Tonight, for one night, NXT is the showcase, NXT is the main event. Tonight, war will be waged and scores will be settled. Can NXT's most popular star finally topple the leader of the new world? Climb the ladder of success, claim the gold and the glory, and walk away the victor. A monster is on the hunt, and targets the Phenomenal One, with a potential title opportunity on the line. Tonight, NXT surpasses all. Tonight, some of the greatest performers in all of the world showcase and thrill. Tonight, NXT...........Arrives.
Universe Mode
June 8th, 2016
NXT Arrival
Location: Atlanta, GA
Tyler Breeze(c) vs Hideo Itami- Light Heavyweight Title Match
We opened NXT Arrival with the recently added Light Heavyweight Title Match, as Tyler Breeze put the belt on the line. Breeze was determined to let his vicious side show early, and he followed through, unleashing a devastating DDT on the apron. Itami, once he recovered, showed off his aerial maneuvers, diving off the top rope for several crossbodies. Once they got back into the ring, Breeze looked to reassert control, but was stunned with a Shotgun Kick, which he just kicked out of. Itami seemed to be building momentum, setting up for a GTS that would've finished it off, but Breeze countered into a small package, surprising Itami and getting the 3 count to escape with his title.
Winner and still Light Heavyweight Champion: Tyler Breeze
Enzo and Big Cass(c) vs American Alpha- NXT Tag Team Title Match
Enzo and Big Cass, two of the longest reining champions in Universe Mode, fell into trouble quickly, with American Alpha's mat wrestling skills on full display. Cass was the X-Factor in this match; whenever he got tagged in, American Alpha couldn't deal with his strength and power. Cass made the foolish decision to tag back out and nearly cost the champs the match, as Gable and Jordan connected on an impressive double suplex off the top rope, forcing Enzo to kick out just before 3. Enzo and Cass rallied and connected on their tag finisher, but Jordan broke it up. The teams traded offense for a while, and Jordan and Cass were left in the ring. In an impressive feat of strength, Jordan dropped Cass with an Olympic Slam, putting the big man down for the 3 count as American Alpha became the second NXT Tag Team Champions.
Winners and the NEW NXT Tag Team Champions: American Alpha
Pentagon Jr(c) vs Baron Corbin- NXT Television Title Match
Both men showed off their strength early, and it took very little for the match to devolve into a brawl, with the two beating each other up on the outside of the ring. Back inside the ring, Corbin looked to finish it off with an End of Days, but Pentagon countered. The champion then connected on a Fear Factor, which Corbin kicked out of, becoming the first man to do so. Corbin went for several submission holds, which Pentagon got out of and went for a second Fear Factor, which Corbin countered. A quick succession of strikes, including a superkick, sent Pentagon up for the Sling Blade, which was enough for victory.
Winner and still NXT Television Champion: Pentagon Jr
Samoa Joe vs AJ Styles
One of the highly anticipated matches on this card, NXT General Manager William Regal hinted that this match could very well be for a future NXT Title shot. Joe's strength and power were on early showing, but it was AJ's ability to keep fighting that kept him in it. The Samoan Submission Machine brought the fans to their feet, taking flight and taking out Styles with a suicide dive. Joe attempted to put away Styles several times, but couldn't quite but together the killing blow. Several enziguris could only get 2 counts, and a Chimera-plex was also kicked out of. Frustrated, Joe grabbed a steel chair, planning on teaching Styles a lesson. AJ was too quick, knocking the chair out of Joe's hands and planting him on it with a Styles Clash, turning Joe's lights out and earning Styles the 3 count. Afterwards, Joe complained to Regal about the usage of the chair, which Regal ignored.
Winner: AJ Styles
Paige(c) vs Bayley- NXT Women's Title Match, Ladder Match
The ladder immediately came into play, with neither woman messing around, both trying to win the NXT Women's Title. It didn't take long for one of them to fall, as Bayley took a nasty looking fall, crashing into two more ladders in the ring. The Hugster realized that Paige would take a cheap victory, and cleared the ladder from the ring, then taking out the champion with an insane suicide dive. On the outside of the ring, Paige seemed to be taken out of the match when the challenger connected on a Bayley-to-Belly on top of another ladder. Try as she might, Bayley just couldn't quite get a firm grasp on the title, as it slipped through her hands two or three times. Paige, recovered, slipped back into the ring, and pushed Bayley off the ladder to the outside of the ring. The champion did not suffer any problem, unhooking and retaining her belt.
Winner and still NXT Women's Champion: Paige
Finn Balor(c) vs Sami Zayn- NXT Championship Match, Falls Count Anywhere
The challenger, Sami Zayn, got NXT GM William Regal to ban the Balor Club from ringside for this title match, a decision that Balor obviously wasn't happy with. Sami took the fight to the outside right away, pulling off an incredible flying cross body that put Balor through a table. Balor took control of the match, unleashing vicious offense on Sami on the outside. Sami wouldn't stay down and fought back, unleashing a lot of pent up frustration via a steel chair. He went for one chair shot too many, and Balor dodged out of the way, planting Sami with a Bloody Sunday on the floor. Balor though he had the match won, but Sami showed heart with a desperate kick out. Sami got hold of the chair once more, and nearly knocked Balor's head off with a nasty chair shot. The two traded blows, but Sami got control once again, setting Balor up at the announce table. He then got back into the ring, climbed to the top rope, and drove Balor through the table with a ridiculous elbow drop. Sami went for the cover, and somehow, Balor kicked out. The champion wasn't out of it, rolling the challenger back into the ring, intending to finish Sami off with a Coup de Grace. Sami got out of the way in time, and rolled up Balor, catching the champion by surprise, and for the second time in the night, the roll-up got the 3 count. With blood pouring down his face from the Bloody Sunday earlier in the match, Sami Zayn hoisted the NXT Title in the air as the fans lost their minds. It was a classic encounter, and won Balor a lot of fans as well, as the now former champion put on quite a show. What a night.
Winner and the NEW NXT Champion: Sami Zayn
An incredible night culminated with an epic main event and the crowning of Sami Zayn as the NXT Champion. I hope you've enjoyed NXT Arrival, stay tuned for Smackdown.
Want to follow the series, but missed a few posts? No problem! Check out my brand new Universe Mode Wiki, constantly updated to keep you up to speed with the latest Universe Mode happenings.
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