NXT takes over Bridgeport!

The milestone 25th TakeOver event is here! With all the NXT gold on the line and even literally up for grabs, who walks away on top of the brand?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Matt Riddle VS Roderick Strong; Riddle wins.
• NXT Tag Team Championships Ladder Match: The Street Profits VS The Forgotten Sons VS Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS The Undisputed Era; The Street Profits win and become the new NXT Tag Team Champions.
• NXT North American Championship: Velveteen Dream VS Tyler Breeze; Dream wins and retains the NXT North American Championship.
• NXT Women’s Championship: Shayna Baszler w/ The Horsewomen VS Io Shirai w/ Candice LeRae; Baszler wins and retains the NXT Women’s Championship.
• NXT Championship: Johnny Gargano VS Adam Cole; Cole wins and becomes the new NXT Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the NXT TakeOver Preshow!

Just five years and NXT has grown so much! Join Charly Caruso, Sam Roberts and Pat McAfee as they look back at history and prepare for tonight’s historic milestone event!

Tommaso Ciampa joins the Preshow panel!

The Psycho Killer is back! And fans duel between his best frenemy, “Johnny Wrestling!” and “Adam Cole!” But then fans give Ciampa cheers and he gets on the table! Ciampa pats himself on the back and fans cheer him more. Ciampa says he’s half Black Heart, half Wolverine. He’s on his way back, and Goldie will belong to “Big Daddy Ciampa” once again. But if anyone is going to hold onto the belt while Ciampa is away, it’s Gargano. Gargano changes when a TakeOver comes around. Ciampa will watch very closely that it takes a certain kind of main to crawl his way to the top, but it takes a different kind of man to stay on top.

But Ciampa isn’t making a prediction, he’ll just be going after whoever comes out of it. He’s not saying he wants Gargano or Cole as an opponent, just know that he’ll be champion soon after his return.

From Orlando, Florida to the entire world, NXT knows how to take over.

There have been chants from “This is Awesome!” to “This is Wrestling!” to “Fight Forever!” But in the end, TakeOver isn’t about money or fame, but the passion to be the best! History is made, as are stars and icons. #WeAreNXT, and we are only just getting started!

An epic championship match gets a sequel! Two inspired dreamers fight for the spotlight. A genius looks to kick a queen’s ass. And an Era looks to be golden, “and that is Undisputed.”

Matt Riddle VS Roderick Strong!

The Bro is far from his jovial self as he goes up against the Savior of the Backbreaker tonight. Strong got back in the good graces of the Undisputed Era by attacking Riddle from behind and even stealing a sandal. Will Riddle make Strong regret ever coming up with that move?

Riddle kicks his flip-flops at Strong as fans fire up for this match. The bell rings, the lights come down, and we begin!

Riddle and Strong grapple and Strong gets control but Riddle slips around to the back. Strong gets up but gets thrown by Riddle! Strong’s up fast and the two tie up again. They both grapple and use that amateur background. Riddle gets Strong to a cover, ONE, but Riddle stays on Strong, wanting the Bromission already! Strong scrambles to the ropebreak, and Riddle lets him go. Fans cheer this opening exchange, and the two go again. Strong powers Riddle to ropes but Riddle has a body scissor block. The ref counts and Strong lets off, only to CHOP Riddle back! Strong rams his shoulder into Riddle in a corner, but Riddle gut wrenches fast!

Riddle holds on to gut wrench suplex Strong again, and a third! Strong bails out and Riddle runs to the apron, but Strong trips him up. Riddle still throws forearms but so does Strong. They brawl and Riddle CHOPS before throwing Strong in. But Strong bails out the other side, only to get a FLYING forearm! Riddle pursues the scrambling Strong to CHOP him and kick him around. Riddle puts Strong on the apron but Strong kicks back. The brawl continues and even goes to the apron. Strong throws body shots but Riddle throws haymakers. Riddle gives muay thai knees but Strong shoves him into a post. Strong drops Riddle with a back suplex to the apron! Riddle writhes but gets up, as does Strong. Strong follows Riddle into the ring and keeps on him with CHOPS!

Fans duel as Strong throws more CHOPS and even forearms. Strong suplexes and hangs Riddle out to dry, Riddle flops to the floor. Strong goes out to fetch Riddle and club him down. He puts Riddle in to cover, TWO! Strong CHOPS Riddle more, then whips. Riddle holds the ropes then breaks free to throw hands. Strong dodges and catches Riddle into a backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Strong keeps on Riddle with pulling hair and clubbing away! Riddle pushes back but Strong throws more hands, then knees the back. Strong pulls Riddle back in a camel clutch. Fans still duel and Riddle still fights. Strong knees low and then drags Riddle to the post. Strong pulls Riddle back in a Bow ‘n’ Arrow! The ref counts and Strong lets up at 4 to CHOP Riddle again.

