NXT TakeOver New Orleans Results
April 7, 2018
New Orleans, Louisiana
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
We go into the arena, and people are holding up green glow sticks. A loud “NXT” chant fires up. A live band plays the theme of the show while the video plays in the background.
NXT North American Championship – Ladder Match
EC3 vs. Killian Dain vs. Adam Cole vs. The Velveteen Dream vs. Lars Sullivan vs. Ricochet
The bell rings, and the crowd is already chanting, “This is awesome.” EC3 bails out of the ring while Cole and Dream attack Ricochet. Dain then throws Dream out of the ring. Sullivan and Dain come face-to-face with EC3 egging them on. They turn to EC3 and attack. Sullivan and Dain come out on top before arguing with each other. Ricochet then takes them out with a springboard shooting star press plancha! Wow! Ricochet grabs a ladder and puts it in the ring. Ricochet sets up the ladder, but Dream attacks. Ricochet gets the better of him and hits a head-scissor takeover before kipping up and dropkicking him down. Dream quickly drops him on the apron, but Ricochet punches him back. Ricochet goes for a springboard, but Dream hits the ropes to knock him to the floor. Dream climbs the ladder, but Cole cuts him off and stomps him down in the corner. Dain grabs Cole, but Cole lays him out with a step-up enzuigiri. Cole hits Dream with a fireman’s carry neckbreaker. EC3 runs in and attacks Cole before hitting a rolling neck snapper. Sullivan runs in and clean house before hitting a flapjack powerslam on Cole. Sullivan then hits EC3 with a powerslam. Dain throws Sullivan out of the ring and wipes him out with a suicide dive!
Dain hits Ricochet and Dream with clotheslines before picking them both up. Cole quickly big boots him down. Cole and Ricochet trade blows before Dain gets involved. A brawl has broken out between Dream, Ricochet, Cole, and Dain. EC3 runs in and punches away at Ricochet. Sullivan comes into the ring with another ladder and throws it at the other five! Sullivan rans it into Dain before flooring Cole and EC3. Ricochet and Dream meet the same fate. Sullivan sets the ladder up in the corner and sends Dain into it. Sullivan grabs Dream and gorilla presses him midsection first onto a ladder. Sullivan sets up the ladder and climbs, but Ricochet cuts him off. Ricochet goes for a sunset flip powerbomb, but Sullivan hangs on. Cole, Dream, and EC3 join in to complete the bomb. Cole gets in Dain’s face and talks trash. Dain then head-butts him down. Ricochet charges Dain, but Dain gives him a back body drop onto the ladder. Dain sets up the ladder in the center of the ring and climbs, but EC3 takes him out with a face-buster off the ladder. EC3 and Cole join forces to hit Sullivan with the ladder and punch him down. Sullivan is in the corner with the ladder wedged in his midsection. They then get a large ladder and build a bridge from the apron to the commentary table. They send Dain ribs-first into the ladder. Cole and EC3 get in the ring and ram Sullivan in the midsection with the ladder before doing a high five. Cole then turns on EC3 and gives him a fireman’s carry slam onto the ladder. Cole hits Dream, Dain, and Sullivan with superkicks. Ricochet goes for a springboard, but Cole superkicks him out of mid-air. Cole sets up the ladder and climbs while the crowd loudly chants, “Adam Cole.” Sullivan knocks over the ladder. Dream hits Sullivan with the ladder.
Dream goes to the top rope and drops the Purple Rainmaker on Dain. Dream then hits Cole with the Purple Rainmaker. Dream to the top rope once again for a third Purple Rainmaker to the back of Ricochet’s head. Dream picks up the ladder, but Sullivan powers him to the corner and wedges the ladder into him. Sullivan goes for an avalanche, but Dream hits him in the face with the ladder. Dream sets the ladder up in the corner and climbs. This is a much taller ladder than the others. Dreams stands on the top of the ladder and poses before dropping a MASSIVE Purple Rainmaker on Sullivan! A LOUD “Velveteen” chant fires up. Dream climbs the ladder and touches the title, but EC3 climbs the ladder and powerbombs Dream off the ladder onto another ladder in the corner! Dain runs in and dropkicks EC3. EC3 quickly takes Dain down and starts to climb the ladder. Cole pulls him off and quickly climbs. EC3 cuts Cole off and climbs the ladder before hitting a TKO off the ladder! Another “This is awesome” chant picks up. EC3 climbs the ladder, but Dain rips him off and hits a bicycle kick. Dain climbs the ladder, but Cole stops him. Dain throws him to the corner before lifting EC3 up for a fireman’s carry slam. Dain picks up a ladder and slams it down on EC3. Dain then hits him with a senton splash with the ladder on him! Mauro Ranallo calls it a pyrrhic move. Dain climbs the ropes, but Cole jumps on his back. Dain then hits a Vader Bomb onto the ladder on top of EC3 with Cole on his back! Wow!
