NXT has been remodeled thanks to the 2016 Talent Exchange, with big names like AJ Styles, Finn Balor and Paige all departing. William Regal added the biggest star in NXT history, though, when he acquired Daniel Bryan. Tonight, Regal has put together an amazing card, culminating in a dream match, when the newcomer Bryan faces former NXT Champion Sami Zayn.
Universe Mode
NXT
September 14th, 2016
Location: New Orleans, LA
Sting vs Kenny Omega
NXT opened with a big match, as the man traded for Finn Balor, Sting, took on Balor's buddy in the Balor Club, Kenny Omega. Omega got off to a good start, connecting on a Tope con Hilo, but Sting quickly fought back. The Icon hit all of his signature moves, and looked to be closing in on a big win, before a hooded man blindsided him with a steel chair. The ref called for the bell, but the man refused to leave, hitting Sting several more times with the chair. The man removed his hood to reveal that he was the returning Pentagon Jr, who had not been seen for a few months. Pentagon then finished off his assault, snapping Sting's arm with a hammerlock armbreaker. He then grabbed the mic, and revealed that he had been training while he was gone. He had met a man more vicious and dangerous than him, and had accepted that man as his "master". His master had decreed that for Pentagon's training to continue, he would need a weekly sacrifice, which Pentagon had now provided. From now on, Pentagon is more dangerous and focused that he ever was before, and will be known under a new name- Pentagon Dark.
Winner: Sting
EC3(c) vs Kalisto- NXT Television Title Match
The next defense of the NXT TV Title would see EC3 take on Kalisto, who had his tag partner Sin Cara at ringside. Kalisto was eager for this big singles opportunity, and used his speed to get EC3 off his game. EC3 was not unbeaten for nothing though, and he grounded the high flyer, completely taking Kalisto out. Kalisto did have another small burst of energy, but EC3 shut him down again, dodging a dropkick and connecting with a One Percenter to retain once again.
Winner and still NXT Television Champion: EC3
Gallows and Anderson vs Blake and Murphy
The NXT Tag Team Champions made it clear that their days as the "Balor Club" are over. They are making their own path, and looked to prove it against Blake and Murphy. This was a no contest, almost from the very beginning. Gallows and Anderson are on a whole new level, and despite Blake and Murphy's best efforts, they were completely outmatched. A Magic Killer on Murphy was enough to register a quick victory for the champs, who are on an absolute tear.
Winners: Gallows and Anderson
Bayley vs Emma
The 2-time NXT Women's Champion Bayley was in action, with her best friend Sasha Banks cheering her on at ringside. Emma, Bayley's opponent, was also not alone, as she was accompanied to the ring by the unknown Alexa Bliss. We were not informed as to what the relationship was between Emma and Alexa, but Alexa's presence would play a big role. Both Emma and Bayley traded big offensive moves, with Bayley perhaps slightly ahead. However, before Bayley could land the winning blow, Alexa got involved again and again, stopping the champ from really getting going. Bayley finally lost her cool, and unloaded several punches on Alexa, but Emma saved Alexa from any more punishment. She then capitalized, taking advantage of the numbers game, taking out Bayley before rolling her back into the ring, connecting on a big crossbody to score a huge win. Emma pinned the champion, and with so little known about her association with Alexa Bliss, she seems to have all the momentum in the world.
Winner: Emma
Sami Zayn vs Daniel Bryan
This was a big match, with possible championship implications. This was anticipated to be a classic, and it absolutely delivered. Move after move, kickout after kickout, the two men battled. Sami connected with not one but two Blue Thunder Bombs, but Bryan found the strength to kick out of both. After connecting on a big diving headbutt, Bryan locked in the Yes! Lock, but Sami fought his way to the ropes just surviving. Sami then gained control, showing his more vicious side, taking out Bryan's right leg. He then brought the crowd to their feet with an impressive Tornado DDT that appeared to put the match away. He rolled Bryan back into the ring, and locked in his own signature move, the Koji Clutch, but somehow Bryan survived the hold, and nearly put Sami away with a roll-up. The two continued to trade move for move, the NXT fans abandoning their seats. A big enziguri from Sami seemed to have knocked Bryan out, but D-Bry was not done yet, catching Sami into the Yes! Lock once more, right in the middle of the ring. Sami tried his best, but he could not survive the hold a second time, and tapped out, giving Bryan an incredible debut win.
After the match, both men shook each other's hand in a show of mutual respect as the fans applauded what was a match of the year candidate. Before either man could leave the ring, the NXT Champion Samoa Joe arrived, and made his own massive impact, hitting a big double clothesline. He tossed Sami out of the ring and devastated Bryan with a massive Muscle Buster. He then left the ring, and took out Sami with a powerbomb through the announce table. The NXT Champ stood over the chaos, Bryan and Sami barely stirring, sending a strong message as the show went off the air.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan and Sami Zayn put on a classic, but Samoa Joe was not impressed. That's it from NXT, stay tuned for more Universe Mode.