Strong puts Riddle in and stalks him, but Riddle chops back! Riddle punches from the mat, but Strong clubs him down. Cover, TWO! Strong drags Riddle up but Riddle fights back again. Riddle throws elbows and palm strikes! Strong blocks the kick but gets hands! Riddle cradles Strong, TWO! Strong knees low, then hits the Olympic Slam! Cover, TWO!! Riddle lives but Strong keeps on him. Strong powerbomb lifts to the Canadian rack, but Riddle slips out! Riddle wants the Bromission but Strong escapes and kicks. But Riddle suplexes Strong for a brain buster! Strong staggers up and the brawling continues. Riddle strikes, boots and roundhouses! Leaping forearm, PELE! Riddle kips up and runs in for a forearm smash! He runs the other way for another! EXPLODER!

Riddle runs but misses the kick, Strong evades the moonsault but not the Bro-ton! The Penalty Kick hits this time! Cover, TWO! Strong survives the rush and fans fire up. Riddle gets up first, stalks Strong and waistlocks him. Strong slips out but gets Bro Kicks! Riddle kicks more and more and more, and hits the buzzsaw! Strong flounders up but dodges the next kick to fireman’s carry. Riddle slips out but Strong knees him first. Strong spins but into Riddle’s fireman’s carry! Bro To Sleep! German Suplex, with bridge, TWO!! Strong survives and Riddle is beside himself. Riddle keeps on Strong with stomps and then drags Strong up for forearms. Riddle scoops and slams but Strong boots Riddle back. Strong walks into Riddle’s boot, but then enziguris Riddle up top! Strong climbs up to join Riddle, SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Riddle still lives and Strong grows frustrated.

Strong stands up first and heads back to Riddle. Riddle hits back and the brawl is on again. Strong throws forearms from both sides, ducks a roundhouse and rocks Riddle again. Riddle slips through to powerbomb but his back gives out! Strong boots, enziguris, and then runs in to shining wizard Riddle on ropes! Forearm after forearm after forearm, STRONG SLAM!! Cover, TWO?! Riddle survives and the fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” Strong staggers to his feet and drags Riddle around. He goes to turn Riddle for the Strong Hold, but Riddle boots Strong away! Strong ends up on the outside but gets back in, only to miss a knee. Riddle roundhouses and Bro-Triggers! Deadlift to POWERBOMB! Final Flash Knee! Cover, TWO!? Strong survives that?!

Riddle drags Strong to a drop zone and moonsaults, onto knees!! Strong smashes with another knee! Fireman’s carry to a gutbuster! But not just that, Tiger Bomb! Cover, TWO!?! STRONG HOLD!! Riddle endures as Strong sits down deep! Fans are thunderous as Riddle turns things back over. Strong turns it back but gets a knee into the back for a Lion Tamer! Riddle still endures, turns, and kicks Strong over and over. Strong swings but into elbows! BROMISSION!! Strong tries everything he can, but Riddle shifts to just elbow away on Strong again and again. Strong grabs the arm! The two stand, but Riddle keeps elbowing! Gut wrench, Gotch hold, cradle tombstone!! Cover, Riddle wins!!

Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall

The Bro gives a shout out to Jerry Lynn with that finish! Riddle gives TakeOver: XXV an incredible start, and things already look iffy for the Undisputed Era. Will Strong’s stablemates make up for Strong’s loss?

NXT Tag Team Championships Ladder Match: The Street Profits VS The Forgotten Sons VS Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS The Undisputed Era!

The titles are vacant and literally hang in the balance! The Raid has moved on, but now it’s time for someone to step up. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford want to finally cash-in. Wesley Blake & Steve Cutler want to be remembered. The Brit-Am Brawlers want to finally hold some gold. And Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly want to again be undisputed tag team champions! Who reaches new heights to be on top of the entire NXT Tag Team Division?

The introductions are made, with the Profits in new blue and gold ring gear and with the Forgotten Sons tempting luck by going under a ladder. Lorcan & Burch keep it simple while the Undisputed Era’s reDRagon look to be the first-ever three-time NXT Tag Team Champions. The bell rings, and we begin this massive match!

All eight men look up at the belt, and then it sparks into a fight! Four different brawls go all over the ring. Cutler & Blake drag Lorcan & Burch out while reDRagon throws Dawkins out. Fish & O’Reilly focus on Ford with double whips and kicks! Cutler returns but he gets kicks and palm strikes and knees from O’Reilly! O’Reilly sweeps and Fish fights with Blake. Fish dragon screws Blake out, then reDRagon mugs Cutler. They double whip but Lorcan dumps Cutler out. Lorcan and Burch throw hands with reDRagon! They go back and forth, then criss-cross. Lorcan CHOPS Fish, but O’Reilly catches Lorcan’s kick for Fish to kick the leg. Burch headbutts O’Reilly but O’Reilly kicks back. Fish forearms Burch but Lorcan CHOPS Fish and O’Reilly!

O’Reilly grabs the arm, Fish knees and O’Reilly sweeps. O’Reilly throws Burch out, and then boots Dawkins down. Fans cheer as reDRagon hurries for ladders. They get a couple ladders over to ringside, but settle on one. Only for Blake to DIVE the ladder into them!! Fans lose their minds over the double-edge risk Blake just took! Cutler drags two ladders over but gets blaseted by Lorcan’s uppercut! Burch and Lorcan drag Cutler up for more uppercuts, but Blake fights back. The teams brawl, but Dawkins runs and LEAPS onto them all! The Curse of Greatness wipes them all out! Fans fire up with Dawkins, and he and Ford regroup. The Profits get a ladder up and in and are all alone as they set it up! Both climb but reDRagon stops them both.

