Welcome to Tokyo. This bustling metropolis has seen some of the best wrestlers from around the world put on some of the greatest matches in history, and tonight will hopefully be no different. Big Japanese signings like Io Shirai and KUSHIDA will make their Takeover debuts in championship matches against tough champions like Toni Storm and Cedric Alexander. But all eyes are on the main event, where Hideo Itami puts his career on the line against EC3 for the NXT Championship. Will Hideo triumphantly capture yet another championship, or this the night we bid farewell to the International Sensation?
Universe Mode
NXT Takeover: Tokyo
November 24th, 2018
Location: Tokyo, Japan
The Ascension(c) vs War Raiders- NXT Tag Team Championship Match
We've seen the destruction of Hanson and Rowe in the past, and now we saw their resiliency, as they survived everything the champions could deal out. After narrowly kicking out of the Fall of Man, Rowe persevered and made the hot tag and the Warbeard ended it, Hanson spiking Konnor on his head with a piledriver to claim the titles.
Winners and the NEW NXT Tag Team Champions: The War Raiders
Apollo Crews vs Velveteen Dream
The Dream went after Akira Tozawa on the outside more than once in this match, continuing to rile Apollo up. This unique strategy proved to be a huge success, as after chasing Velveteen off from attacking Tozawa, Crews got caught in a small package, and lost! The Dream continues to be a master manipulator, and has put himself into NXT Championship contention.
Winner: Velveteen Dream
Cedric Alexander(c) vs KUSHIDA- Cruiserweight Championship Match
What started out as a respectful bout quickly turned into a brawl, as the high stakes of a championship match brought out the brutality of both men. Cedric Alexander was able to keep up with KUSHIDA, escaping the Hoverboard Lock twice with some wicked rights and lefts, before putting the challenger away with the Lumbar Check.
Winner and still Cruiserweight Champion: Cedric Alexander
Toni Storm(c) vs Io Shirai- NXT Women's Championship Match
So much of Io Shirai's moveset revolves around the top rope, and Toni Storm knew it, keeping the challenger on the mat. Storm kept the pace of the match to her liking, and slowly worked her way towards victory. Two big german suplexes got Storm so close to retaining her championship, but Shirai was still fighting. Out of nowhere, Io caught Toni with a big forearm! Stunned, the champion fell to a barrage of strikes, and for the first time, Shirai had her chance. The picture perfect moonsault hit, and the dominant reign of Toni Storm was over!
Winner and the NEW NXT Women's Champion: Io Shirai
EC3(c) vs Hideo Itami- NXT Championship Match
With everything on the line, tonight was a showcase for everything Hideo Itami is capable of. But despite busting EC3 open and delivering everything he had to offer, Itami wasn't any closer to capturing the NXT Championship. Following a big running knee, for the first time, Itami hit the GTS! But perhaps on instinct alone, EC3 survived by getting his foot to the bottom rope. The two brawled to the floor, where Hideo connected with another GTS! But by the time he could get the champion back into the ring, too much time had passed to get the three count. EC3 turned the match around, managing to hit a One Percenter, but went for an arrogant cover which allowed the challenger to survive. It came down to a battle of endurance, and the incredible athletic talent of EC3 took over, battering Itami with elbows. One Percenter connects again, this time without any arrogant cover. One................two.....................three.
Winner and still NXT Champion: EC3
Post-Match
As EC3 gloated making his way up the ramp, a beaten and bloody Hideo Itami was left in the ring. Slowly, he made his way to his feet, now facing the reality that his illustrious career had come to an end. The fans in Tokyo paid tremendous respect to a man that has earned every bit of it. Hideo Itami has given his entire life to wrestling, night in and night out, providing classic matches and sacrificing his body to make his way to NXT. Hideo bowed to the fans, a consummate professional, and his made his way to the back. At the top of the stage, he stopped, and looked back. The fans roared, and Hideo came close to losing his composure. But then he turned, and walked into the dark, off to the next great adventure. Farewell, Hideo Itami.
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