– The WWE NXT “Takeover: Dallas” Kickoff pre-show kicks off with Renee Young, Mauro Ranallo and WWE Hall of Famer Lita. We see videos from earlier today of Samoa Joe and NXT Champion Finn Balor arriving backstage. They hype tonight’s show and the title matches. Mauro says we have a good chance of seeing a title change tonight. He calls NXT the hottest brand in sports entertainment. Renee sends us to new WWE correspondent Cathy Kelley with a bunch of fans. She says working for WWE is a dream come true and she has an interview with Sami Zayn later. The crowd chants “NXT” and we go back to the panel.
They talk about tonight’s NXT Tag Team Title match and Mauro predicts The Revival will retain. We get a promo and discussion for Austin Aries vs. Baron Corbin next. Mauro predicts Aries to win his debut and Lita goes with Corbin. They also talk about Shinsuke Nakamura and the NXT Women’s Title. They’re all excited for Nakamura. Mauro tells us all about him and says the fans better be ready for Nakamura. We go to Cathy Kelley and Sami Zayn. He talks about his own legacy and says Nakamura won’t cement his at Sami’s expense tonight. We get more hype for tonight’s matches and a video package for the main event. Lita says Joe is obsessed with becoming the NXT Champion. Renee hypes the show and plugs the WWE Network as we hear the crowd getting riled up. That’s it for the pre-show.
– WWE NXT “Takeover: Dallas” opens up with a video package. We’re live from a sold out Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Arena as fans chant NXT. Corey Graves and Tom Phillips are on commentary.
NXT Tag Team Title Match: American Alpha vs. The Revival
We go right to the ring and out comes Chad Gable and Jason Jordan to a huge pop. NXT Tag Team Champions Dash and Dawson are out next to boos.
Scott Dawson starts out with Gable and they lock up. Dawson takes it to the corner and the fans are fired up early. Dawson disrespects Gable and slaps him a few times. Dawson talks trash and they finally go at it again. Back and forth on the mat. Gable with an early 2 count. Fans chant for Gable now. Gable gets in a shot that brings Dash Wilder in. Jordan runs in and both teams face off. The referee orders Jordan and Dash back out as Gable and Dawson go back at it. Dawson takes control and then drops Gable with shoulders. Dawson blocks a counter and slams Gable. Gable comes back with offense. Jordan tags in and nails a dropkick. Dawson goes to the floor to regroup as fans pop for Jordan. The referee is distracted by Dash, allowing Dawson to rake the eyes and take control. Dash comes in and Jordan blocks a double team with clotheslines. Gable comes in for double back drops. Jordan with a 2 count.
Gable comes back in for another 2 count. Gable works on Dash’s arm now. Fans chant for Gable as Dawson comes in and takes control. Dawson takes Gable to the top but Gable fights him off with an elbow. They end up on the mat and Gable rolls him up for a 2 count. Gable with a crossbody for another 2 count. Gable with more offense and a dropkick. Jordan ends up helping block a double team on Gable with a double team of their own. They clear the ring with Germans at the same time and the crowd goes nuts as Jordan runs around the ring. They go to the floor and send The Revival into each other. Gable brings Dawson back in the ring. Dawson tags Dash in mid-move. Gable drops Dash and they go to the floor but Gable runs into a big clothesline. They bring it back in and Dash pounds on Gable. Dawson tags back in and drops Gable with an elbow for a 2 count. Dash tags in and they double team Gable in the corner. Dash with a 2 count. Dash keeps Gable grounded as fans rally for him.
