On last week‘s episode of NXT, there were several great matches that helped in building the stars of tomorrow. Emma defeated Santana Garrett, increasing her momentum in her ongoing feud with Asuka. The Vaudevillains defeated Hugo Knox and Tucker Knight (don’t worry, I have not heard of them either), showing a more aggressive side than when they were NXT Tag Team Champions. The most boring man in NXT, Elias Samson, defeated Steve Cutler in a squash match, and NXT Champion Finn Balor defeated “The Man That Gravity Forgot,” and longest-reigning NXT Champion, Neville. Perhaps the biggest moment of the night was the debut of “The Greatest Man That Ever Lived” (or so I’m told), Austin Aries, who was attacked from behind by a frustrated Baron Corbin.
Tonight’s episode of NXT features a 2-out-of-3 falls match between Sami Zayn and Samoa Joe to determine the #1 Contender to Finn Balor’s NXT Championship. Sami Zayn was last seen on Monday Night Raw, saving Neville from an attack by Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens. This “call-up” for Zayn means that he will likely appear in a match at WrestleMania 32 against his long time rival.
Opening Segment
NXT General Manager William Regal comes to the ring to address the situation regarding Baron Corbin and Austin Aries. Regal was going to discipline Corbin, but Aries requested that he does nothing. Instead, Regal announces that Baron Corbin will face Austin Aries at NXT TakeOver: Dallas on April 2nd.
Samoa Joe vs. Sami Zayn – #1 Contenders Match for the NXT Championship (2-out-of-3 Falls Match)
Everybody is waiting to watch this match, including some familiar guests at ringside. “The Boss” Sasha Banks, Hideo Itami, Michael Hayes (who is part of the 2016 WWE Hall of Fame class), Smackdown announcer Mauro Ranallo, and WWE Hall of Famer Larry Zbysko are all in attendance for what is sure to be a classic match between two of the best wrestlers NXT (and WWE for that matter) has to offer.
Before the first fall, the match is very slow paced. At least ten minutes have gone by, and neither of these two have even scored a fall yet. It is very likely that this match will take the entirety of this episode of NXT. Samoa Joe seems to have the offensive advantage, using several methodically calculated strikes to wear Sami Zayn out. Occasionally Zayn gets some offense in, but doesn’t do enough to get the advantage. That being said, Samoa Joe still hasn’t picked up a fall.
After countering Sami Zayn in the corner, Samoa Joe hits the Muscle Buster for the pin, scoring the first fall. First fall winner: Samoa Joe
By winning the first fall, Samoa Joe has the edge going into the second. Zayn is more winded by taking a Muscle Buster and a pinfall, and Joe has been on the offensive for most of the match. Joe is constantly throwing Zayn out of the ring, forcing him to keep breaking the ten count, and every time, Zayn gets closer and closer to being counted out.
After several failed count-out attempts, Sami Zayn counters a clothesline from Samoa Joe and locks in the Koji Klutch, forcing Samoa Joe to tap out, and giving Zayn the second fall. Second fall winner: Sami Zayn
Tom Philips and Corey Graves announce that since this match is taking so long, the other matches that were scheduled for tonight will have to be rescheduled. That’s right, this match is taking the entire hour.
Samoa Joe ends up locking the Coquina Clutch, and Zayn doesn’t tap, but instead passes out, causing the ref to call Samoa Joe the winner of the third fall. Winner, and #1 Contender to the NXT Championship (via submission): Samoa Joe
Since the match between Samoa Joe and Sami Zayn lasted an hour, that is all for this episode of NXT.
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