Every 2-3 months, WWE’s developmental roster down in NXT puts on a one night showcase on the WWE Network that usually is a better product than anything WWE itself puts on. Last night, NXT took things to another level with an absolute classic of a show, featuring THREE of the best matches you will ever see in professional wrestling. Let’s take a look at what went down.
Kevin Owens Obliterates Sami Zayn to Claim NXT Title
While there were some great matches on the card for NXT Takeover: Rival, none was more anticipated than the NXT Title match between former best friends turned bitter enemies Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. For those unaware of the history between the two, they have basically wrestled each other all over the world, I highly suggest wrestling fans check out the El Generico/Kevin Steen rivalry from Ring of Honor, you won’t be disappointed.
This match was set up by Owens power-bombing Zayn into the side of the ring at the last NXT special after Zayn had finally won the NXT title. For two months, the Champ has been waiting to get his hands on Owens, who took advantage of the situation and extracted an NXT title shot from it. So after what felt like FOREVER, the two finally locked up last night and did not disappoint.
As the bell rings Owens immediately rolls out of the ring instead of locking up with Zayn. He gets back inside and then again rolls out of the ring, trying to get into the Champs head. The ref starts yelling at Owens to get back into the ring, but Zayn decides he’s not waiting anymore.
Yup, one move in and we can already see this is going to be a good one.
Despite the move, Owens quickly takes control of Zayn, delivering one of the loudest chops to the chest that you’ll ever hear. He slows things down and methodically picks Zayn apart, taunting the crowd along the way just in case people didn’t know who the best heel in NXT is. Owens is tossing Zayn all over the ring and the Champ is doing an amazing job of selling just how brutal every move is.
Owens then throws Zayn outside of the ring and slowly takes him apart. Owens throws the Champ off the barricade, then throws him into the steps, and plays to the crowd the entire time, enjoying every second of this. Owens is enjoying beating Zayn on the outside so much that he rolls into the ring and back out to break the refs count and continue his assault.
Finally back in the ring and Owens is still decimating Zayn. Owens gets a near-fall following a running senton and out of nowhere Zayn hits a massive clothesline on Owens and is back in business as he sends the challenger over the ropes. Back in the ring they are absolutely brawling and Zayn takes control with a huge Blue Thunder Bomb.
Seriously, how the hell did Zayn do that to a guy Owens size?!
Despite the monster move, Owens kicks out at two. Zayn tries to set up for the Helluva Kick, but he runs head on into a super kick from Owens and the challenger is again in control as Zayn looks like he might be out cold. Owens immediately hits a big splash on Zayn, but the champ somehow kicks out for another near-fall. At this point, Owens is starting to become frustrated that he can’t put Zayn away.
The challenger goes for a pop-up power bomb, but Zayn counters it into a nice dropkick to take back control. Owens tries to roll out again and hits Zayn’s neck on the ropes as the champ tries to pull him back in. Owens then heads up top and goes for a senton bomb (seriously, 270 pounds pulling a Jeff Hardy) but Zayn gets hiss knees up and now the champ is looking to finish things off. Zayn hits his patented Exploder suplex into the bottom turnbuckle and then sets up for the Helluva Kick again but Owens rolls out of the ring.
Zayn goes after the challenger, but Owens takes control and tries to power bomb Zayn into the side of the ring again. This time, Zayn counters by landing on the apron and hitting an awesome springboard/elbow combo.
The only issue is it looks like Zayn got the worse of the move after the champ slammed his head on the ramp. Ouch.
Both men roll back into the ring and Zayn is looking dizzy as he can barely get to his feet. He tries to set up a Helluva kick but stumbles, so he restarts and tries again but the extra time allows Owens to counter and hit a massive pop-up power bomb. 1…2… THE CHAMP KICKS OUT!
Owens again tries to take control, delivering this incredibly unique move for one more near-fall.
This absolutely pisses Owens off as the challenger goes ballistic in the ring. He’s hitting massive elbows, lands an absolutely vicious uppercut, then follows it up by choking Zayn on the ropes. Owens hits a power bomb but somehow Zayn kicks out and now the medics are checking on the Champ. Yeah, Owens doesn’t care about your medics. He picks up Zayn and hits two more power bombs then goes for the cover. 1..2… ZAYN KICKED OUT AGAIN?!
Zayn is showing some incredible heart kicking out of these vicious power bombs, but the challenger is not letting up. Medics try to check on the Champ and again, Owens grabs him and hits multiple power bombs. Owens goes for a third straight power bomb but at the orders of the medics, the ref runs in and breaks things up and calls the match.
Seriously, watch the 10-second clip above and try not to cringe. That was one of the most brutal beat-downs we’ve seen in NXT, or WWE period since the start of the PG-Era.
There’s silence from the announcers and confusion ringside as we await to see what’s next. Then the announcement is that the ref has stopped the match because Zayn cannot continue and there for the winner… AND NEW NXT CHAMPION IS KEVIN OWENS!
Wow! Everyone in the arena is in shock, and I don’t mean normal shock, I’m talking Brock Lesnar beating the Undertaker-level shock.
It takes Kevin Owens exactly two months to debut in NXT and win the title in the most brutal fashion possible. The man didn’t just beat Sami Zayn, he incapacitated him to the point that we had a match stopped altogether. How many times do you ever see a title change hands in that fashion?
Just an incredible match from both wrestlers. In case you didn’t notice, Kevin Owens is the real deal. The new Champ dominated Zayn in such a way that announcers couldn’t help but compare it to Brock Lesnar’s title win over John Cena at SummerSlam.
Your NXT Champ, the incredibly twisted and dangerous Kevin Owens.
FLIP THE PAGES TO SEE WHO THE NEW #1 CONTENDER FOR OWENS TITLE IS…..