Dain and Sullivan come face-to-face, but Ricochet gets in the way. Ricochet hits them both with bicycle kicks. Sullivan quickly turns him and throws him across the ring in front of Dain. Dain looks upset. The crowd chants, “Throw him back,” which Dain is more than happy to oblige. Ricochet falls out of the ring in pain. Dain and Sullivan exchange punches in the center of the ring. Dain kicks Sullivan in the midsection before clotheslining him down. Dain charges Sullivan, but Sullivan catches him and slams him down. Sullivan is alone in the ring with the ladders. Sullivan sets one up and slowly starts to climb. Ricochet cuts him off and pulls him off the ladder before connecting with a superkick. Ricochet quickly climbs the ladder, but Sullivan begins tipping it over. Ricochet then does a moonsault block off the ladder onto Dain and Cole, who are outside the ring! Ricochet pulls himself up to the apron and hits Sullivan with a springboard dropkick. EC3 quickly chop blocks Ricochet and puts him on the top rope before wildly chopping him. Ricochet kicks him back, and EC3 falls onto a ladder. Ricochet then hits a shooting star press onto EC3, sandwiching him onto the ladder! Ricochet climbs the ladder, but Dream cuts him off and kicks him down. Apparently Dream was busted open. Ricochet and Dream go to hit each other with ladders, but they create a ladder bridge in the ring. Dream lays Ricochet onto the ladder, and he climbs the other ladder. Ricochet cuts him off. Ricochet hits a double leg takedown on the ladder bridge. Dream quickly kicks the leg and after a few moments hits a rolling death valley driver on the ladder bridge! Unreal! Everyone is down now. Dream gets up outside the ring, and Sullivan wipes him out with a clothesline. Sullivan puts Dream on the ladder bridge that was set up earlier. Sullivan gets on the apron, but EC3 cuts him off. Sullivan pulls EC3 to the apron and hits the Freak Accident onto Dream through the ladder bridge! The ladder snaps in two! The crowd is going wild.
Dain sets up another ladder bridge and puts Ricochet onto it. Dain gets on the apron, and Cole cuts him off. Dain picks up Cole and leaps off the apron, slamming him through Ricochet and the ladder bridge! A “Fight Forever” chant fires up. Sullivan is the last one standing, and he gets in the ring before setting the ladder up under the North American Championship. Sullivan slowly climbs the ladder, but Dain climbs the opposite side. They exchange blows before EC3 gets in the ring and hits them both with a ladder. EC3 sets his ladder up side-by-side of Sullivan and Dain’s. Cole and EC3 then start climbing the ladder. There is a four-way brawl happening on the ladders. Dream runs in and sets up another ladder side-by-side. There are three ladders, and all five are fighting it out. Ricochet somehow gets back in the ring and climbs the ladder. Cole is knocked to the canvas. Cole and EC3 take each other out. Dream gets his hands on the title, but Ricochet stops him. Ricochet then hits Dream with an avalanche neckbreaker off the ladder! Sullivan then wipes out Dain with a Freak Accident off the ladder! Sullivan climbs the ladder, but Ricochet springboards off the ropes and jumps on his back. The ladder buckles under the weight. Ricochet sets up the ladder and climbs, but Cole knocks him off to the floor. Cole climbs the ladder and claims the NXT North American Championship!