Dash keeps Gable from fighting out and tags in Dawson to take over. Dawson with his version of a Gory Special now. Gable rolls him up for a 2 count. Dash runs in but Gable counters with a double DDT. Jordan waits for the hot tag but Dash goes under the ring and pulls him down. They botch the double team and fans chant “you fucked up” at them. The referee didn’t see the tag and doesn’t count Dash’s tag on Gable. Fans chant “Botch-a-mania” now. Dawson works Gable over before tagging Dash back in. Dash charges in the corner but misses and crotches himself on the turnbuckle. Dawson tags back in and stops Gable from tagging. Gable ends up getting the tag and Jordan unloads on Dawson. Dash charges but gets dropped. Jordan with a t-bone suplex to Dawson. Jordan drops the straps and charges Dash in the corner. Jordan with a big suplex on Dawson for a close 2 count. Jordan takes Dawson to the top but gets decked. He runs back up and Dash holds Dawson’s foot, causing Jordan to fall to the mat. Dawson covers for a 2 count as Dash puts the towel over his feet from the floor for leverage but Jordan still manages to kick out. More back and forth. Dash nails a big punch from the floor but Gable breaks the pin. Jordan with a close roll up after more chaos with everyone involved. “This is awesome” chants start. Jordan counters and hits a belly-to-belly on Dawson. Jordan charges but Dawson moves and he hits the ring post. Gable tags in but gets rolled up for a 2 count. Gable and Dawson trade pin attempts. Gable counters a move for a close roll up. Several more counters and close pin attempts. Jordan tags himself in, runs around the ring and spears Dawson in the corner. Gable tags in for the assisted suplex for the win and the titles.
Winners and New WWE NXT Tag Team Champions: American Alpha
– After the match, the crowd goes wild as Gable and Jordan celebrate.
– We see Jim Ross, Michelle Beadle, Sho Funaki and top Japanese star Kota Ibushi at ringside.
– We get a video package for the next match.
Austin Aries vs. Baron Corbin
Out first comes Baron Corbin to some heat. Austin Aries out next to a pop for his debut NXT match.
Aries goes right to work and takes Corbin to the corners. Aries unloads as fans do dueling chants. Aries mounts Corbin in the corner and won’t let up. Aries with more kicks to the knees. Aries ducks a clothesline and dropkicks the knee. Aries ends up on Corbin’s back and gets slammed. Corbin eats a rolling forearm and goes to the floor. Aries goes to the top and nails Corbin on the floor. Aries works Corbin around the ring now. Aries with a forearm off the steel steps. They come back in and Corbin runs Aries over with a forearm to the head after a shot to the throat to take control. Corbin stomps away as fans boo. Corbin beats Aries around and plays to the crowd. Corbin uses the ropes on Aries and chokes him on the mat as the referee warns him. Aries fights up from the mat but Corbin launches him into the ring post and covers for a 2 count.
Corbin keeps Aries grounded now as he talks trash to the crowd. Corbin takes it to the corner with a clothesline and nails several elbows. Corbin drops Aries out of the corner for another 2 count. Corbin yells for the bell to be rang. Corbin poses and gets mostly boos. Corbin continues working on Aries’ arm and talking trash. Aries tries to fight back but Corbin hits him with elbows. Aries with several forearms and shots to the chest to fight free. Aries unloads with chops in the corner. Aries takes Corbin down and drives a knee to the back. Aries traps Corbin in the ropes and works him over. Aries with a double ax handle to the back of the neck. Aries keeps Corbin in the ropes and goes to the top. Corbin gets out but Aries still nails a missile dropkick in the ring. Aries with a corner dropkick that sends Corbin to the floor.
Aries runs the ropes and nails a dive into the barrier. Corbin ends up catching Aries with Deep Six on the floor and a “holy shit” chant starts. Corbin goes back in the ring and tells the referee to count. Aries barely makes it back in and Corbin can’t believe it. Aries is still down but motions for Corbin to bring it. Corbin starts beating on him and fans boo. The referee checks on Aries. Corbin goes for End of Days but it’s countered with a roll up for the win out of nowhere.
Winner: Austin Aries
– After the bell, Aries rolls to the floor and Corbin looks frustrated. Aries smiles at him from ringside as we go to replays.
– We come back from a break and see the video from earlier today of NXT Champion Finn Balor arriving. We get a video package for the next match.
Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
We see Scott Hall and Sean Waltman at ringside before Sami Zayn makes his way out. Justin Credible was also there but not acknowledged. Sami makes his way out to a big pop. Sami’s music finally stops and he takes a seat in the corner. The crowd is fired up and starts chanting “Nakamura” before his music hits. His full name Shinsuke Nakamura appears on the screen and out comes The King of Strong Style to a big pop for his debut. We see Sami looking on smiling.
Fans chant “holy shit” as Nakamura wraps his entrance. Sami is still seated in the corner, now staring at Nakamura. Fans are going nuts as the bell rings. The dueling chants for both men start up. Sami is still seated but finally gets up. Nakamura, full of charisma, almost meets Sami in the middle of the ring and a big “yes!” chant starts. They back up and get ready to lock up. Nakamura ducks it and struts.
