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Fantasy Booking Finn Balor’s WWE NXT Title Reign

By Carl Gac

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How should WWE book Finn Balor as NXT Champion? Read on to find out.

July 4th, 2015. American Independence Day.

A Canadian and an Irishman face each other in Japan, with the latterwinning to gain his first title in WWE.

A few days earlier, Finn Balor had pinned Kevin Owens in a tag team match, to hand Owens his first loss on NXT on NXT TV.

It was poetic that Balor took the title in Japan, the country where he’d made such an impression earlier in his career, the place where he made his name and undoubtedly caught the eye of HHH before being signed to NXT.

Balor is set to face Owens in the rematch for the NXT title at NXT TakeOver Brooklyn, in a Ladder Match. That match has all the makings of being another classic match.

I can’t see beyond Balor defending his title then and Owens becoming a full-time member of the main roster, or does he?

Balor beats Owens to retain his title and seemingly looks set to move on to other foes. Owens goes on to face Cesaro the following night a SummerSlam, and both of them end up feuding over the Intercontinental title.

But Kevin can’t forget about losing twice to Finn.

Every time Balor looks set to face another opponent, Owens finds a way to stop the matches happening. Until he gets his final shot at the belt, nobody else will get anywhere near winning it.

With frustration building Balor looks to his inner Demon. He knows he has the better of Owens after the previous two wins but he knows he can never move on till he finally vanquishes Owens.

Balor challenges Owens to a best of seven series for his belt, with each match having a different stipulation, but also stating that when this series is over the loser can never challenge for the belt again.

Match 1:

A straight 1 on 1 match between the two men on NXT TV. Balor wins after a back and forth match that sees both men try to injure each other, to give them an advantage in the series. Balor leads 1-0.

Match 2: Last Man Standing match.

Another match that sees both men up their game trying to get the win. Eventually Owens takes the win after consecutive power bombs on the ring apron followed by the ramp, to the shock of the crowd and the commentary team. Owens ties it at 1-1.

Match 3: Tables match.

Owens takes the 2-1 lead in the series after using his strength and power to beat down Balor before using the top rope senton to put Balor through the table.

Match 4: Falls Count Anywhere.

After the proceeding 2 matches being arena wide brawls, the stipulation for this match is set. Balor gets the better of Owens using speed but is put down yet again due to Owens power. Making use of anything and everything he can get his hands on this time does no good for Owens as Balor wins after the Coup de Grace from the top rope to a prone Owens on the floor at ringside. Balor ties again at 2-2.

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Following this match, Owens disappears from NXT for a couple of weeks before reappearing on RAW to face Cesaro for the Intercontinental Championship. Owens wins the belt after a brutal match. After the match ends Balor comes out and tells Owens he wants match 5 tonight.

With Balor requesting the next match immediately Owens does his best to dodge him. But after RAW goes off the air and the WWE Universe leaves the building that match takes place.

Match 5: Empty Arena match. 

One of most intriguing matches in wrestling history. Not many have taken place but those that have have always been better than you’d expect, and this was no different. We’ve become accustomed to seeing these 2 brawling from one side of the arena to the other. Owens wants no part in this match and tires every sneak attack he can to take out Balor. Throwing the Demon down the empty arena steps, using all the weapons he can but to no avail. Balor takes the win after a brutal Sling Blade onto a pile of chairs. With that win he takes the 3-2 lead in the series.

Match 6: Cage match. 

After watching these two foes battle across the NXT arena General Manager William Regal declares they must face each other and the match must end in the ring, the only way to do that is a cage match.

Owens knows he can’t lose this match or his challenge for the belt is over forever.

Again Owens does all he can to put Balor out of the match. Repeatedly using his power to drive Balor into the cage. A pop up power bomb onto the exposed turnbuckles, followed by Owens eventually un-hooking the top rope and using it to choke out Balor, before escaping over the top of the cage to tie the series at 3-3. Owens stands outside the ring and holds aloft his Intercontinental belt as the fans boo him out of the building.

Match 7: 60 minute Iron Man match.

With the series tied at 3-3 and both men now holding titles, this deciding match takes place during an entire episode of NXT. It’s also decided that the loser of this match will leave NXT.

An early pinfall for Owens sets the tone for the match, a pin that comes after a power bomb and package pile driver (a move seen for the first time in a while in WWE).

Owens quickly gets a second pin after a groggy Balor cannot recover quickly enough from Ownes’ early barrage of power.

A worried Hideo Itami comes out to help his friend at ringside, a move that infuriates Owens to the point of attacking Hideo. That attack proves fruitless for the Canadian as Itami hits the GTS on him before rolling Balor on top to get the pin.

With Balor recovering he takes the match to Owens. Using his speed to attack his larger foe. That quickness undoes Owens’ plans and Balor hits a Sling Blade, followed by Coupe De Grace to tie this match at 2-2.

With only minutes left of the match the entire NXT locker room fills the ramp, watching what is set to be the most important few moments in the brand history.

Both men go backwards and forwards, with Owens seemingly getting the better of the champion after a belt shot with the refs back turned. But Balor kicks out of the resultant pin and hits the corner drop kick, followed by the Coup De Grace and then pulls out his old finisher, the Bloody Sunday, to take the match and series winning pin.

Balor stands tall. The rest of the NXT roster fills the ring. Owens rolls out and dejectedly walks up the aisle, gone from NXT forever.

Both men gave there all throughout the best of seven series, producing an epic series that will go down in history as some of the best matches ever. Giving Owens the Intercontinental belt adds an extra to the matches.

Holding the NXT title in the same light as the famous I.C. belt builds the title in the eyes of the fans, and shows Balor as worthy of beating the man who holds a belt which has adorned Hall of Famers as a stepping stone to greatness.

Balor goes on to face both Hideo Itami and Apollo Crews for his title, eventually losing the belt to Crews at the WrestleMania 32.

How do you think the NXT title reign of Finn Balor should be booked? Leave your ideas in the comments and like, share and follow me on twitter @carlgac.

Next: WrestleMania Card Projections 2.0

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