Winner and new NXT North American Champion: Adam Cole
Adam Cole is the first ever NXT North American Champion! Cole celebrates with the title while replays are shown.
https://twitter.com/Its0nlyRachel/status/982780470789369856
https://twitter.com/Its0nlyRachel/status/982780626611920896
That was a phenomenal ladder match. So much innovative offense. Ricochet had a tremendous debut. Love going with Adam Cole here for the win. There's so much you can do with that. What a match. Tough for the rest of the card to follow that. #NXTTakeOver
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) April 8, 2018
Video Package: Ember Moon vs. Shayna Baszler
A live band plays Ember Moon’s theme song while she makes her way to the ring.
NXT Women’s Championship
Ember Moon (c) vs. Shayna Baszler
Ronda Rousey and another horsewoman are at ringside rooting on Shayna Baszler. They do the introductions in the ring to give this a big fight feel.
The bell rings, and Baszler quickly sidesteps a dropkick before punching her out of the ring. Moon kicks her while she gets out of the ring and dropkicks her into the steel steps. Moon gets Baszler into the ring, ducks a clothesline, and hits a springboard codebreaker for a near fall. Moon goes for a crossface, but Baszler quickly gets to the ropes and gets out of the ring to catch her breath. Moon goes for a running kick from the apron, but Baszler blocks it and rips her off to the floor. Baszler throws her into the barricade before putting her in the ring for a one count. Baszler grabs the arm, but Moon kicks her back. Baszler hits a running knee before hitting a gutwrench suplex. Baszler follows up with a kick to the spine for a two count. Baszler then applies a bow and arrow stretch. Moon fights out and hits a head-scissor takeover. Moon hits a handspring elbow smash. Baszler quickly comes back with a knee, but Moon rolls her up for a two count. Baszler hits a second knee for a near fall. Baszler looks upset a bit. Baszler hooks the head, but Moon snaps her off and dropkicks her down for a two count. Baszler quickly goes for the Kirifuda Clutch, but Moon falls back onto Baszler to break it up. Moon sidesteps a running knee from Baszler and kicks away at her before hitting a dropkick. Moon then hits a modified suplex and kicks her for a two count. Baszler sends her into the ropes and sidesteps a springboard cross-body. Baszler quickly steps on the hand and goes to break her arm, but Moon gets away. Moon then steps on Baszler’s hand and stomps the arm! Baszler grabs her arm in pain. Moon goes to the top rope, but Baszler crotches her up there before kicking away at her. Baszler then dropkicks her. Baszler goes to the apron and rams her shoulder twice into the ring post to pop it back into it’s socket! Moon quickly kicks her to the floor and hits the Eclipse off the second rope to the floor! The referee is counting them out, but they get in at nine.
They’re both down in the ring. Baszler is writhing around in pain on the mat. Moon grabs her, but Baszler surprises her with the Kirifuda Clutch. Moon attacks the injured shoulder and counters a triangle choke into a powerbomb for a near fall. Moon goes to the top rope and tries for the Eclipse, but Baszler counters that into the Kirifuda Clutch! Moon looks stunned before Baszler stretches her back. Baszler’s left arm is dead so she grabs her own hair to lock the hold in. Moon grabs the injured left arm, but can’t make headway. Moon nearly gets to the bottom rope and grazes it, but Baszler rolls her to the center of the ring. Moon grabs the left arm again and yanks it, but Baszler fights through the pain. Moon tries for a desperation pin, but Baszler rolls her over. The referee calls for the bell!
Winner by TKO and new NXT Women’s Champion: Shayna Baszler
Baszler embraces Ronda Rousey and Jessamyn Duke at ringside. They are elated.
Pretty decent match with Shayna Baszler and Ember Moon. I really love the presentation from both women. They had to suffer with a quiet crowd that was tuckered out from the unreal ladder match that proceeded it. Still, they worked hard and told a good story. #NXTTakeOver
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) April 8, 2018
A clip is shown from “Fighting With My Family.”
Adam Cole is in the trainer’s room. Kyle O’Reilly is concerned her won’t be able to compete.
Aleister Black is seen warming up backstage.
Video Package: Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals
NXT Tag Team Championships
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals
The Authors of Pain w/ Paul Ellering vs. Pete Dunne and Roderick Strong vs. Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly (c’s)
Dustin Rhodes and Jeff Jarrett are seated at ringside for this match. Adam Cole’s ribs are taped up from the ladder match earlier in the evening.
