Finn Balor Has Officially Risen
After the main event, the most anticipated match of the night was easily the Finals of the #1 Contender’s Tournament. One of NXT’s hottest new stars, Finn Balor, took on the longest reigning NXT Champion in history Adrien Neville. The winner? Well they just earn a shot at Kevin Owens and the NXT title.
We kick things off with Balor’s awesome intro. The Irishman comes out in body paint, with plenty of smoke around him, stalking the ring and intimidating his opponent. It’s a bit longer than an intro should be, but seriously Balor is so into it the whole thing is just so cool.
The start of the match was a bit different than what most fans expected, with Neville taking control and slowing things down to a complete halt with a few headlocks. Nevills strategy seems to be to wear down the newcomer and not let him get going in what is easily the biggest match of his NXT career.
It doesn’t take long for Balor to make his comeback and that’s when things really start to pick up. Neville heads up top but Balor hits a huge enziguiri on him and then hits a flying swanton bomb over the top rope on Neville that has some serious effects on both men.
Neville is the first to recover and he heads to the other side of the ring to catch a breather. Only we see Balor creeping around the ringpost and…
Balor hits a monstrous hesitation drop-kick that sends Neville through the barricade!
The rookie then rolls Neville back into the ring and heads up to the top turnbuckle looking for the kill and he hits a massive double-stomp to the back of Neville’s head!
That’s got to be it as Neville looks like he’s out cold. 1…2…NEVILLE KICKS OUT! HOW?! Balor is in absolute shock that Neville was able to kick out.
Neville then begins to mount his comeback, countering a clothesline attempt by Balor into a huge German Suplex for the near-fall. Now it’s Neville who can’t believe his opponent kicked out. Neville decides it’s time to get serious, and heads to the second rope for this awesome corkscrew somersault.
1…2… AND NOW BALOR KICKS OUT!
Back and forth battle between the two and Balor hits a massive clothesline that sends Neville flying.
Both men are down now and Neville takes control. The former champ heads up top and goes for a Red Arrow before Balor tries to counter. Neville hits Balor with a big kick to the head and tries again for the Red Arrow, but Balor gets his knees up and blocks it!
Balor hits a massive dropkick that sends Neville into the turnbuckle, and he heads up top to hit a double foot stomp for the 1…2..3! Your winner and #1 contender for the NXT title… Finn Balor.
Owens is champ and Balor is #1 Contender. Yeah, the future has arrived in NXT folks.
FLIP THE PAGES TO SEE WHICH MATCH ABSOLUTELY STOLE THE SHOW LAST NIGHT…..
