With a little over two weeks to go before TakeOver: San Antonio, NXT has a long way to go before building a card to get excited about. So far, the only confirmed match for the show is the NXT Championship match between Shinsuke Nakamura and the new #1 Contender, Bobby Roode. There are still two more championship matches to figure out, and a whole locker room that could use the TakeOver exposure.
Opening Segment
Before the show gets underway, we see Asuka coming to the arena. Before she makes it to the entrance, Billie Kay and Peyton Royce assault her, and throw a cup of water onto the NXT Women’s Champion.
Billie Kay & Peyton Royce vs. Macy Evans & Sarah Bridges
Billie Kay and Peyton Royce have been trying to make a statement over the past few months, and they have been calling themselves the most “dominant force in the women’s division.” After taking care of Asuka in the parking lot earlier, a dominant win tonight could help their argument.
Peyton Royce distracts the referee, giving Billie Kay the opportunity to rake the eyes of Sarah Bridges. Kay tags Royce back into the match, slams Bridges’ face onto Royce’s knee, and wins the match. Winners: Billie Kay & Peyton Royce
After the match, Peyton Royce and Billie Kay lay down the challenge to Asuka. The Empress of Tomorrow barely makes her way down to the ring, and she is immediately attacked by the duo. Nikki Cross rushes the ring and seemingly makes the save, but then Cross dropkicks Asuka after getting rid of Royce and Kay. It appears that Asuka has not one, but three challengers coming for her Women’s Championship.
Elias Samson vs. Jonathan Cruz
Elias Samson drifted away for a brief hiatus, but he came back in the NXT Championship #1 Contender’s tournament for the chance to face Shinsuke Nakamura at TakeOver: San Antonio. Sanson would have a good showing in the tournament, but it was eventually won by Bobby Roode. While Samson might not have anything set for San Antonio, he is continuing to make a name for himself tonight, whether the NXT Universe likes it or not.
After toying with Cruz for a good portion of the match, Elias Samson puts him away with a spinning neckbreaker. Winner: Elias Samson
Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Oney Lorcan
Andrade “Cien” Almas and Oney Lorcan squared off when NXT took their tour to Osaka, Japan, and after a solid battle, Almas would come out the victor. These are probably the two most different superstars you could find. Lorcan is a ground and pound brawler, who focuses on effectiveness over flashy moves. Almas has a lucha libre inspired arsenal, and he is perhaps the most arrogant and laid back Superstar in NXT.
For some reason, the referee prevents Oney Lorcan from hitting Almas in the bottom turnbuckle, and while Lorcan is arguing with the referee, Almas hits him with a vicious dropkick. One hammerlock DDT later, and Almas picks up his second consecutive victory over Lorcan. Winner: Andrade “Cien” Almas
Interview w/Shinsuke Nakamura
Before Shinsuke Nakamura defends his title against Bobby Roode in San Antonio, Philipe Tom Philips asks the King of Strong Style a couple of questions. Nakamura is glad that he is done feuding with Samoa Joe, and he does not think that Bobby Roode is “strong,” or “king.” Philips then hands over Bobby Roode’s ticket from TakeOver: Dallas to Nakamura, which is the event that Roode attended before being signed as well as when Nakamura debuted against Sami Zayn.
#DIY vs. The Revival – NXT Tag Team Championships
Since TakeOver: Brooklyn II, these two teams have been having tremendous matches. #DIY would fail to win the titles in Brooklyn, but when they had a 2-out-of-3 Falls match in Toronto, they would be able to hang on and finally dethrone The Revival. In the subsequent weeks, Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa would successfully defend the gold against TM61, as well as Tajiri and Akira Tozawa. If they retain again tonight, challengers for San Antonio will need to be found.
They do it again. #DIY have The Revival figured out, and The Revival know it. Dash and Dawson hug each other in the middle of the ring, knowing that they were about to get hit in stereo, and they are officially out of the NXT Tag Team Championship title picture for the first time since November 2015. Winners, and STILL NXT Tag Team Champions: #DIY
The Authors of Pain attack #DIY from behind after the match, and hold up their titles as a possible sign of what’s to come.
Announcements
At TakeOver: San Antonio, #DIY will defend their titles against the Authors of Pain. Also, there will be a contract signing next week with Shinsuke Nakamura and Bobby Roode. To close out the show, Asuka storms William Regal’s office and demands a Women’s Championship match in San Antontio against Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, and Nikki Cross.
