NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn Results, Analysis and Grades

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Samoa Joe vs Baron Corbin

Result: Joe def Corbin by ref stoppage (Coquina Clutch)

Rating: 3.0 stars out of 5 stars

Joe immediately goes for an armbar on Corbin and goes for a Coquina Clutch early, but Corbin makes his way to the outside. Back in the ring, Joe hits a series of kicks and manages to dropkick Corbin to the outside. Joe goes for a suicide dive but gets stopped by the forearm of Corbin.

Joe transitions from a roll up into a half crab, and finally into a crossface. Corbin manages to get to the ropes and then dumps Joe down to the outside. Joe launches Corbin into the barricade, and then puts him back in the ring. Corbin catches Joe back in the ring with a heel hook., damaging the veteran’s knee. Corbin gets a huge sidewalk slam for a two count, and Samoa Joe comes back with a standing enziguiri and both men are down.

Both men are up by the count of 8 and they trade blows. From spinning back fists to open hand slaps to uppercuts. Joe tries to set up the Muscle Buster but is stopped by Corbin. Corbin tries to get the End of Days, but Joe avoids it and goes for the Coquina Clutch. He can’t get it locked in, and hits Joe with a massive spinebuster. After kicking out at two, Joe manages to catch Corbin in the Coquina Clutch. And makes Corbin pass out. Joe picks up the victory.

Corbin comes to and asks the ref what happens, since he never actually tapped out.

Evan’s Notes: Easily Corbin’s best match to date, as this brawl with Joe was a great balance of smash-mouth intensity and ground work. Corbin pulled out some new moves in his arsenal, but in the end the veteran Samoa Joe was too much. Interesting to give Joe the win here; hopefully that means this rivalry isn’t over yet.

Next: Bayley vs. Sasha Banks