- The show kicks off with William Regal in his office. Due to an injury sustained at the hands of Nia Jax, Bayley is unable to compete against Asuka at Takeover. Instead, there will be a #1 Contenders match between Nia, Alexa Bliss, and Carmella.
- Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa vs TM61-THE MIGHTY DON'T KNEEL BAYABAY! THEY'RE FINALLY IN NXT! THIS IS AWESOME! Although I've got to ask...why TM61? What does that name mean? My first thought was something from Pokemon, since that's the only place I've ever seen "TM" followed by numbers, but I'm guessing they aren't named after a move in Pokemon. Whatever, it's still cool that they're here. Plus, Gargano & Ciampa are now officially part of NXT, and how dope is that? Also, in their picture-in-picture interview, TM61 drops the line "We are the mighty, and the mighty don't kneel" and I marked out. This is lit in 1000 ways and the match hasn't even started. Ciampa starts off Nick Miller (Mikey Nicholls). Quick nit pick, Miller's boot still have "MN" on them for Mikey Nicholls. The two go back and forth for a while before both tag out, bringing in Gargano and Shane Thorne (Shane Haste). The two go back and forth as well before Thorne takes Gargano down with a snapmare and a dropkick. TM61 works over Gargano until he sneaks past Miller and makes the tag to Ciampa. Ciampa and Miller trade chops until Miller makes the tag, and TM61 hits a fist drop/standing moonsault combo for a two count. Gargano runs in only to be tossed out of the ring, and Thorne fakes a dive to the outside, flipping off the ropes instead, before the commercial break. We come back with TM61 working over Ciampa until Ciampa blocks a roll up and makes the tag, allowing Gargano to launch himself through the ropes for a spear. Gargano locks in a submission on Thorne, who is able to make it to the ropes, before he and Ciampa chop away at Thorne. Ciampa continues to work over Thorne until Thorne hits a drop kick and makes the tag. Miller runs wild on Ciampa, tossing him into Gargano in the ring and hitting a double clothesline. Miller blocks a sunset flip attempt by Ciampa, catching him in mid air, makes the tag and hits an Alabama Slam into a neckbreaker by Thorne, but Gargano breaks up the pin. Gargano superkicks Miller to the outside and hits a suicide dive. Ciampa hits a big chop followed by a running knee in the corner, which he goes too hard for and flies over the top rope, makes the tag, and he and Gargano hit a running knee/superkick combo for the win. Great match, lots of fun. Pretty surprised TM61 took the loss in their first match, but I'm assuming they've got things coming for them.
- Backstage, Cathy Kelly interviews Bayley about not being able to compete at Takeover. She says it was the last thing she wanted, but she knows she's not 100% to face Asuka. Incomes Nia Jax, who says she broke Bayley and shoves her. In comes Carmella to Bayley's defense. Nia says she'll run through her and Alexa Bliss tonight, which brings out Alexa. Nia was she's not even worth it and leaves. Alexa tells Carmella tonight is her opportunity, and Carmella says she'll make her tap out
- We get a vignette for Andrade "Cien" Almas, the former La Sombra.
- Up next is Austin Aries for a promo. He says "The Best" is an overused phrase in sports, and he says he's great because no one can take that away. He says when he came to NXT, other people were grabbing the attention, but that's going to change. He throws out the challenge to whoever leaves Takeover the NXT Champion, and the lights go out. This brings out Shinsuke Nakamura, who has done great work beating Alex Riley so bad a few weeks ago he had to leave WWE. The crowd is completely behind Nakamura, and Nakamura says the title isn't going to Aries, it's going to him. This brings out William Regal, who says he wants to see the two compete, and books Austin Aries vs Shinsuke Nakamura at Takeover. The two shake hands and stare each other down. There's definitely an Aries heel turn coming soon.
- Backstage, American Alpha get interviewed about their match against the Revival at Takeover. Jordan says they are the toughest team they've faced, but they're ready for what they bring. Gable says they can bring whatever they want, and they'll be ready for them
- No Way Jose vs Jonathon Ortagun-Another gear mistake, Ortagun's trunks have "Vandal" written across the back. Jose dominates the match and counters Ortagun's offense with dancing. Jose does his great "airplane spin, get dizzy, then back to spinning" spot followed by a rolling senton and a leg drop. Jose hits a couple of strikes, an atomic drop, and a bulldog before setting up for the finish. Jose hits a straight punch, followed by a huge cobra clutch slam for the win. Quick squash, nothing special. Jose is really over with the crowd.
- Backstage, Cathy Kelly interviews Asuka about the #1 Contenders match tonight. She says it doesn't matter who wins because she'll beat them.
- Carmella vs Alexa Bliss vs Nia Jax in a #1 Contenders match-Alexa quickly rolls out of the ring at the beginning of the match. Nia quickly muscles Carmella around, tossing her and pushing her around the ring, and blocking any offense she tries. During this Alexa climbs to the top rope. Hilariously, as soon as Nia turns around, Alexa realizes she's made a horrible mistake, and hops right back down.
We got to commercial and come back with Nia still beating down Carmella. Carmella manages to toss Nia from the ring with a hurricanrana, which prompts Alexa to slide into the ring and beat down Carmella. After almost getting rolled up, Alexa hits a VADER BOMB! I love it so much. Carmella fights back, only to get caught with an ALEXA BLISS CHOKE SPOT!
God, I just want her to chokeslam someone once. I don't care if it makes no sense, I just want it to happen so bad. Unfortunately, she only hits an STO followed by the Glitz Flip for a two count. Alexa dodges Nia, who elbow drops Carmella, and forearms her to the ground, followed by a double knee drop. Alexa goes up top and hits the Sparkle Splash on Nia, but Carmella breaks up the pin. Carmella & Alexa try to suplex Nia, but she over powers them and suplexes both of them. The two are able to make Nia fall out of the ring, and Carmella hits a nice superkick and follows it up with a suicide dive, but Nia catches her. Alexa kicks her from the apron, making her drop Carmella back in the ring. Carmella knocks Alexa off the apron and goes for the suicide dive again, this time taking out Nia. Back in the ring, Carmella runs wild on Alexa, hitting a Bronco Buster and locks in her modified headscissors, but Nia pulls Alexa out of the hold and out of the ring, Back in the ring, Carmella locks in a sleeper hold, but Nia escapes by going into the corner. Carmella hits a top rope Thesz Press for a two count and calls for another Bronco Buster, but Nia catches her, hits a sloppy slam, and follows up with a leg drop for the win. Great match. Post match, Asuka comes down to the ring for a staredown with Nia.
And that's about it. Overall, a great show with two great matches. Not a lot of wrestling, but it made up for it with the great wrestling it had...and No Way Jose.
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