More playing to the crowd and each other start. Nakamura with a big knee to the gut. Sami avoids some kicks. They lock up and Sami works on the arm. Nakamura turns it around on him. Sami turns it back around and takes him to the mat by the arm. Fans chant “this is wrestling” now. Sami with arm drags that send Nakamura to the corner. Fans chant NXT as they stare each other down again. Nakamura calls for a test of strength but unloads with kicks instead. Nakamura drops a big knee for a 2 count. They trade counters and Nakamura takes Sami down with an armbar. They get up and Sami fights out with an elbow. Nakamura with another knee. Sami ends up down in the corner. He blocks a kick but gets caught with an enziguri for a 1 count. Sami counters a hold and hits a suplex for a 2 count. Sami with a big forearm and a chop into the corner. Sami takes Nakamura to the other corner and keeps control. Sami with a kick to the jaw for a 2 count.
Nakamura fights back out of the corner but gets knocked over the top rope to the floor. Sami waits for him to come back in and grabs him on the apron. Nakamura nails a kick to the head. Nakamura with a knee to the face from the floor and another to the back of the head from up on the apron. Sami falls to the floor. Fans do dueling chants as Nakamura brings it back in. Sami counters a corner attack but ends up face down laid across the top turnbuckle. Nakamura with a big running knee to the gut for a close 2 count. Sami counters a move and dumps Nakamura over the top rope again. Fans cheer as Sami runs the ropes and nails a huge dive to the floor. Sami brings it back in and goes to the top for a crossbody and a close 2 count.
Fans chant “this is awesome” now. Nakamura blocks a suplex with a knee to the head. Nakamura with knees to the head on the mat. Sami catches Nakamura and nails a Michinoku Driver. Fans sing “ole!” now as they get up. Sami and Nakamura trade shots in the middle of the ring. They unloads with forearms on each other as fans do the “yes!” chant. Nakamura’s nose is busted and bleeding. They continue trading shots in the middle of the ring until they’re both exhausted and fans cheer them. Nakamura connects with several forearms in a row. Nakamura with knees to the head and then kicks. The referee is warning Nakamura but he continues kicking Sami in the head. The referee wipes the blood from Nakamura as he plays up how Sami is being disrespected. Fans chant “King of Strong Style” now. Nakamura runs the ropes but Sami nails a big clothesline.
Sami runs Nakamura over but Nakamura nails a knee. Nakamura catches Sami in a big armbar in the middle of the ring. He turns it into a triangle and the shoulders go down for a 2 count. Sami turns the hold over and breaks it as fans cheer them again. Sami with a big right hand to the head. Sami with more strikes. Sami unloads with boots to the head like Nakamura did him on the ropes earlier. Nakamura comes back with a big jab to the face. They end up on the mat and Sami gets the Koji Clutch applied in the middle of the ring. It’s turned into a close 2 count. They get to their feet and Nakamura nails an enziguri that dazes Sami. He falls to the mat and fans chant “fight forever” now. Nakamura gets up first. He ends up kicking Sami back into the corner with a one-legged dropkick to the jaw. Sami misses a Helluva Kick in the corner. Nakamura with an inverted exploder. Sami blocks the big running knee and hits the Blue Thunderbomb for a close 2 count.
Fans go wild and start chanting for NXT again. Nakamura goes to the floor. Fans chant “this is awesome” as Sami follows. Sami goes for the signature DDT through the turnbuckle but Nakamura kicks him in the head. Fans chant “holy shit” again. They are back in the ring now. Nakamura goes up. Sami fights him and climbs up for a superplex. Nakamura fights him. Nakamura with a headbutt. Sami goes to the mat and Nakamura also stumbles down. Nakamura charges in the corner but Sami catches him for an exploder. Nakamura blocks it and beats Sami down with elbows to the neck. Nakamura goes to the second rope for a big knee to the back of the head. Nakamura nails the Bomaye for the win.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
– After the match, fans go crazy as Nakamura looks on at Sami. We go to replays. We come back to Nakamura standing tall and Sami still down. Nakamura drops to one knee and extends his hand. Sami stares at him. Fans chant “thank you Sami” as this was likely his last NXT match. Sami pulls himself up using the ropes. They shake hands and hug. Nakamura’s music hits as he raises Sami’s hand. Nakamura makes his exit to a pop as Sami looks on from the ring. The “ole!” chants start up again as Sami looks around the crowd. Sami soaks it all in and leaves the ring as his music hits. Sami stops on the stage and salutes the crowd before heading to the back.