O’Reilly and Fish climb but Blake shoves the ladder over! O’Reilly lands ON the ladder! The Forgotten Sons get in and get the ladder back up, and ram Lorcan with it! And Burch! But the Profits return, to get bulldozed! And so does reDRagon! Lorcan & Burch return, but they edge dodge the Forgotten Sons, to double German Suplex them! The ladder goes flying at ropes! Everyone is down but the fans are losing their minds all over again! O’Reilly drags himself out while Lorcan & Burch flounder to their feet. But the Profits take them out with an exploder suplex, and a whip to a SPINEBUSTER! Ford climbs up and gives Burch a FROG SPLASH! The fans are thunderous as the Profits grab a ladder. They ram Blake with it, then set him on it. Dawkins makes it a bridge, for Ford’s Leap Frog!

Blake tumbles out and Cutler runs in, for a double flapjack on the ladder! But Dawkins builds another bridge! Fish intercepts Ford, O’Reilly missile dropkicks Dawkins! But O’Reilly still hits ladder! Even so, reDRagon powers through to give Ford the butterfly wheelbarrow DDT! And suplex to the ladder! Fans know “This is Awesome!” while also losing their minds. O’Reilly and Fish drag the ladder up and ram Dawkins with it. They set the ladder up but Lorcan returns. Fish hits Lorcan, then kicks Burch. But Cutler comes around back, only for Fish to body check! O’Reilly falls and hits his jaw! O’Reilly tells Fish to go up instead, and then tackles Blake! Fish reaches, but Blake powerbombs O’Reilly into the ladder!! “They killed Kyle!”

Everyone is down again as fans chant “Mamma Mia!” Cutler puts the ladder in a corner and regroups with Blake. They grab a second ladder as well as Fish. Blake bumps Fish on buckles while Cutler sets the other ladder over O’Reilly. Cutler climbs and Blake keeps guard. But O’Reilly trips Cutler up! It’s a kneebar through the rungs! Cutler taps but that doesn’t matter! Blake stomps O’Reilly out and drags him away to throw him out. Cutler climbs again but Fish kicks him! Blake goes after Fish, and the Sons give Fish Memories Remain! Blake and Cutler climb up together, but Burch and Dawkins stop them with double electric chairs! Lorcan returns, and they give Cutler a EuroUpper Doomsday! Ford returns to give Blake the Blockbuster Doomsday! The fans are at a fever pitch over this newest tag team classic!

O’Reilly crawls to the ladder, bad back and all! Fans cheer for O’Reilly, but is that… That’s Jaxson Ryker! The Gunner is not dead, even after what happened on last Wednesday! Ryker grabs O’Reilly and drags him off, to powerbomb him on the other ladder! Ryker choke slams Burch! And tosses Ford way out! Fish runs into an urenage! Dawkins climbs but Ryker spots him. Ryker tips the ladder and dumps Dawins down! Fans boo as Ryker resets the ladder, to then ram it into Dawkins! And again, and again, and again! But Ryker turns around to see Lorcan, and back drop him on the ladder!! Ryker stands alone amidst the carnage. Fans say “We Forgot You!” but he doesn’t care. Ryker stands the ladder back up, but Ford attacks! Only to get clobbered.

O’Reilly returns to throw hands! As does Fish! Fans fire up for reDRagon as they go after Ryker! Burch and the Profits do, too! Lorcan brings in yet another ladder, and oddly enough, the other three teams work together to SLAM Ryker with it over and over and over! BUt then it’s right back to their own fight! Fish and O’Reilly clear the ring of the other teams, but Ryker is still stirring. O’Reilly says they need to end him, so he and Fish ram Ryker right off the apron! But Ryker still stands?! Ford FLIES over reDRagon to wipe him out!! But Ryker sits up again! Lorcan dodges the ladder to DIVE onto Ryker! Dawkins gets rammed by reDRagon! Burch climbs and dropkicks the ladder into reDRagon! Lorcan regroups with Burch to keep on Fish, arm wrench to running uppercut! Then they throw Fish into the post!

Burch clotheslines and kicks O’Reilly, then feeds him to Lorcan for the Half ‘n’ Half! Blake returns but he gets haymakers. Dawkins and Cutler get the ladder, as does Ford. Burch and Lorcan have a ladder each, and they sandwich the Profits! Then Lorcan and Burch TOSS a ladder at the Forgotten Sons in full! Burch and Lorcan are alone, and they stand a ladder up! They both climb, but Fish and O’Reilly return. Fish and O’Reilly kick them off the ladder, then get a ladder of their own. Fish and O’Reilly climb but Lorcan and Burch follow. The two teams brawl side-by-side on the pair of ladders. Lorcan falls, leaving Burch alone with reDRagon. But Lorcan returns from the other side and stops O’Reilly from reaching. Lorcan grabs but Fish stops him.

The four men brawl fast and furious way up high! But the Sons return to tip them all!! They shove one ladder out hard, then climb the other! But Dawkins SPEARS Cutler! Ford springboards to join Blake and punch him down!! The Profits climb and WIN!!