The AOP quickly attacks both teams. Akam makes a beeline for Adam Cole’s injured ribs. They clear the ring of their opponents. The AOP then hits O’Reilly with a powerbomb neckbreaker, but Cole breaks the pin up. They send Cole out of the ring and clear the commentary table. Paul Ellering is shouting instructions to them. They nearly botch it, but they hit a double-team powerbomb on Cole through the table! O’Reilly quickly takes them out with knees. Strong attacks, but O’Reilly gets out. Dunne grabs the arm, but O’Reilly gets out and kicks away at him. Strong with a backbreaker before hitting Rezar with a knee. Strong hits another backbreaker on O’Reilly for a near fall. Strong lifts O’Reilly, but O’Reilly counters into a guillotine. Akam goes to stomp O’Reilly, but he counters into an ankle lock while holding the guillotine. Rezar then powerbombs Dunne onto O’Reilly! The AOP knees away at Strong in the corner. Akam punches away at him before tagging Rezar in. Rezar knees Strong for a one count. Rezar then applies a chin lock. Strong fights up and elbows out, but Rezar floors him with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. O’Reilly comes in and kicks away at Rezar. Cole is still down in the rubble of the table. Rezar then kills O’Reilly with a German Suplex on his head. O’Reilly quickly gets to his feet before falling out of the ring unconscious. Akam tags in and works over Strong’s midsection. Rezar tags back in and chokes Strong with his foot. Akam tags in and steamrolls Strong with a knee to the ribs. Rezar tags in and knocks Dunne off the apron. O’Reilly jumps on Akam’s back, but Rezar big boots him off. Strong then hits Rezar with an enzuigiri.
Dunne is tagged in, and he punches away at Akam before hitting a forearm shiver. O’Reilly quickly knees him, but Dunne backflips over him. Dunne counters a German Suplex by landing on his feet before kicking O’Reilly in the back of the neck. Dunne counters a slam from Akam for a two count. Dunne and O’Reilly trade vicious blows before Akam runs in and hits them with a double clothesline. The AOP hit Dunne and O’Reilly with the Super Collider. They then hit O’Reilly with The Last Chapter, but Strong breaks it up. Rezar throws Strong out of the ring. Dunne grabs Rezar’s hand and snaps the fingers. Rezar quickly sends Strong into Dunne, but Strong quickly boots Rezar and hits an Olympic Slam for a near fall. Dunne tags back in. Strong gives O’Reilly a back suplex on the apron before Dunne hits him with a double stomp. Strong and Dunne hit Rezar with a double-team slam, but Akam breaks it up. Akam avoids a dropkick from Strong at ringside, but Strong manages to send him into the steps for a near fall. Dunne hits O’Reilly with the Bitter End and covers, but Strong kicks Dunne, his partner, in the head! Strong then hits Dunne with the End of Heartache before putting O’Reilly on top of him.
Winners and still NXT Tag Team Champions: Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly
Roderick Strong takes off Adam Cole’s arm band and joins the Undisputed Era before helping them to their feet! Strong then raises their arms up! The Undisputed Era celebrates in front of the Dusty Rhodes Classic Trophy.
Powerful turn from Roderick Strong on Pete Dunne to join the Undisputed Era. Good ending to what was a sleepy and dull tag match. Great turn. #NXTTakeOver
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) April 8, 2018
Nita Strauss, Alice Cooper’s lead guitarist, is at ringside.
