NXT TakeOver WarGames 2019: Results, Highlights, and Grades
By Amelia N
https://twitter.com/WWEUniverse/status/1198412064210841601?s=20
Matt Riddle vs Finn Bálor
Riddle is over huge with the crowd. Bálor gives one crowd popping arm flail during his entrance before adjusting his pose into a rather …Princely gunshot pose. The bell rings and Bálor laughs at Riddle for trying an amateur takedown. Riddle gets Bálor into a submission spot but Bálor escapes easily.
Bálor has Riddle slowed down and grounded on the mat, which is a stark contrast to his main roster babyface moveset. Good heel moveset. Every slight hint of a comeback from Riddle is being cut off instantly by Bálor. Bálor sends Riddle to the outside then hits a wicked dropkick through the ropes, before repeatedly whacking Riddle’s head off the apron.
https://twitter.com/WWEUniverse/status/1198412064210841601?s=20
This has been as one-sided as it’s possible to get so far. Right on cue, Riddle fires up a comeback, exploder suplex out of the corner, penalty kick and a Broton for a two count. Bálor cuts off the comeback fairly quickly, tries for a slingblade but gets caught in an ankle lock, eventually getting a rope break. Bálor sells the damage really well, then catches Riddle unawares with a great drop kick.
Bálor hits a german suplex that Riddle just completely no-sells before hitting one of his own for a two count. Riddle hits a ripcord knee but gets countered into a double stomp and a slingblade. Bálor goes for the dropkick into the corner but gets speared half to death. Riddle hits the jackhammer (Brohammer, quips Mauro) for a close two count. Bálor hits a Reverse 1916 for a close two count of his own.
Riddle hits a wicked-looking Bro to Sleep, goes to the top rope for Floating Bro but Bálor gets the knees up, dropkicks Riddle into the corner and goes for the Coup de Grace, but Riddle moves and locks in the Bromission. Bálor escapes and gets kicked by Riddle. Bálor recovers and hits the 1916 clean for the pinfall victory.
Result: Finn Bálor def. Matt Riddle
Grade: **** (4 stars)
This was very entertaining and re-introduced Bálor well to the NXT scene while not making Riddle lose much, if anything, in defeat. There was a tiny feeling that both competitors could have stepped up into a higher gear, though, and for an NXT TakeOver match that was curious.