Winners: The Street Profits; NEW NXT Tag Team Champions

They did it! They finally have the gold! Ford and Dawkins win big in their TakeOver debut! And now they celebrate with the fans! Will the Profits only grow bigger now that they’re golden?

NXT North American Championship: Velveteen Dream VS Tyler Breeze!

The Patrick Clark Experience wants to see if Prince Pretty remembers what it was like to be in the spotlight. Breeze wants to recapture those gorgeous glory days by capturing his first ever title in the entirety of WWE. Who wins this #GorgeousDream match?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised and we begin!

Fans duel as Dream takes off the jacket and gloves, to throw them at Breeze! Breeze applauds the classic move. Dream and Breeze hear the fans duel as they pace. Breeze and Dream tie up and go around, and Dream gets the wristlock. Dream shifts to a hammerlock but Breeze turns it around. They go around and Breeze wants the Unprettier, but Dream gets clear. Dream seems shocked so Breeze lounges on the ropes. Breeze keeps Dream way with a “no no no” foot. Dream yanks him off but Breeze kicks and shoulders back. Breeze straitjackets an arm and brings Dream sideways into a backstabber! Cover, TWO!

Dream gets away but Breeze clotheslines him out hard. Fans cheer for Prince Pretty as he builds speed, only to run into a haymaker! Dream elbows and ax handles Breeze down! Dream springboards, Lionsault! Cover, TWO! Breeze bails out but Dream pursues. Dream puts Breeze in then climbs up, but Breeze bails out again. Dream hops down and Breeze trips him up! Breeze yanks Dream into the post, and swings a leg into it! Then hits a flying forearm off the apron! Fans fire up for this new gritty yet still gorgeous side of Breeze. Breeze aims at Dream and leaps, but into a big haymaker! Dream leaves Breeze behind for the ring count. Breeze returns at 3 but gets scooped. Breeze slips out and shoves Dream. Dream goes up and over but his knee jams, and Breeze rolls him to a Half Crab!

Breeze sits deep on the hold but Dream flails with his long limbs. Dream grits his teeth and heads for ropes to get the ropebreak. Breeze holds on until 4 then comes back at Dream in a corner. Dream SLAPS Breeze, so Breeze stomps a pretty mudhole into Dream! Breeze starts throwing ugly haymakers, and then dropkicks Dream right out of the ring! Fans cheer as Breeze glares and pursues after Dream. Dream dodges and SUPERKICKS Breeze! Dream gets back in the ring and lets the count begin. Breeze stirs at 4 but Dream decides to stop the count. Dream fetches Breeze to bump him off the desk! And again! And again! Dream shows no mercy to Breeze! The referee stops him but Dream is all fired up. Dream goes to the timekeeper’s area to get his belt, and Breeze’s phone? Dream takes that selfie now! “Say cheese!”

Dream hears the ring count and just plays along. Fans cheer for Dream, but Dream turns into a SUPER(MODEL)KICK from Breeze! Dream staggers into the ring and Breeze gets in, but gets the Dream Valley Driver! Cover, TWO!! Dream gets to a corner and climbs, but Breeze rolls to the apron. Dream storms over but Breeze slips under, and then enziguri! Fans cheer both men as they slowly stand. Breeze goes up top and Dream staggers over into a crossbody! But Dream rolls through to cover, TWO! Dream trips Breeze and rolls to a fireman’s carry, but Breeze slips out. Breeze shoves Dream but the kick is blocked. Dream grabs Breeze but Breeze slips out of the Dream-DT for a SUPER(MODEL)KICK! Cover, TWO!! Dream survives but Breeze is too tired to be frustrated.

Fans duel again as Breeze stalks Dream. Dream resists and back suplexes but Breeze lands on his feet. Breeze grabs the arms again but Dream rams him into buckles. Dream elbows but Breeze throws Dream back. Breeze walks into a boot, and Dream hops up, to get a dropkick! Breeze turns Dream but Dream slips out for the Dream-DT! Cover, TWO?! Breeze survives and Dream is shocked! Breeze has a bloody ear but fans rally for him and Dream. Dream goes for a corner but Breeze anchors his feet. Dream clubs Breeze off then climbs. But Breeze trips Dream up! Dream coughs and gasps but Breeze drags him out, only for Dream to toss him off! Dream hobbles over but into a big knee! Breeze and Dream slowly stand and fans duel again.

Breeze scoops but Dream slips out to pull Breeze up. But Breeze does the same, only for Dream to do it, too! Breeze slips out and shoves Dream, but Dream elbows. Dream fakes Breeze out, leap to the jackknife to the fireman’s carry! But he pops Breeze out for the UNPRETTIER! Cover, TWO!! Dream stole Breeze’s move but Breeze still survives! Dream drags himself back to a corner and fans fire up as he climbs. Purple Rain KNEES! Dream writhes and rolls, and walks into a flapjack. But Dream lands on the ropes! But Breeze tucks him in for a cheeky SUPER(MODEL)KICK! Breeze turns Dream around for UNPRETTIER! Cover, TWO!?! Breeze can’t believe how close that was, and neither can fans!