Video Package: NXT Championship Match
NXT Championship
Aleister Black vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas (c) w/ Zelina Vega
The bell rings, and Black quickly big boots him. Black clubs away at him before hitting some wild strikes to knock him out of the ring. Black springboards off the middle rope and lands in a crawl. Black then quickly goes to the second rope and moonsault blocks him to the floor! Black gets him in the ring, and Almas attacks. Black quickly applies the Anti Cross, but Almas gets out. Black punches him at ringside before kicking him. Black gets Almas in the ring, and Selina Vega hits a diving hurricanrana into the steel steps on Black! Almas gets Black in the ring for a near fall. Almas then punches away at him. Almas sends him shoulder-first into the ring post before stomping away at him. Almas sends him to the corner, blocks a kick, and knees him down for a two count. Almas stomps him before going to the apron and locking in a draping arm bar over the top rope. Almas hits a missile dropkick for a near fall. Almas then goes to a chin lock. Almas then grabs the left arm and stretches it. Black fights up and powers him to the corner, but Almas won’t let go. Black backs him to the corner again, but Almas keeps hold of the arm. Black finally gets out, but Almas quickly hooks a sleeper hold. Black gets out and hits a back elbow. Almas immediately big boots him and goes for a move, but Black gets out. Almas then applies another draping arm bar. Almas springboards off the top rope, but Black big boots him out of mid-air! They trade punches before Black kicks the hamstring and hits a pair of back elbows. Black sweeps the legs and hits a sliding kick to the head. Black hits a running forearm before sending him sternum-first into the turnbuckle. Black follows up with the springboard moonsault block for a near fall. Black goes to the top rope, but Almas cuts him off. Almas goes for a superplex, but Black fights out. Black goes for a sunset flip powerbomb, but Almas backflips through. Almas then hits him with a snap German Suplex. Almas goes to the top rope. Black rolls out of the way, but Almas lands on his feet from a moonsault. Almas then hits a standing moonsault for a near fall.
They trade blows in the center of the ring before kicking away at each other. Almas blocks a big spin kick and forearms him before hitting a back elbow for a one count. Black then wipes him out with a big boot for a near fall. They trade blows before each connects with a kick to the temple at the same time. They’re both down. Zelina Vega senses the danger Almas is in. The referee starts counting them down, but they get up. Black charges, but Almas takes him down. Almas goes for a running boot, but Black blocks it. Black goes for a springboard moonsault, but Almas shoves him over the top rope! Almas then hits a corkscrew plancha and immediately throws him into the ring for a near fall. Almas goes outside and grabs the NXT Championship. The referee throws it out of the ring. Vega hits Black with a spike hurricanrana while the referee’s back is turned. Almas picks up a near fall. Almas and Vega cannot believe it. Almas goes for the Hammerlock DDT, but Black counters into a roll up. Black immediately gets up and hits Black Mass and covers, but Vega puts Alma’s foot on the bottom rope to stop the count! Black angrily goes to the apron, but Vega grabs the foot. Black pulls away and goes to the second rope, but Almas crotches him. Almas goes to the top rope and hits a diving double stomp to the floor! Almas then gets in the ring and hits a running double knee smash for a near fall.
Black counters a Hammerlock DDT, but Almas dropkicks him down. They go to the apron and Almas punches him against the ring post. Almas hits a running double knee smash against the ring post! The referee checks on the condition of Black. Almas pulls him into the ring and goes for a Hammerlock DDT, but Black gives him a back body drop over the top rope and to the floor. Black hits the ropes and hits a summersault plancha! Black gets him in the ring, but Almas stuns him with a Hammerlock DDT! Almas covers, but Black kicks out at two and a half! Almas cannot believe it! Vega comes off the top rope, but Black ducks it. Almas catches Vega, and Black floors Almas with Black Mass for the win!
Winner and new NXT Champion: Aleister Black
Aleister Black celebrates with his newly won NXT Championship. Zelina Vega looks devastated at ringside.
https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/982804101368082432
Really wonderful match with Aleister Black beating Andrade Almas to win the #NXTChampionship. Great back and forth affair. Loved Black's offense. Great story with Zelina Vega going to the well once too often and the tactic finally backfiring. Great stuff. #NXTTakeOver
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) April 8, 2018
A clip is shown from “Fighting With My Family.”
Triple H will be on Facebook Live immediately following NXT TakeOver.
Footage is shown of Triple H having Johnny Gargano sign a waiver to compete in this non-sanctioned match. Triple H is in charge with William Regal missing the show due to illness.
Video Package: Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa
Unsanctioned Match
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Johnny Gargano
If Johnny Gargano wins, he will be reinstated into NXT.
Ciampa comes out to loud boos and no music. A loud “You suck” chant picks up for him. A vulger “F— you Ciampa” chant picks up. Ciampa yells that this is his moment.
