After a buzzer-beating tie in last week’s 4-Way Iron Man Match, The Prince and The Panama City Playboy square off to decide a new NXT Champion. Catch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.
Finn Bálor def. Adam Cole to win the NXT Championship
The two longest-reigning NXT Champions in history waged an epic duel to decide the fate of the vacant title. Finn Bálor controlled much of the action with a deliberate, punishing pace, though Adam Cole rallied with a furious string of offensive maneuvers. He later incapacitated The Prince with a massive superkick on the outside, countering Bálor's attempt at a John Woo dropkick.
Bálor appeared to be in dire straits as Cole worked on his knee, applying a Figure-Four Leglock multiple times to inflict serious damage. The Prince fought through the pain to deliver a Coup de Grace, only for Cole to kick out. But Bálor later one-upped his foe, kicking out after being blasted by Cole's Last Shot.
Finally, Bálor found a way to prevail, busting out a massive 1916 DDT from the top rope to become just the third two-time NXT Champion.
The Velveteen Dream def. Ashantee "Thee" Adonis
Ashantee "Thee" Adonis impressed with a fast start against Velveteen Dream, but His Purple Highness claimed victory after spiking him with a Dream Valley Driver. Dream seemed poised to address the NXT Universe, but Kushida attacked him and unveiled a vicious side of his own, locking on a rope-assisted cross armbreaker until officials could peel him away. Nevertheless, Kushida finally gained retribution after Dream assaulted him following a match last month.
Bronson Reed def. Austin Theory
Not even finally stepping into the ring with Bronson Reed was enough to get Austin Theory to stop running his mouth, but All Day eventually paid the price. Theory got overzealous, his body giving way when he tried to hoist The Aus-zilla on his shoulders. Reed took advantage, crushing Theory with the "Tsunami" for the victory.
Roderick Strong def. Killian Dain
Roderick Strong's Undisputed ERA ally Bobby Fish proved to be his ace in the hole, pulling Strong out of the way of Killian Dain's potential top-rope attack. Dain clocked Fish, but it left him vulnerable to a blistering jumping knee strike by Strong to suffer defeat. The Undisputed ERA looked to continue the onslaught until Drake Maverick saved Dain with a lead pipe in hand. Maverick offered Dain a handshake, only to catch a giant haymaker to the face.
Rhea Ripley def. Mercedes Martinez in a Steel Cage Match
As if a Steel Cage Match wouldn't be brutal enough, Mercedes Martinez introduced a Kendo stick and several steel chairs into the ring before the match even began. Rhea Ripley seized the upper hand against her rival when she caught her by surprise before she entered the ring, also adding a table to the plethora of instruments available. But Martinez was the first to dish out significant punishment, powerslamming Ripley on a steel chair and later delivering a German suplex from the top rope.
The Nightmare demonstrated her grit, using the Kendo stick to fight off not only Mercedes but also Robert Stone, who attempted to climb his way over the cage and into the ring.
Ripley blocked Martinez's potential superplex attempt, instead delivering a Riptide in gigantic fashion from the second rope through a table to stand tall as the winner of The Battle of The Badasses.