Breeze grits his teeth as he goes back to Dream. He drags Dream up but Dream is dead weight. Breeze still gets Dream up, to get a cradle counter! TWO, BEAUTY SHOT! But Dream flops out of the ring! Breeze was again so close yet so far! The ring count begins but Breeze fetches Dream. Breeze drags Dream but he’s dead weight all over again. Breeze stands Dream up at 5 but Dream flops back over. Prince Pretty has no choice but to refresh the count, but Dream goes to hit him with the belt! Breeze blocks the belt shot, but then Dream scopos for Dream Valley! And then PURPLE RAIN!! Cover, Dream wins!!

Winner: Velveteen Dream, by pinfall; still NXT North American Champion

The Experience survives, though he did try to play a little dirty. Will the Purple Reign continue through the Summer? Will Prince Pretty come back for another try? Or will someone else step up to share Dream’s spotlight?

Dream has Breeze’s phone and takes selfie vids of himself. Breeze sees this, and Dream says that while the phone belongs to Breeze, the belt belongs to him. But Breeze keeps Dream from leaving. Fans want a “Selfie! Selfie!” and so does Breeze. Dream considers it, and accepts! The two take a selfie of sportsmanship! Is this the last we’ve seen of this #GorgeousDream?

NXT Women’s Championship: Shayna Baszler VS Io Shirai!

The Queen of Spades has made challenger after challenger #TapNaporSnap. From Ember Moon to Nikki Cross to Bianca Belair to Kairi Sane, Shayna’s reign of terror has been tested but not ended. At least, not for long. But the Genius of the Sky didn’t want to kick Shayna’s ass until Shayna tried to put Kairi out of commission. The Horsewomen have Shayna’s back, but Mrs. Wrestling has Shirai’s. Will Shirai win one for Kairi? Or will the Queen keep her throne by any means necessary?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin!

Shirai rushes Shayna! But Shayna turns it around to snapmare and fake a kick to instead toy with Shirai. Shirai gets up and goes at Shayna again. They end up in the corner and Shirai lets up, only for Shayna to snapmare and fake her out again. Shayna has the hammerlock but Shirai rolls and sweeps the legs. Shirai snapmares Shayna now, but Shirai fakes Shayna out, to SLAP her! Fans like that one! Shayna gets up but Shirai redirects her for slaps and a takedown. Shirai drops a basement dropkick! Shayna bails out but Shirai runs. Shayna gets clear, but still gets a baseball slide! Shirai pursues, dragging Shayna up and into the ring. Shirai climbs and kicks Shayna away, but Shayna yanks her off anyhow!

Shayna kicks Shirai’s arm! And hammerlocks it again! Shirai tries to kick back but Shayna shoves her down, for that #RealityCheck hammerlock stomp!! That’s been Shayna’s MO since hurting Dakota Kai almost a year ago! Shirai clutches her arm while Shayna soaks up the heat. Shayna stalks Shirai to ropes. Shayna drags Shirai up and wristlocks that arm. Shirai endures even as Shayna bends the fingers. Shirai rolls Shayna, ONE, and Shayna LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Shayna just grins as she goes after the arm again. Shayna stands on Shirai’s head and twists the wrist. The ref counts but Shayna lets up at 4. Shayna yanks the arm! Shirai clutches her arm as she crawls to a corner. Shirai kicks but Shayna kicks her back. Shayna double wristlocks and suplexes Shirai. Shayna drops elbows on Shirai, then bends Shirai in a modified Bow ‘n’ Arrow.

Fans rally for Shirai and she spins out of the hold. Shayna whips but Shirai ducks and waistlocks. Shayna breaks the grip and wrings Shirai out. She sits Shirai up for a swift kick to the back! Cover, TWO!! Shayna is a bit surprised but she goes after Shirai’s bad arm again. Fans rally up and Shirai endures. Shayna wants a second Reality Check, but Shirai dodges! Shirai dodges the Penalty Kick, too, then throws hands with her good arm. Shirai dodges in a corner, and manages a German Suplex! But she can’t hold the bridge because of the other arm! Shayna is dazed but her evil scheme is working. Fans rally up and Shirai throws CHOPS and a fast ball on Shayna! Shayna rolls to ropes but gets the 619! Shirai aims at Shayna and springboards for a missile dropkick! Cover, TWO!

Shirai won’t let her bad arm slow her down as she drags Shayna up. Shayna throws forearms, but Shirai baits her into a takedown! Crossface! Shayna endures as Shirai just holds her bad arm by the wrist. But Shayna powers out to sidewalk slam Shirai down! Both women are down but fans are loving this. Shirai crawls but Shayna stalks. Fans actually duel as Shayna drags Shirai up by her hair! For a hanging keylock! But Shirai fights free! Shirai climbs up behind Shayna, springboar dropkick sends Shayna crashing down! Shirai fires up more, and goes to another corner. She climbs up for a SUPER ASAI MOONSAULT!! Fans are thunderous as the Genius wipes out the Queen and herself!

