Finn Balor defended the NXT Championship against Samoa Joe at NXT TakeOver: London, find out what happened.
The former tag team partners have been on a collision course for the NXT Championship ever since the last NXT special, NXT TakeOver: Respect. They faced each other on the first NXT special held outside of America.
Pre-match we saw a brilliant video package, something that NXT does in an epic way. There’s a lot riding on this match for both men and that comes over in a massive way.
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Joe comes out first, he looks ready for a fight.
Balor pulls out another of his amazing entrances, top hat, cape, blood curdling screams, Demon paint and all. The crowd absolutely love him.
#TheDemon @wwebalor IS #JackTheRipper for his @WWENXT Championship match against @SamoaJoe NOW! #NXTTakeover pic.twitter.com/l5dFeCesPW
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) December 16, 2015
The two men stare each other down as the introductions are made. This London crowd are unreal. The match starts off with Joe trying to assert his power on the Champion.
The @WWENXT Champion is not wasting ANY time! #NXTTakeover @wwebalor @SamoaJoe #BalorvsJoe pic.twitter.com/swPJpaGMcv
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) December 16, 2015
Balor takes advantage and ends up beating Joe down at ringside. Joe gets taken down in the aisle. A massive running drop kick from Balor into the steps sees Joe laid out. Joe gets back into it with a slam at ringside then hits big punches with the Champion back in the ring.
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) December 16, 2015 Joe managed to gain a couple of two counts but the Demon wouldn’t go down for the count. Joe continued the beating and hit a massive kick in the corner. Joe would miss a senton to allow Balor back into it. Joe would stop that momentum with a massive dive to the outside.
Watch out for a FLYING @SamoaJoe!!! #NXTTakeover #BalorvsJoe @wwebalor pic.twitter.com/GTz1Tc75ba
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) December 16, 2015
Back in the ring Joe locked in a cross face to try and get the win via submission, turning it into an arm submission, Balor would reach the ropes to break the hold. Balor would mount a comeback and wear down the challenger with vicious chops. Joe would retaliate with a big elbow before Balor hit the swan dive over the top rope to the outside. Back in the ring he’d hit a Slingblade only for Joe to hit a senton. Both men would be left down after a Pele kick from Balor after an attempted Muscle Buster.
A back and forth would lead to Joe locking in the Kokina Clutch submission, Balro would roll through and hit a double stop to “This is Awesome” chants from the crowd.
What a counter by @wwebalor! #NXTTakeover #BalorvsJoe @SamoaJoe pic.twitter.com/pPmtmPVzS6
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 16, 2015
Balor would manage to get Joe down but would be caught in a Muscle Buster position on the top rope, only for Balor to somehow manage to get the better and hit the Coupe De Grace for the three count and the win to retain his title.
ONE-TWO-THREEEE! @wwebalor nails the #CoupDeGrace to defeat @SamoaJoe and retain his title! #NXTTakeover #BalorvsJoe pic.twitter.com/xbnO7GvbmN
— WWE (@WWE) December 16, 2015
A valiant effort and successful title defense for @wwebalor in London! #NXTTakeover #FinnTheRipper pic.twitter.com/aWxCb3h5eY
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) December 16, 2015
What a way to go out from @ssearena in London! AND STILL @WWENXT Champion...@wwebalor! #NXTTakeover pic.twitter.com/15wucaTrXH
— WWE (@WWE) December 16, 2015