The bell rings, and they slowly approach one another. Ciampa talks a little trash. They then get into a hockey brawl to the delight of the crowd. Ciampa gets him away, but Gargano comes right back. Ciampa puts him on the apron, but Gargano hits a slingshot spear. Gargano punches away at him in the corner and wildly stomps him down. The crowd is going wild for Gargano. Gargano reverses a whip and sends Ciampa sternum first into the turnbuckle. Gargano clotheslines him over the top rope before connecting with a suicide dive. Gargano punches away at him before Ciampa answers back with a knee. Gargano quickly reverses a whip into the barricade, and Ciampa goes over and into the crowd. Gargano dives over the barricade and tackles him on the concrete floor. Gargano punches away at him. Ciampa quickly powers him into the steel barricade before giving him a front suplex onto it. Ciampa then wildly and stiffly clubs away at the back. Ciampa comes back to the ringside area and gives Gargano a backbreaker. Ciampa then rolls away the ringside mat and exposes the concrete. Gargano quickly attacks, but Ciampa kicks him back. Ciampa clubs him and goes for a suplex on the exposed concrete. Gargano fights it and lands on his feet. Gargano gets on the apron and kicks him in the face before sending him over the commentary table into Percy Watson’s lap. A “Mamma Mia” chant picks up. Gargano takes the top off the table and pulls Ciampa up to the table. Gargano goes for a powerbomb and really hikes up Ciampa’s tights. Ciampa fights it and hits Gargano with a monitor. Ciampa then hits a superplex off the table to the floor! The replays look wildly devastating.
Ciampa is first to his feet, and he stomps away at Gargano. Ciampa leans the wooden table top against the table and gives Gargano a back suplex through it. Another “F— you Ciampa” chant picks up. Ciampa calmly listens to the chant before kicking Gargano in the back. Ciampa puts him on the apron and slams his sternum off it. Ciampa rolls him into the ring and elbows him before ripping at the face. Ciampa talks some trash before stomping the hand. Ciampa turns him inside out in the corner a la Shawn Michaels. Ciampa takes his time with Gargano. Gargano fights back, but Ciampa big boots him. Ciampa then hits a back suplex for a one count. After some fighting from Gargano, Ciampa applies the cloverleaf. Gargano claws his way to the ropes, but there is no rope break. Gargano pulls himself out of the ring. Ciampa viciously stomps the head while he hangs over the apron. Gargano has a wild look on his face and applauds himself.
Ciampa begins looking under the ring for something, but he can’t find it. Ciampa yells at the referee before hitting a running knee to the head. Ciampa then steals crutches from an injured fan at ringside. The angry fan hobbles away. Ciampa gets in the ring and stalks Gargano. Ciampa goes to hit him in the throat with the crutch, but Gargano avoids it. Gargano avoids a few more shots before hitting a takedown and kicking him in the head. Ciampa falls out of the ring. Ciampa slowly gets to the apron. Gargano punches him down, but Ciampa quickly sweeps the feet. Ciampa goes for a suplex from the ring to the exposed floor, but Gargano blocks it. Gargano kicks him and goes for a slingshot DDT onto the exposed floor, but Ciampa blocks it. Ciampa goes for a slam off the apron, but Gargano reverses into a sunset flip powerbomb onto the exposed concrete! Ciampa’s back splats against the concrete! Wow!
After a few moments, Ciampa is somehow on his feet and in the ring. They’re having a tug of war over the crutch. Gargano wins the battle, and Ciampa looks furious. Gargano viciously assaults him with the crutch, culminating with a shot to the injured knee of Ciampa. Ciampa quickly throws him out of the ring, but Gargano answers with a crutch to the skull. Gargano hits a slingshot DDT for a near fall. A loud “Johnny Wrestling” chant picks up. Gargano exposes the middle turnbuckle. Gargano goes for a lawn dart into the exposed turnbuckle, but Ciampa gets out. Ciampa quickly dumps him on the apron and viciously elbows him in the face. Ciampa counters a slingshot spear with a knee to the face before hitting a rack bomb for a near fall. Ciampa slowly gets up and stalks Gargano. Ciampa does the DIY taunt before kneeing him in the back of the head for a near fall! Ciampa slowly stalks Gargano and adjusts his knee brace. Gargano blocks a powerbomb, so Ciampa clubs the back. Gargano clubs him three times before viciously slapping him in the face. Gargano goes for a tilt-a-whirl, but Ciampa clotheslines him down. Gargano goes for a reverse hurricanrana, but they don’t execute it completely. Gargano then applies the Gargano Escape! Ciampa gets to the bottom rope, but there are no rope breaks. Gargano rolls him into the middle of the ring. Ciampa then rips at his eyes to get out of the hold.