Both women are down on the outside, but Shirai is up first. Shirai throws Shayna back in, climbs up again, and leaps for another missile dropkick! Shirai goes corner to corner for Meteora in the corner! She walks over Shayna to climb again, but here come the Horsewomen. But same for Candice LeRae! Candice SMACKS away on Marina and Jessamyn with a kendo stick! Candice will not be held back, she leaps and wipes them both out! Shirai cheers her new friend for that, but walks itn oa cradle! TWO!! Shirai throws furious forearms, but gets a kick! Kirafuda Klutch! But Shirai fights out and SHOTEI! Then she climbs, for the Asai! But she lands on her feet when Shayna dodges! Kirafuda Klutch, but Shirai rolls through, TWO!! BUZZSAW! La Majistrol, Japanese Clutch! TWO, into the Klutch!

Shirai flails, reaches, scrambles and claws, and even sits up. Shayna holds on tight but Shirai still fights! Shayna grabs a leg and then thrashes around. Shirai flails and fades, but she gets a second wind thanks to the fans rallying behind her! But that second wind goes out, and she taps!! Shayna wins!!

Winner: Shayna Baszler, by submission; still NXT Women’s Champion

The Genius came so close, but the Queen still reigns! Will Shayna ever be dethroned from atop the NXT Women’s Division?

But wait! Just because she lost doesn’t mean Shirai’s out of the fight! She grabs what’s left of Candice’s kendo stick and SMACKS Shayna from behind! This is not the “snap” Shayna expected! Shayna pokes and jabs and SMACKS Shayna more, then finally hits her ASAI MOONSAULT! And then she tells Candice to get something from under the ring. A chair!? Shirai takes that chair, and brings it with her in a second moonsault!! Fans are loving how hardcore Shirai has become! Fans want “One More Time!” but in a way, so does Shirai. The fans also tell Shayna, “You Deserve It!” Will Shirai take the fight to Shayna for a Summer blockbuster?

NXT Championship: Johnny Gargano VS Adam Cole!

At NXT TakeOver: New York, these two had an amazing Best 2 Out of 3 Falls match to crown a new champion. Now #JohnnyTripleCrown and the Undisputed Era’s charismatic leader will go one more time to prove to everyone the reality of the championship. Who walks out of this historic night THE NXT Champion?

Adam Cole has Mr. Wrestle & Flow himself, Josiah Williams, rapping for his entrance, “BAYBAY!” Gargano’s entrance isn’t quite as epic, but his Captain Marvel inspired gear is definitely on point. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Gargano’s historic 14th TakeOver appearance begins!

Fans duel as the two stare down. They eventually just settle for cheering on “NXT! NXT!” for giving us this sequel. Gargano and Cole slowly circle, then approach. They tie up and Gargano puts Cole on ropes but Cole turns it around, repeat. The ref counts for a break and Gargano lets up and dodges Cole’s sucker punch. Gargano headlocks but Cole powers out, only for Gargano to run him over. Gargano keeps going and drops down, but Cole runs him over. Things keep moving, Gargano leaps but into a fireman’s carry. He slips around to a sunset flip but Cole escapes and runs. Gargano knows what’s coming and dodges the Last Shot shining wizard!

The two sit up and stare down. Cole swings into a roll but scrambles out before it’s a GargaNo Escape. Fans fire up while Cole takes a moment to breathe. Gargano waits for Cole, and even holds the rope down for him. Cole refuses that and gets in at the ring count of 8 from the other side. Cole and Gargano circle again and tie up. Gargano goes for a headlock but Cole reverses with a wristlock. Fans still duel as Cole wrenches more. Gargano spins and turns it around on Cole, then brings Cole to the mat. Gargano pulls Cole in the modified neck vice. Cole throws Gargano off but Gargano keeps hold for a crucifix. Cole slips out again but Gargano wants the crossface! But Cole gets out and forearms Gargano hard! Gargano hits back and now it’s a brawl.

Cole kicks but Gargano fires off. Cole knees and puts Gargano in a corner for stomps. The ref backs Cole off, but he comes back to wrench and whip Gargano corner to corner. Gargano goes up and over and rolls to then push and huricanrana Cole out. Gargano slingshots but Cole gets clear. Cole swings but Gargano avoids the sweep. Gargano leaps but Cole avoids the knees. Cole boots but Gargano dodges to kick. Cole blocks that but Gargano gets away to apron cannonball! Gargano takes Cole down and a ring count finally begins. Gargano hobbles over to Cole to put him in the ring. But Cole rolls all the way out to the other end. Gargano pursues but sees the Pele coming! He gets clear and lets Cole flop onto the ground. Cole gets up, to get a kick and double stomps to his arm!

Cole writhes and clutches that arm as the ref checks on him. Gargano drags Cole up and puts him on the apron. Gargano slams the bad arm on the apron then gets back in the ring. Fans duel again as Gargano drags Cole up. Gargano wrenches the arm to a shoulder breaker, then snapmares Cole to drop a leg on the arm. Gargano has the arm trapped while covering, TWO! He tries again, TWO! Gargano turns Cole over and ties up the legs into an Indian Deathlock! Gargano bends Cole back like a House of Pain, but Cole turns over, so Gargano splashes the arm. Cole crawls but Gargano brings him up. Cole kicks and hops up, but Gargano kicks him back. Gargano climbs to join Cole and grabs the bad arm. Cole slips out to SUPERKICK the legs out! Gargano falls from that Charlie Horse!

