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WWE NXT champion Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
Quite the moment for each of these guys, especially if you followed them pre-WWE. The look of intensity on each of their faces as they came out was as real as it gets. I won't even kid you - I had chills for the entrances. Until they face off on the main roster, this is the biggest match of their lives.
They stared at each other after the bell rang, taking it in. Owens went right to the floor to psych out Zayn and control the pace by manipulating the champion. Owens did some Larry Zbsyzko-esque stalling early that certainly popped Jess McGrath. Zayn finally had enough and hit a running flip dive over the referee as the ref admonished Owens, who was still on the floor. That was great. Zayn worked over Owens on the floor, then tossed him in the ring and railed away on him with punches in the corner. Owens slipped out from underneath and nailed Snake Eyes, then nailed a killer clothesline in the corner.
Owens nailed a second clothesline on the champion. Owens controlled the champion and cinched in a rear chinlock. Zayn fought his way out but was cut off and elevated and dropped across the top rope, bouncing back hard into the ring for a two count. Owens locked on the rear chinlock again. The battle went to the floor where Owens continued the assault. Zayn fired back but was cut off and clotheslined down every time he mounted some attempt at offense.
Back in the ring, Steen stomped and beat Zayn. He nailed a gutbuster and a back senton splash for a two count. Owens stood over Zayn as he fought to pull himself up, then slapped him down. Zayn finally came back with a big clothesline as Owens rebounded off the ropes. He fired back with offense and clotheslined Owens over the top to the floor. Zayn worked over Steen with a series of rights on the floor. He was cut off and tossed back in the ring but before Owens could capitalize, Zayn nailed a clothesline off the apron.
Back in the ring, Owens nailed a back elbow but Zayn ducked another and hit the Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count. Zayn was cut off with a big kick to the chin as he charged and collapsed in the corner. Owens hit a running cannonball in the corner for a close two count. Zayn made a comeback and hit an awesome suplex for a two count. Owens went to the apron. Zayn went to grab him but was hit with a jawbreaker on the ropes. Owens went to the top but Zayn met him and teased a superplex. Owens tried to fight out and finally did with a big headbutt. He went for the swanton but Zayn pulled his knees up.
Owens retreated to the floor. Zayn went after him. Owens tried to powerbomb him on the apron but Zayn escaped and hit a springboard moonsault to Owens in the aisle. Zayn hit the back of his head on the entrance ramp after he connected from the momentum. He recovered but was woozy, and tossed Owens back into the ring. Zayn went for the Helluva Kick but was too dizzy. Owens charged and nailed the pop up powerbomb but Zayn was able to get his shoulder up at the last second.
Owens began mauling Zayn with right hands and knocked him down to the mat. He cntinued beating the hell out of Zayn while Zayn was out of it. The referee pulled Owens off as Zayn was caught up in the ropes. Owens went right back to the attack. A WWE trainer came to the ring to check on Zayn who insisted he was fine. Owens nailed a powerbomb and followed up with a second one. He covered Zayn, who pulled his shoulder up at the last second. WWE's Dr. Chris Amann came to ringside and they checked on Zayn. Owens pulled him away and nailed two more powerbombs. He went for a fifth but the doctor called the match and the referee tackling Owens to stop him.
The referee raised Owens' hand and handed him the championship. New champion by referee's stoppage, which is probably a first in WWE history. The crowd didn't like that it was stopped but some of them were excited Owens was champion.
Your winner and new WWE NXT champion Kevin Owens.
Owens kissed the belt as he kneeled down on the mat and then saluted the crowd while standing on the apron. The medical attendants checked on Zayn.
An excellent main event with a great story and unique finish.
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