Ciampa begins removing some of his wrist tape. Ciampa goes to choke him with it, but Gargano blocks it. They both hold the tape, seemingly joined together. They trade punches back and forth with Gargano finally coming out on top. Ciampa then gives him a low blow to preserve himself. Ciampa smacks the crutch against his back before hitting Project Ciampa for a near fall! A loud “YES” chant fires up. Ciampa cannot believe he couldn’t put Gargano away. Ciampa looks at him with disgust. Ciampa makes Gargano look at him. Gargano slaps him in the face multiple times. Gargano superkicks him and takes him down with a lariat. Gargano then hits a lawn dart into the exposed turnbuckle. Gargano follows up with a superkick. Gargano props him up for one final superkick… but Ciampa kicks out! A loud “NXT” chant fires up.
Gargano slowly pulls himself up and goes to the top rope. Ciampa tries to grab the foot, but Gargano fights him off. Ciampa somehow knees him in the face. Ciampa goes to the second rope and head-butts him. Gargano avoids an over the shoulder piledriver, but Ciampa manages to come back with Project Ciampa off the ropes… BUT GARGANO KICKS OUT! Another loud “NXT” chant. Ciampa’s knee is ruined from that. Ciampa removes his knee brace and clutches it in the corner. Ciampa removes his kneepad and exposes the knee. Ciampa goes for a running knee, but Gargano hits Ciampa with his own knee brace in the knee! Gargano manages to bend and break the crutch before picking up the end of it. Gargano goes to hit Ciampa, but he stops himself. Gargano looks like he’s wrestling with his emotions here. Gargano looks at Ciampa with pity, the wounded, defenseless prey. Ciampa cannot believe what’s going on. Gargano throws down the crutch and sits next to him. Ciampa goes to hit him with the knee brace, but Gargano ducks. Gargano applies the Gargano Escape. Ciampa nearly grabs the knee brace, so Gargano applies an STF using the knee brace to pull back on the head, and Ciampa immediately taps out!
Winner by Submission: Johnny Gargano
Johnny Gargano is reinstated into NXT! Gargano celebrates with his wife, Candice LeRae, in the ring.
Defeat your friend-turned-rival: ✔️
Get your job back: ✔️
Celebrate: ✔️#NXTTakeOver @JohnnyGargano @CandiceLeRae pic.twitter.com/BlUns6FeSZ— WWE (@WWE) April 8, 2018
Easily one of the best matches I've ever recapped. That was unreal. The story, the emotion, the atmosphere, the risks, the innovation… everything about it was near perfection. Johnny Gargano does the best babyface in peril. The sympathy he garners… wow. #NXTTakeOver
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) April 8, 2018
#WrestleMania has a hell of a show to follow tomorrow. #NXT absolutely tore the roof off the Smoothie King Center. Unreal. My hat is off to each and every performer. #NXTTakeOver
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) April 8, 2018
What did you think of tonight's #NXTTakeOver?
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) April 8, 2018
Quick Match Results
* Adam Cole def. EC3, Killian Dain, The Velveteen Dream, Lars Sullivan, and Ricochet in a Ladder Match to become the NXT North American Champion
* Shayna Baszler def. Ember Moon to win the NXT Women’s Championship
* Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly def. The Authors of Pain and Pete Dunne and Roderick Strong
* Aleister Black def. Andrade “Cien” Almas to win the NXT Championship
* Johnny Gargano def. Tommaso Ciampa via Submission in a Non-Sanctioned Match
E-Mail – MikeyT817@gmail.com
Twitter – @MikeTedescoWV
Thanks for reading!
Don’t forget that Wrestleview Live will return immediately following TakeOver.