Cole gets up and bumps Gargano off buckles. Cole puts a leg on the ropes to stomp away, then dropkick Gargano down. Gargano clutches his leg but Cole is all over it with a leg DDT! Cole drags Gargano around to push on that knee. Gargano endures the kneebar as fans rally up. Gargano kicks with his free leg but Cole ax handles Gargano down. Cole stomps Gargano then dargs him up. Gargano throws haymakers but Cole kicks the leg out. Cole hops up and leaps to missile dropkick that knee! Gargano crawls away but Cole drags him back up. Cole dragon screws the leg! Fans duel as Cole stalks Gargano again. Cole drags Gargano up and puts him in a corner. He puts that bad leg on the ropes to stomp away. The ref reprimands Cole and Cole lets up at 4, but Gargano is down on the mat.

Cole drags Gargano up and wants another screw, but Gargano throws forearms. Cole trips Gargano for a Figure Four but Gargano cradle counters! TWO, and Cole kicks out the bad leg again. Cole hops up and leaps, but into a powerbomb! Both men are down but fans still duel. Gargano crawls to ropes while Cole stands up. Cole throws a forearm but Gargano gives one back. They brawl back and forth, Gargano dodges the kick to wrench. Cole whips but Gargano comes back to rally with lariats! Gargano throws Cole overhead! Gargano rolls Cole for the school boy kick! Then hits a swinging enziguri! Gargano rolls Cole and hops up to leap, flying complete shot! Cover, TWO! Cole survives but Gargano hobbles after.

Cole puts Gargano on the apron but Gargano hits back. Gargano goes to slingshot, but stops when he sees Cole show superkick. Cole runs over but into another kick. Gargano slingshot spears this time! Cover, TWO! Gargano still works on his bad leg, and goes after Cole in a corner with CHOPS! He hoists Cole up top and climbs up to join him. Gargano stands Cole up but cole fights back. Cole bumps Gargano on buckles, but Gargano blocks the sunset flip. Cole still gets up and over and then dodges the counter punch. Gargano kicks Cole away, then leaps back, into a backstabber! Cover, TWO!! Cole keeps his cool as he walks it off.

Cole drags Gargano back up but Gargano resists more. Gargano fights out of the suplex but his leg jams. Cole runs in but Gargano goes up and over, only to get caught. Gargano fights out and hops up but Cole slips out the back, only to get a kick. Cole comes back with a PELE! Cole brings Gargano up in a torture rack, for an inverted Ushigoroshi! Cover, TWO!! Gargano still has that superhuman heart and Cole grows frustrated. Cole gets to a corner and hops up as fans duel again. Gargano crawls over and anchors Cole’s foot. Cole clubs Gargano down and leaps, but Gargano gets under.

Gargano and Cole collide with clotheslines and forearms. They both show superkick and hesitate. Cole SUPERKICKS first, but Gargano SUPERKICKS next! Cole fakes Gargano out to get another SUPERKICK! Gargano drops to his knees and Cole leaps, into a SUPERKICK! Cole flops out of the ring but so does Gargano, and fans fire back up. Fans love “NXT! NXT!” as both men come crawling around the corners. Gargano glares at Cole and vice-versa. DOUBLE SUPERKICKS take both men out! “This is Awesome!” A ring count begins but both men barely stir. They start heading for the ring at 6, and get to the apron at 8. Cole is in at 8, Gargano slingshot DDT’s! Cover, TWO!! Gargano was clever but Cole survives.

Gargano grabs Cole and gets a full nelson. Cole ropebreaks but Gargano kicks the arm away. Fans hope they “Fight Forever!” as Gargano avoids a chop block to give double stomps! Gargano aims at Cole, but Cole bails out. Gargano goes to the apron but gets a PELE to the leg! Cole gives Gargano a Last Shot 1.0! They go in the ring, Cole drags Gargano up for a Fisherman Ushigoroshi! Cover, TWO!! Gargano still survives, and Cole grows frustrated. Cole gets up and to the corner again. Gargano swings a kick but gets caught! But then he arm-drags Cole off hard! Tilt-o-Whirl, GargaNO ESCAPE!! Cole endures, pries his way up and to the bad leg! Figure Four Leg Lock!! Gargano endures the legendary hold as Cole pulls harder.

Fans rally and duel as Gargano ends up in a cover. TWO, and he goes to turn the hold. Cole pulls back the other way, and Gargano is in another cover. TWO but Gargano isn’t out of the leglock. Gargano grabs Cole’s hand and pulls on the bad wrist! He uses that for leverage into the reversal! Cole grabs the ropes for the ropebreak! The ref helps untangle them, but the damage has been down. Fans rally up as Cole and Gargano get their limbs working again. The two stare down, and Cole lunges! But into Gargano’s elbows! Gargano wrenches but gets haymakers from Cole. Gargano kicks Cole but Cole hammers away. Cole has the leg and smashes the knee! Cole pulls Gargano’s knee pads off to kick directly at the joint. Fans still duel as Cole goes at the leg again.