– We come back from a Hall of Fame plug and see Samoa Joe backstage warming up. We get a video package for the next match.
NXT Women’s Title Match: Asuka vs. Bayley
We see Stephanie McMahon in the ring cheering but fans boo her. Asuka makes her way out first to a pop. NXT Women’s Champion Bayley is out next to a big pop.
We get formal ring introductions from Greg Hamilton and the fans are really going at it early. Bayley avoids a kick to start. They lock up and Bayley takes the arm. Asuka counters and they trade more holds, going to the mat with Bayley in control of the arm. More back and forth. They run the ropes and do more counters. Bayley avoids a kick and we have a stalemate. Asuka with kicks. Bayley with a shot to the face. Asuka with a forearm and the flying hip attack. Asuka with a kick to the head. Asuka goes to hit a hip attack on the apron but Bayley moves and she gets caught in the ropes. Bayley nails her and goes to the second rope for another 2 count. Bayley takes Asuka to the corner with shoulder thrusts. Asuka sends Bayley to the apron but Bayley goes to the top for a crossbody and a 2 count. Bayley drops a knee and keeps control but Asuka catches her in a Fujiwara armbar. It’s broken but Asuka unloads in the corner. Bayley ducks a kick in the corner and turns Asuka upside down. Bayley with kicks. Bayley uses the bottom rope to drop an elbow while Asuka is upside down. Bayley with a 2 count.
Asuka goes to the top but Bayley rocks her with forearms. Fans with dueling chants now. Bayley with a top rope hurricanrana for a 2 count. Bayley locks in her guillotine choke now. She tightens it in the middle of the ring. Asuka breaks it and applies the ankle lock. Bayley rolls through and sends Asuka out to the floor. Bayley sells an ankle injury but ends up diving through the ropes and taking Asuka down with a scissors. Bayley brings it back in the ring for a 2 count. Bayley rocks Asuka with shots but Asuka just yells at her. They run the ropes and Asuka hits a dropkick. Asuka with kicks. Asuka counters in the corner and nails a missile dropkick. Asuka with more kicks with Bayley on her knees. Bayley counters and hits a forearm. Asuka drops her again and hits a running knee for a 2 count.
Bayley with a 2 count. More dueling chants, more back and forth. Bayley with a big suplex. Bayley ducks one kick but gets caught with another and goes down. Fans chant “this is awesome” as the referee counts. They get up and both go for dropkicks at the same time. They get up trading forearms. Asuka nails a big one to the face. Bayley gets mad and fires back. Bayley drops her into Asuka’s kneebar. Asuka makes it to the bottom rope but Bayley pulls her back and slams the knee. Asuka fights to her feet but Bayley elbows her other knee. Bayley continues working on the legs now as fans cheer her.
Asuka catches Bayley in an armbar out of nowhere. Bayley fights it but Asuka reverses it and sits on her. Bayley rolls her up for a 2 count. Bayley ducks kicks and rolls Asuka up for a 2 count. Bayley avoids the Asuka Lock and nails a suplex. Bayley with a low clothesline for another 2 count. Bayley struggles to get a submission applied as we get more back and forth. Asuka escapes and kicks out. Asuka blocks the Belly-to-Bayley. Asuka with a kick that dazes Bayley. Asuka with a suplex and an armbar. Bayley gets to her feet and tries to break the Asuka Lock. Bayley is reaching for the ropes but Asuka drops her to the mat and tightens the hold. Asuka pulls them back up as Bayley is still trying to get all the way out. Asuka takes them back to the mat and tightens it. Bayley is fading as the referee checks on her. She passes out for the win.
Winner and New NXT Women’s Champion: Asuka
– After the match, Asuka goes to celebrate as we get replays. We come back to Bayley down on the floor but sitting up as officials check on her. Asuka continues celebrating and limps away, stopping to look at a disappointed Bayley. Asuka stops again on the stage and turns around to raise the title.
