A look at what happened in this huge WWE NXT match between Finn Balor and Shinsuke Nakamura.
On Wednesday night’s episode of WWE NXT, Finn Balor and Shinsuke Nakamura had the match that everyone had waited for. This was billed as a “dream match”, and it indeed it is, as no one had seen Balor and Nakamura wrestle under the WWE banner.
"Take a closer look at tonight’s #DreamMatch between @WWEBalor and @ShinsukeN. #WWENXT https://t.co/hitRZESlAo— WWE (@WWE) July 14, 2016"
So on the July 13 episode of WWE NXT, Balor and Nakamura had their match, and it was epic. What exactly happened during this contest, though? Here’s a look at all the highlights.
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Here comes Finn, ready for action.
It's time for the #DreamMatch!!
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) July 14, 2016
And here comes @WWEBalor to the ring! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/NiTyGjYSjs
Possibly his last pose in front of the NXT crowd?
That pose...#DreamMatch @WWEBalor #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/yWuRW1Uc4I
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 14, 2016
Here are the intros for Balor and Nakamura, which got the title lighting.
"It’s time for the #DreamMatch introductions between @wwebalor and @ShinsukeN. #WWENXT https://t.co/y6t10XcNIr— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) July 14, 2016"
Nakamura toying with Balor? He gets Too Sweeted in the face!
Ouch! Dropkick to the knees.
Well, you HAD a kneecap! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/4IXU3ED6EO
— Ellis Mbeh (@EllisMbeh) July 14, 2016
Balor continued to work on Nakamura’s knee, including by doing this.
.@WWEBalor continues the assault on @ShinsukeN's injured knee. #WWENXT #DreamMatch pic.twitter.com/VEVIwhaEN6
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) July 14, 2016
Balor’s offense would continue with this.
Don't give @WWEBalor time to regain his energy, or THIS happens. @ShinsukeN #DreamMatch #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/SnQizA4rEP
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) July 14, 2016
Nakamura would finally get some offense going, including this sharp knee strikes.
That knee to the head is ridiculous! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/wCHXfh4Jtb
— Ellis Mbeh (@EllisMbeh) July 14, 2016
Here’s a video of some of the recent action in this match.
"What a match between @WWEBalor and @ShinsukeN!! #DreamMatch #WWENXT https://t.co/KA7n9U2GkV— WWE (@WWE) July 14, 2016"
To finish off Balor, Nakamura hit a huge Kinshasa!
After the match, Balor received a “Thank you, Finn” chant.
"After a hard-fought match, nothing but RESPECT between @ShinsukeN and @WWEBalor! #ThankYouFinn #WWENXT #DreamMatch https://t.co/RHkePyhTeB— WWE (@WWE) July 14, 2016"
Wrestling Greatness recognizing Wrestling Greatness.#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/jtAk832GMn
— Ellis Mbeh (@EllisMbeh) July 14, 2016
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This was an incredible matchup, and as good as advertised. Balor and Nakamura put it all on the line and had the Full Sail University crowd going wild. We may not see these two face off in WWE for a while, if ever again, so this was a terrific bout to let sink in.
Nakamura will likely move onto a NXT Championship match. This could mean we don’t see him in the WWE Draft, and could be saved for a debut later in 2016.
As for Balor, he’s probably going to be in the draft on Tuesday. While this is not confirmed, there is nothing left for him to do in NXT. Plus, there have been numerous reports about a talent raid from the brand, and he would be an ideal candidate.
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So was this the last time we’ll see Finn Balor under the WWE NXT banner? Is this what’s next for Shinsuke Nakamura?