NXT TakeOver: London Review: Results, Analysis and Grades; Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe

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Asuka vs. Emma

Result: Asuka defeats Emma via pinfall.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Asuka began with an attempted heel kick that just missed Emma. Asuka and Emma would trade arm locks until the latter avoided a dropkick and attempted a pin.

They would continue to trade arm locks until Emma hit an elbow but got put into an armbar. Asuka would kick her out of the ring and hit a running hip attack from the apron.

Emma hit a dropkick on Asuka while Dana Brooke provided a distraction. Emma then began to work stomps in the corner and a foot to the face. She would get a near-fall.

Emma would stretch Asuka’s arms and put pressure on her shoulders. She would get a near-fall.

Emma hit an elbow to the back of the head, put Asuka between the ropes and pulled herhair. Emma kicked her down for a near-fall.

Asuka would begin to fight back with elbows and a backslide for a near-fall. However, Emma hit a clothesline for a near-fall. She would shove Asuka into the corner and slap her as she tried to make a comeback. Asuka hit a missile dropkick to work the comeback.

Asuka hit a dropkick and took out Emma by the legs. She hit a kick to the back and multiple forearms. Asuka hit a hip attack and multiple kicks to the chest. Emma caught the leg, though and attempted a jacknife cover. Asuka hit a few forearms and another running hip attack for a near-fall.

Emma would put a submission move on Asuka while learning over the ropes and hit an exploder suplex. This was followed by the Emma Sandwich for a near-fall.

Emma would rub Asuka’s face into the mat. After trying a submission, Asuka put on the Ankle Lock and hit a German Suplex. She hit a PK for a near-fall.

Asuka would put on the Asuka Lock but couldn’t fully get it locked in. Emma would intentionally back them into the referee, who went down. Asuka would go for a kick but Emma moved out of the way. Dana would throw something in the ring but Asuka ripped it away. The referee got up and saw it but Emma tried rolling her up for a near-fall. Asuka then got the Asuka Lock locked in and Emma started tapping, but Dana distracted the referee.

After Dana left the ring, Asuka hit a wicked kick to the face for the win.

Rob’s Note: What a match to open the show. Asuka and Emma are both insanely talented in the ring and put on a great performance. Asuka will soar from here and possibly be in the title hunt down the line.

Next: NXT Tag Team Championship Match