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It's time for Austin Aries vs. Shinsuke Nakamura. Aries came out with his ribs taped. The Nakamura entrance is so big time. The crowd kept singing his theme after WWE stopped it. That made for a nice, big time feel. They went back and forth with Aries being especially aggressive but finding out that Nakamura had scouted all his signature moves. Nakamura took control and used his boot to work over and choke Aries in the corner. When the referee admonished him, Aries used it as a way to attack Nakamura's knee as a way to take his striking from him. Aries worked him over for awhile. Nakamura tried to fight back but was cut off with a stiff forearm. Aries hit the suicide dive through the ropes to the floor. Nakamura shocked Aries with a triangle choke. He went for his finisher but was blocked by Aries and trapped in the Last Chancery. Some really nice back and forth action. They ended up on the apron striking back and forth. Aries caught him with a death valley driver on the apron. Ouch. Aries went for a dive to the outside but Nakamura moved and Aries crashed insanely rude into the guard rail. The way this was shot by the cameras, it looked BRUTAL. Nakamura brought him back into the ring and finished Aries up. Easily the best Aries has looked thus far in NXT and Nakamura looked good. They each continued to build their momentum with a great showing. Really, really good.
They plugged Takeover: Brooklyn going on sale this Saturday. The pre-sale sold out immediately today. Good luck with getting tickets.
Time for the NXT Women's championship bout. Great video preview.
It's time for Asuka vs. Nia Jax. Jax looked good early enforcing her will and beating down Asuka. Asuka made a comeback and nailed some really nice strikes. Really good monster vs. underdog match. Jax locked on a knee bar but Asuka fought to the ropes. You can see an awesome improvement in Jax's work here. Asuka survived a powerbomb and unloaded with strikes. She was unable to get the Asuka Lock but just killed Jax with kicks and scored the surprise win. This was a hell of a match and Jax looked good and earned respect from the audience with the loss. The streak of good matches continues!
They went to an interview with William Regal from earlier today. Bobby Roode showed up in the background and Regal went into a room where Roode walked into. My guess is he's heading to TV tomorrow.
They showed Neville in the crowd watching.
All four sides of the cage lowered down at the same time. Cool visual.
Time for the main event.
They had a cool entrance for Finn Balor as the Demon broke down a steel cage to make his way to the ring. Simple but cool visual. Balor's black and white demon paint looked awesome when they put the house lights down and just had him under a spotlight. Joe came out looking like the pissed off, intense champ. That's the Samoa Joe I've always enjoyed watching.
They are doing pin, submission or escape the cage. Joe tried to get out right away but was stopped. Joe cut off Balor and used knee strikes to control him but Balor responded with kicks and forearms. Joe went to town on Balor, nailing hiptosses into the cage. Joe used his boot to set up a Facewash on Balor. He continued to work over Balor, who fought back. Joe just grabbed him and drove him into the cage like a beast. Joe called for the door but Balor grabbed his legs. Balor nailed an enziguiri and scampered out the door but Joe pulled him back in. Joe nailed a nice German suplex for a two count. They battled to the ropes and crashed back into the ring.
At this point, I got an error message from WWE Network and my stream died. It took two minutes to get it back. When I returned, Joe was going for a muscle buster but Finn rolled through in a sunset flip for a two count. They peppered the hell out of each other with strikes. Balor nailed a kick and they were both out on the mat. The crowd chanted for them with dueling chants. They battled on the top rope and my stream went out again, telling me there was a media error. Oh, come on WWE!
When I got it back, Joe hit the muscle buster but Balor kicked out. They put over that this was the match that Joe used to win but the belt but Balor had survived. Joe told Balor he was going to end him and began hitting some big kicks. He went to powerbomb Balor into the cage but Finn slipped out and sent Joe into the cage, then nailed the Slingblade and a nice dropkick into the corner. Some good intensity here.
Balor nailed the double stomp but Joe kicked out. Balor went for a move but Joe cinched in the Kokina Clutch. Balor tried to fight out and used the buckles to push off, like he did in beating Joe in Dallas. He nailed another double stomp but was too tired to capitalize. He pointed to the top of the cage, which people popped for. He started to ascend but Joe grabbed him. He kicked Joe off and went to the top. He started to pull himself over but Joe met him at the top of the cage. Balor went over the cage. Joe slammed his head into the cage and pulled him into a muscle buster off the ropes for the pin. That looked awesome.
Joe is still the champ and once again, NXT put on a killer show. They couldn't have asked for a better two hours from their roster tonight. Go out of your way to see the show when you can.
The show went off the air with Joe standing triumphant as Balor was checked on by WWE officials in the ring.
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