Gargano shoves Cole out, then catches him when he returns, draping DDT! A shout out to Ciampa! Cole falls out of the ring but Gargano builds speed, to DIVE, into a SUPERKICK! Gargano crashes and burns and fans lose their minds! Gargana flounders to his feet but Cole gives him the PANAMA SUNRISE!! Cole destroys Gargano with a destroyer to the floor! He puts Gargano in the ring while fans again lose their minds. Cover, TWO!?! Even this is insane for Gargano’s inhuman heart. Fans shout “Mamma Mia!” for that. Cole grits his teeth as he grabs Gargano again. “Johnny, it’s over for you.” Gargano had his moment, now it’s time for Cole’s! Cole takes the knee pad down, runs, but Gargano dodges! GargaNo Escape, escaped and STOLEN!! Cole has Gargano’s hold on Gargano!

But Gargano pops out, rolls back, and steals the Last Shot!! Cover, TWO!?! Now Cole shocks us with his resilience! Fans are loving this all the more! Gargano and Cole crawl towards each other, and fans still hope they “Fight Forever!” Cole throws a forearm but Gargano gives it back. They go back and forth as they stand, and faster and faster! Gargano gets an edge but he gets a BOOT! And then another! And a third! But Gargano comes back with a LARIAT! Gargano gets up, but gets Cole’s SUPERKICK! Cole runs but gets Gargano’s SUPERKICK! Gargano hops up, Reverse-Rana! But Cole is on his feet, and hits a Last Shot!! Cover, TWO!?! Gargano still survives! And the fans are at a fever pitch! Cole looks like he’s losing his mind now.

Cole argues with the ref, and goes to the outside. He gets a chair! The ref tells Cole to drop the chair but Cole doesn’t care. So the ref grabs the chair, only for Gargano to DIVE! But Gargano gets the ref instead of Cole! And now, Cole swings! But Gargano dodges and SUPERKICKS the chair into Cole’s face! Gargano puts Cole in the ring and covers, but the ref is out! The fans count past 10 but it doesn’t matter because the ref has to do it. Gargano hobbles to help the ref, but of course Cole has help of his own. Cole waves, and Gargano prepares for the Undisputed Era. But when the Era doesn’t appear, Gargano goes to the ring. Cole gets Gargano with a draping piledriver!! Cover, TWO?!? Cole is at his wit’s end. But fans know “This is Awesome!”

Cole sits Gargano up and runs, but Gargano just flops over. Gargano denies Last Shot just by not being able to do anything. Cole makes Gargano sit up again, but gets caught in GargaNO Escape! And Gargano uses his own leg to prop up the other! Cole crawls for ropes but Gargano rolls him away! Cole elbows the bad leg over and over and over until he’s free! He mule kicks the leg over and over, then hosp up again, PANAMA- Gargano sits down! TWO, roll, and Gargano can’t get up. PANAMA SUNRISE!! LAST, SHOT!! Cover, Cole wins!!

Winner: Adam Cole, by pinfall; NEW NXT Champion

It took more than either man has ever given before, but the champion is now Undisputed! The champion is now ADAM COLE BAYBAY! And the rest of the Era celebrates with him! Is the Undisputed Prophecy finally beginning? Is Cole’s reign the beginning of his team #DrippingInGold?

My Thoughts:

NXT does it again! The 25th TakeOver was definitely on the level you’d expect for something as momentous, but it still had some things it could’ve improved on. We didn’t get as many guests as I thought for the preshow, but it was great to see Ciampa, have him plug story with the title, and give us hope of seeing him in the near future. I was surprised they opened the show with Riddle VS Strong but hot damn did it deliver like every other TakeOver opener. If fans weren’t impressed with either guy before, they better sure be impressed now. And it was good for everyone involved for Riddle to win. Riddle lost to Dream last time, he deserves a win this time, and Strong losing adds to the story of the Undisputed Era struggling to get where they want to be.

Then we go into the tag ladder match, and WOW that was crazy stuff! It’s like they saw the Men’s MITB Ladder match and said, “We can get way more brutal.” And judging from Kyle’s bod, they did. But it was the perfect choice for it to be the Street Profits. Fans love those guys so much, and they’ve been red hot since their return. And now the story can be about them retaining with there still being plenty of teams wanting the belts, such as reDRagon. Speaking of retaining, Dream VS Breeze was great, and reestablishes that Breeze knows how to go. The only problem Breeze had on the main roster was Vince, but honestly, that’s everyone’s problem. But Breeze has stuck it out and kudos for him putting on a great match. Hopefully Dijakovic recovers to try next, but maybe “Damien Priest”/Punishment Martinez gets a shot.

I was surprised Shayna retained. I really felt like tonight on the 25th TakeOver, another status quo change should’ve happened. Shirai was going into this with such fire as the vengeful Face, and I was happy to see Candice have her bit with the Horsewomen the way I pictured. Still would’ve meant more if Candice didn’t talk to Shirai about it. Shayna finds a way to win, but obviously everyone loved Shirai’s attack afterward. I hope this leads to an NXT Women’s Extreme Rules or something to that effect, and that’s how Shayna loses the belt. And of course, quite the surprise but still done in epic fashion, Gargano loses to Cole for a NEW NXT Champion to cap off this milestone night. It was like they blended the New York match into one epic fall, and now the story moves to the Undisputed Era truly trying to be #DrapedInGold.

My Score: 8.9/10