Earlier today, NXT Owner and General Manager Triple H made a huge announcement: in five weeks, the brand will host its first pay-per-view of the series, NXT Arrival. All four NXT Championships will be on the line, and tonight, we take our first step into determining who will face off at the event. First up, "The King of the Cruiserweights" Neville will face Kassius Ohno, with the winner being the first to qualify to fight for the NXT North American Championship. In our main event, AJ Styles takes on a mystery opponent, with the winner facing Cesaro for the NXT Championship. But before all of that, Triple H is here in Full Sail University to address the actions of Samoa Joe.
A very upset Triple H opened NXT, making a quick entrance to the ring, devoid of his usual pageantry. He made no bones of the fact that he was not happy with the way the NXT Championship Tournament finished, and demanded the presence of Samoa Joe. Joe made his way to the ring with a microphone, but didn't get a chance to speak, as Triple H laid into him. He didn't seem to care for Joe's reasons for crippling Seth Rollins, only that it unfairly ended a tournament that had run for several months. He then dropped a bombshell; at NXT Arrival, it will be Seth Rollins vs Samoa Joe II, this time in a No Holds Barred match. And if Joe loses, then he is fired from NXT!
Kassius Ohno vs Neville
Both of these men put on classic matches with Seth Rollins during the NXT Championship Tournament, and both were determined to head to NXT Arrival to fight for the North American Championship. Neville took the advantage early, using his high-flying to keep Kassius Ohno at bay, before showing his technical ability to ground Ohno and wear down his left arm. This would prove an effective strategy, as it limited Ohno's power as well as his strikes. "The Knock-Out Artist" got in a decent amount of offense as well, including a Ricola Bomb, but when he whiffed on the discus big boot, it seemed like it was all over. But as Neville looked for the Red Arrow, Ohno sprung to his feet to deliver a top rope german suplex! Discus elbow! One.....two......but somehow, Neville had enough wits about him to peel his shoulder off the canvas. Superkick from Neville, followed up with the inverted frankensteiner! The early work on the arm would be the difference....
Winner: Neville
Finish: Rings of Saturn
AJ Styles may have a chance to fight for the NXT Championship at Arrival, but he would have a hell of a fight to get there, as his opponent tonight was none other than the GLORIOUS Bobby Roode!
AJ Styles vs Bobby Roode
From the outset, this match was totally in the favor of Bobby Roode. The "Glorious One" talked the talk and walked the walk, and wore AJ Styles down with a few strikes, and a beautifully executed butterfly suplex. With the match in his control, Roode followed a retreating Styles out to the floor, letting his confidence take over. This was a huge mistake, as AJ took advantage, sending Roode into the apron and planting him on the outside with a hurricanrana. Styles sent Roode back into the ring, setting up for the springboard 450 splash, but Roode caught him with a spinebuster! From there, both men abandoned all pretense, as the match went into overdrive. The Glorious DDT was signaled, but Styles countered into a brainbuster for a near fall. The Styles Clash was then countered, but AJ stayed in control with a butterfly lungblower. Phenomenal Forearm.......but missed! Roode rolled out of the way, and knocked Styles silly with a right hand. One leg hooked, fisherman suplex! The crowd began to rally, as Roode saw the end in sight....
Winner: Bobby Roode
Finish: Glorious DDT
A very upset Triple H opened NXT, making a quick entrance to the ring, devoid of his usual pageantry. He made no bones of the fact that he was not happy with the way the NXT Championship Tournament finished, and demanded the presence of Samoa Joe. Joe made his way to the ring with a microphone, but didn't get a chance to speak, as Triple H laid into him. He didn't seem to care for Joe's reasons for crippling Seth Rollins, only that it unfairly ended a tournament that had run for several months. He then dropped a bombshell; at NXT Arrival, it will be Seth Rollins vs Samoa Joe II, this time in a No Holds Barred match. And if Joe loses, then he is fired from NXT!
Kassius Ohno vs Neville
Both of these men put on classic matches with Seth Rollins during the NXT Championship Tournament, and both were determined to head to NXT Arrival to fight for the North American Championship. Neville took the advantage early, using his high-flying to keep Kassius Ohno at bay, before showing his technical ability to ground Ohno and wear down his left arm. This would prove an effective strategy, as it limited Ohno's power as well as his strikes. "The Knock-Out Artist" got in a decent amount of offense as well, including a Ricola Bomb, but when he whiffed on the discus big boot, it seemed like it was all over. But as Neville looked for the Red Arrow, Ohno sprung to his feet to deliver a top rope german suplex! Discus elbow! One.....two......but somehow, Neville had enough wits about him to peel his shoulder off the canvas. Superkick from Neville, followed up with the inverted frankensteiner! The early work on the arm would be the difference....
Winner: Neville
Finish: Rings of Saturn
AJ Styles may have a chance to fight for the NXT Championship at Arrival, but he would have a hell of a fight to get there, as his opponent tonight was none other than the GLORIOUS Bobby Roode!
AJ Styles vs Bobby Roode
From the outset, this match was totally in the favor of Bobby Roode. The "Glorious One" talked the talk and walked the walk, and wore AJ Styles down with a few strikes, and a beautifully executed butterfly suplex. With the match in his control, Roode followed a retreating Styles out to the floor, letting his confidence take over. This was a huge mistake, as AJ took advantage, sending Roode into the apron and planting him on the outside with a hurricanrana. Styles sent Roode back into the ring, setting up for the springboard 450 splash, but Roode caught him with a spinebuster! From there, both men abandoned all pretense, as the match went into overdrive. The Glorious DDT was signaled, but Styles countered into a brainbuster for a near fall. The Styles Clash was then countered, but AJ stayed in control with a butterfly lungblower. Phenomenal Forearm.......but missed! Roode rolled out of the way, and knocked Styles silly with a right hand. One leg hooked, fisherman suplex! The crowd began to rally, as Roode saw the end in sight....
Winner: Bobby Roode
Finish: Glorious DDT
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