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.
Universe Mode
NXT
September 14th, 2016
Location: New Orleans, LA
Sting vs Kenny Omega
NXT opened with a big match, as the man traded for Finn Balor, Sting, took on Balor's buddy in the Balor Club, Kenny Omega. Omega got off to a good start, connecting on a Tope con Hilo, but Sting quickly fought back. The Icon hit all of his signature moves, and looked to be closing in on a big win, before a hooded man blindsided him with a steel chair. The ref called for the bell, but the man refused to leave, hitting Sting several more times with the chair. The man removed his hood to reveal that he was the returning Pentagon Jr, who had not been seen for a few months. Pentagon then finished off his assault, snapping Sting's arm with a hammerlock armbreaker. He then grabbed the mic, and revealed that he had been training while he was gone. He had met a man more vicious and dangerous than him, and had accepted that man as his "master". His master had decreed that for Pentagon's training to continue, he would need a weekly sacrifice, which Pentagon had now provided. From now on, Pentagon is more dangerous and focused that he ever was before, and will be known under a new name- Pentagon Dark.
Winner: Sting
EC3(c) vs Kalisto- NXT Television Title Match
The next defense of the NXT TV Title would see EC3 take on Kalisto, who had his tag partner Sin Cara at ringside. Kalisto was eager for this big singles opportunity, and used his speed to get EC3 off his game. EC3 was not unbeaten for nothing though, and he grounded the high flyer, completely taking Kalisto out. Kalisto did have another small burst of energy, but EC3 shut him down again, dodging a dropkick and connecting with a One Percenter to retain once again.
Winner and still NXT Television Champion: EC3
Gallows and Anderson vs Blake and Murphy
The NXT Tag Team Champions made it clear that their days as the "Balor Club" are over. They are making their own path, and looked to prove it against Blake and Murphy. This was a no contest, almost from the very beginning. Gallows and Anderson are on a whole new level, and despite Blake and Murphy's best efforts, they were completely outmatched. A Magic Killer on Murphy was enough to register a quick victory for the champs, who are on an absolute tear.
Winners: Gallows and Anderson
Bayley vs Emma
The 2-time NXT Women's Champion Bayley was in action, with her best friend Sasha Banks cheering her on at ringside. Emma, Bayley's opponent, was also not alone, as she was accompanied to the ring by the unknown Alexa Bliss. We were not informed as to what the relationship was between Emma and Alexa, but Alexa's presence would play a big role. Both Emma and Bayley traded big offensive moves, with Bayley perhaps slightly ahead. However, before Bayley could land the winning blow, Alexa got involved again and again, stopping the champ from really getting going. Bayley finally lost her cool, and unloaded several punches on Alexa, but Emma saved Alexa from any more punishment. She then capitalized, taking advantage of the numbers game, taking out Bayley before rolling her back into the ring, connecting on a big crossbody to score a huge win. Emma pinned the champion, and with so little known about her association with Alexa Bliss, she seems to have all the momentum in the world.
Winner: Emma
Sami Zayn vs Daniel Bryan
This was a big match, with possible championship implications. This was anticipated to be a classic, and it absolutely delivered. Move after move, kickout after kickout, the two men battled. Sami connected with not one but two Blue Thunder Bombs, but Bryan found the strength to kick out of both. After connecting on a big diving headbutt, Bryan locked in the Yes! Lock, but Sami fought his way to the ropes just surviving. Sami then gained control, showing his more vicious side, taking out Bryan's right leg. He then brought the crowd to their feet with an impressive Tornado DDT that appeared to put the match away. He rolled Bryan back into the ring, and locked in his own signature move, the Koji Clutch, but somehow Bryan survived the hold, and nearly put Sami away with a roll-up. The two continued to trade move for move, the NXT fans abandoning their seats. A big enziguri from Sami seemed to have knocked Bryan out, but D-Bry was not done yet, catching Sami into the Yes! Lock once more, right in the middle of the ring. Sami tried his best, but he could not survive the hold a second time, and tapped out, giving Bryan an incredible debut win.
After the match, both men shook each other's hand in a show of mutual respect as the fans applauded what was a match of the year candidate. Before either man could leave the ring, the NXT Champion Samoa Joe arrived, and made his own massive impact, hitting a big double clothesline. He tossed Sami out of the ring and devastated Bryan with a massive Muscle Buster. He then left the ring, and took out Sami with a powerbomb through the announce table. The NXT Champ stood over the chaos, Bryan and Sami barely stirring, sending a strong message as the show went off the air.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan and Sami Zayn put on a classic, but Samoa Joe was not impressed. That's it from NXT, stay tuned for more Universe Mode.
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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