Aleister Black grows more battle-tested by the week. In the latest example, the Dutch destroyer narrowly overcame NXT newcomer Kyle O’Reilly, a world-famous combatant whose unannounced arrival sent Full Sail University into a frenzy.
But before their epic encounter got underway, Black had another Superstar to deal with: Hideo Itami. Itami had commandeered the ring to decry what he believed to be a lack of respect toward him. As Black entered the ring for his scheduled match, Itami initially conceded the squared circle but then tried to jump Black from behind, only to be laid out with Black Mass.
With Itami accounted for, at least for the time being, Black reset his focus on O’Reilly. It’s a good thing, too, as O’Reilly was ready to make an immediate impact. He displayed his remarkable grappling skill from the outset, grinding the almost impervious Black into the canvas.
As the match progressed, the feeling-out process gave way to heavy blows and near-submissions. Black stomped O’Reilly with big boots and wicked hits, and O’Reilly fought back with a boa-constrictor-tight front chancery and venomous axe kicks. O’Reilly scored with a big leaping knee strike, too, but Black’s unshakable poise allowed him to remain in the game, and he suddenly swatted O’Reilly with a stunning Black Mass for the three-count.
O’Reilly might have lost in his NXT debut, but following the remarkable contest, neither the NXT faithful, nor Black, will soon forget it.