– We come back and see Bobby Roode at ringside. The announcers refer to him as a free agent.
NXT Title Match: Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor
We see Samoa Joe make his way out. NXT Champion Finn Balor is out next as The Demon and he has a chainsaw.
They meet in the middle of the ring for a pop. Hamilton does formal ring introductions and Joe gets mostly boos. Balor raises the title and gets a pop. They wait in the corners as the bell rings and fans do dueling chants. Joe attacks and they go at it. Joe tosses Balor to the floor but he comes right back in and unloads. Joe tosses Balor back to the floor. He comes right back in and they go at it. Joe is already bleeding from the face. Balor tosses Joe to the floor and dives out.
Joe tosses Balor over the barrier and takes out a member of security doing so. Joe has blood all over him. Balor takes a few minutes recovering comes right out of the crowd and takes Joe down. They bring it back in the ring. The referee tries to tend to Joe’s cut but fans boo. Balor ignores it and goes right to work. They keep fighting and brawling while Joe pours blood. Joe unloads and drops Balor with an enziguri on the apron. Balor nails a big dive to the floor and sends Balor into the barrier. Fans go wild and chant “holy shit” as Balor has Joe’s blood on him. Fans boo as the referee checks on Balor. Trainers are out checking on Joe now. Fans chant “let them fight” and then “bullshit” as Joe takes Balor. They keep trying to check on Joe but he won’t let them. Fans boo. More trainers are out and they finally clean him up. Balor waits in the ring and fans aren’t happy.
Joe comes back in and they go at it. Joe levels Balor and the “Joe’s gonna kill you” chants start back up. Joe puts a knee to the back and keeps Balor grounded now. Joe ends up hitting a big kick for a 2 count. The referee stops the match and a trainer comes in to work on Joe’s cut again. Fans boo and chant “bullshit” again. They chant “fuck PG” now. They go at it again and Joe drops Balor with an elbow. Joe with boots to the face in the corner now. Joe with the running boot in the corner. Joe takes Balor up but Balor fights him. Balor comes off the top but gets caught in an atomic drop. Joe with a big boot and big kicks. Joe with a knee drop for a close 2 count.
Balor ends up nailing a dropkick and they both go down. The trainer takes the opportunity to work on Joe’s cut again. Balor with running forearms and Joe finally goes down. Balor with a big chop in the corner, and another. Balor runs to another corner for another chop. Joe blocks the next with a kick. Joe goes up but Balor chops him and knocks him down to the floor. Balor with a dropkick through the ropes. Balor with the huge running kick to the jaw from the apron. Balor brings it back in and charges for a Sling Blade. Joe counters and catches him in a slam for a 2 count. Joe beats Balor down in the corner now as fans do more dueling chants. Balor blocks a running boot but misses a dropkick. Joe with a senton for a close 2 count. Joe goes for a powerbomb and nails it. Balor kicks at 2. Joe turns it into a Boston Crab in the middle of the ring. Joe turns it into a Crossface.
Balor breaks out and hits a double stomp. Balor with a Sling Blade and a dropkick into the corner. Joe goes down. Balor goes to the top but Joe nails him in the throat. Balor fights off a Musclebuster. Joe with an enziguri. Joe nails the Musclebuster but Balor kicks out just in time. Joe can’t believe it. Fans want one more. Joe runs into a forearm. Joe fights back with strikes. Balor fires back with some of his own. Joe with a big forearm. Balor with a pele kick and they’re both down again. Fans count along with the referee as they start to move. Balor gets up and yells. Balor with a Sling Blade and another dropkick into the corner. Balor goes up and nails the Coup de Grace. Balor goes for a Bloody Sunday but Joe applies the Coquina Clutch and tightens it. Balor counters and pushes himself out of the corner, dropping Joe and holding it for the pin.
Winner: Finn Balor
– After the bell, Joe sits up and can’t believe it. Joe gets to his feet as Balor is handed the title while he’s still down. Joe looks angry but leaves the ring without doing anything. Balor stands and has his hand raised by the referee as his music plays. We see the headbutt that cut Joe open in the first part of the match. Joe stops up the ramp and looks back at Balor. They stare each other down before Balor turns his attention back to the crowd and Joe makes his exit. “Takeover: Dallas” goes off the air with Balor holding the title high.
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