The news rippled through social media mere moments after the pinfall was counted: Samoa Joe had dethroned the longest-reigning NXT Champion in history, Finn Bálor, at a Live Event in Lowell, Massachusetts, far away from the bright lights of Full Sail University.

Check out video of Samoa Joe's huge championship victory | Match photos

As the NXT Universe began to let the seismic development sink in, Superstars took to Twitter to express their shock, offer congratulations or, in the case of Bálor, show grace in defeat:

It was an honor #NXTLowell

— Finn Bálor (@wwebalor) April 22, 2016

Anything can happen @WWENXT...anywhere...anytime.
Congratulations @SamoaJoe.#AndNew#WeAreNXT https://t.co/yS1NIv7Omf

— Triple H (@TripleH) April 22, 2016

Congratulations to the new @WWENXT champion @SamoaJoe.@wwebalor is a true warrior of the canvas wars and was an excellent champion.

— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) April 22, 2016

Holy cow! Absolutely shocking. https://t.co/cOKWf0icLv

— Sami Zayn (@iLikeSamiZayn) April 22, 2016

Congratulations @SamoaJoe! My heart exploded along with every fan at #NXTLowell tonight!What a cool moment to be a part of. #NXT

— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) April 22, 2016

& Thank you @wwebalor for being the champion you were. Someone all of us strive to be like in and out of the ring. Here's to the future

— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) April 22, 2016

Amazing night for @WWENXT. Fans at #NXTLowell were incredible and our talent tore the house down. Congrats @SamoaJoe & @wwebalor #newchamp

— Matt Bloom (@NXTMattBloom) April 22, 2016

What an incredible run from @wwebalor.

And what a victory from @SamoaJoe tonight.

Two true warriors. Respect. #NXTLowell @WWENXT

— Chad Gable (@WWEGable) April 22, 2016

Wow!! You never know what to expect with @WWENXT live events! #NXTLowell found that out tonight!
Congrats to the NEW NXT Champ, Samoa Joe!!

— Jason Jordan (@JasonJordanJJ) April 22, 2016

Congratulations @SamoaJoe on winning another major championship in @WWENXT. Only one more to go... pic.twitter.com/UmPrwoxHVD

— Joey Styles (@JoeyStyles) April 22, 2016

Massive congrats to the BRAND NEW @WWENXT Champion, @SamoaJoe!#NXTLowell

— Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) April 22, 2016

Without a doubt @wwebalor is and always will be the man. But a strong congratulations to new @WWENXT champ @SamoaJoe

— Aiden English (@WWEDramaKing) April 22, 2016

Holy Moly! New #WWENXT Champion at #NXTLowell tonight!! Congratulations @SamoaJoe & thank you to @wwebalor!!

— Carmella (@CarmellaWWE) April 22, 2016

CONGRATS! @SamoaJoe #AndNew https://t.co/ONfcJHgPKL

— Mauro Ranallo (@mauroranallo) April 22, 2016

As I promised, Killa show 2night & Omg new #nxt champ @SamoaJoe great job guys @wwebalor inspiration 2 many! Represent @WWENXT #WeAreNXT

— Dana Brooke WWE (@DanaBrookeWWE) April 22, 2016

@wwebalor and @SamoaJoe have wrestled all around the world & are two of the best in our business. Professionals in every sense of the word.

— Dash (@DashWilderWWE) April 22, 2016

@wwebalor has nothing to be ashamed of. He's done more for @WWENXT than any other person. Congrats to our new champ @SamoaJoe. Carry it well

— Scott Dawson (@ScottDawsonWWE) April 22, 2016

If you were at #NXTLowell, you will never forget it. I know I won't. Congrats x100000000 to @wwebalor and @SamoaJoe. https://t.co/a9SwHtgamY

— Adam Pearce (@ScrapDaddyAP) April 22, 2016

CONGRATS @SamoaJoe !!!What an amazing night for these two athletes . #CongratsJoe #ThankYouBalor https://t.co/MXCmaXA713

— Alexa Bliss (@AlexaBliss_WWE) April 22, 2016

Congratulations to the new @WWENXT champion!! @SamoaJoe https://t.co/UTog3a0wdD

— Billie Kay (@BillieKayWWE) April 22, 2016

Can't believe @SamoaJoe is our new @WWENXT champion! So glad I was here to witness it live! Congrats @wwebalor on a great reign #NXTLowell

— Peyton Royce (@WWEPeytonRoyce) April 22, 2016

Amazing MOMENT #NXTLowell

— Riddick Moss (@riddickMoss) April 22, 2016

Real life right now. #NXTLowell was off the charts. That. Just. Happened. @WWENXT https://t.co/bnMDD4mJ09

— Mojo Rawley (@MojoRawleyWWE) April 22, 2016

That's why #NXT is can't miss! Congrats @SamoaJoe! What a reign @wwebalor! #WeAreNXT #ANDNEW #Respect

— No Way Jose (@WWENoWayJose) April 22, 2016

Whoa. That's why @WWENXT live events are can't miss.. You never know what can happen! https://t.co/LtESdu1KaY

— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) April 22, 2016

Just an incredible night at #NXTLowell. Congrats to the new champ @SamoaJoe!

Thank you to everyone who came. #NXTKingston tomorrow!

— Tom Phillips (@TomPhillipsWWE) April 22, 2016