Before this match, William Regal makes a contract signing between Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. Curtis Axel is out first, he's looking to give his career a jump-start back in NXT. Rich Brennan, Corey Graves, and Jason Albert are on commentary tonight. Finn Balor makes his entrance as Albert says he wants to know what's going on in Balor's mind before a match like this. He also says the long, deliberate entrance is a good way to get into an opponent's head.
CURTIS AXEL VS. FINN BALOR
(#1 contenders tournament quarterfinal)
WWE NXT (21st January 2015)
The bell rings and they lock up. Balor is backed into the ropes and Curtis Axel breaks, in a scrappy way. They lock back up and Balor gets the waistlock but Axel breaks with a back elbow. Curtis Axel gets some rights, but Balor sends him running the ropes before connecting with a dropkick. Finn Balor hits a swan dive over the top rope to Axel on the floor, we get the replay before Balor brings it back into the ring. Balor blocks a right hand on the apron and a pendulum kick stuns Axel. Curtis Axel begs off and kicks Balor in the knee, Finn Balor ducks a clothesline but is hit with another to the back of the head. Curtis covers but only gets 2. He sends Finn Balor into the corner and attacks with kicks and right hands. Curtis Axel hits a running boot and chokes Finn Balor in the corner.
Finn Balor starts to fight back but runs into a dropkick. Curtis Axel elbows the top of Balor's head and applies an INTENSE CHINLOCK! Finn Balor eventually gets to his feet and breaks free, he sends Axel into the ropes but ducks early on a backdrop so Axel gets the knee lift, covering for 2. Curtis Axel starts showing his frustration before getting to the middle rope. He misses the elbow drop and Finn Balor has an opening. He hits running forearms and the pele kick, Slingblade connects! Curtis Axel gets to his feet but a running dropkick sends him into the turnbuckles. Coup de Grace finishes it for Finn Balor.
WINNER: FINN BALOR
This was a good basic match, Curtis Axel was able to look good in losing, getting plenty in the match and only having his own lack of urgency cost him. Finn Balor was able to fight from behind in a fun sprint. They did a good job of not making the match feel rushed, as some of these tournaments can do. – As a match it's **½ but personally I'd rate it 5.5/10
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