Tom Phillips and Corey Graves welcome us to NXT and hypes tonight's events. NXT Champion Samoa Joe comes out to the ring for a promo. Joe plugs Balor vs. Nakamura but is upset at the potential implications of that match being an unnamed #1 Contender match. Joe says he brought strong style to the USA first, and that if he is the "king," then Joe is the "emperor" and must go through him. Out comes Rhyno to confront Joe in the center of the ring. Rhyno says he will go right through Samoa Joe to get to the top. Joe takes the easy road and walks out of the ring and says he will face Rhyno on his time.
We see a promo for the Cruiserweight Classic,
Matches for next week include Bayley vs. Nia Jax, American Alpha vs. Authors of Pain, and Samoa Joe vs. Rhyno!
We get another promo for tonight's main event looking at Balor and Nakamura's past and friendship. Nakamura says he has to be an icon in order to be NXT Champion. To do that he must beat an NXT icon, Finn Balor.
Finn Balor vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Finn Balor makes his entrance to a big pop. Balor is not coming in as "the demon" tonight, but in his normal leather jacket and all black gear. Balor still has one of the better entrances in recent memory in NXT or WWE. Speaking of pops and great entrances, out comes Shinsuke Nakamura. As Balor reveals a smile at Nakamura's popularity, we head to break before the bell rings. This show has done a fantastic job of making this feel like a huge match.
A "this is awesome" chant breaks out as we return. The lights lower and we get full blown ring announcements for both competitors.
Balor and Nakamura trade lockups as they feel each other out early. Nakamura rests his head on Balor. Finn doesn't take it lightly and does "too sweet" right in Shinsuke's face. Lots of stiff kicks and strikes from both men as the pace remains methodical to this point. We head to break.
We return to a quick two count cover. Finn Balor takes out the left knee of Nakamura. Balor continues to work the knee with a submission. Nakamura fights out but eats a front drop kick from Balor for a two count. Big chops from Balor to Nakamura in each corner of the ring. Another big blow to the knee and goes into a modified surfboard. Balor uses the double stomp for a two count. Finn stays in control with a heel hook but Shinsuke makes it to the ropes. They trade strikes but Nakamura uses the injured knee for a reverse strike that takes down both wrestlers. Nakamura strikes Balor repeatedly with the injured left knee and takes down Balor. Nakamura delivers the patented knee lift to Balor for a two. Balor hits a shot that sends Nakamura to the outside. Balor sends a swift kick to Nakamura's face as we head to break.
We return with Balor delivering a double stomp for a two count. Balor applies another submission to Nakamura's left leg but reverses. Nakamura sneaks into an arm bar and then a triangle choke! Balor gets his leg to the rope to break the hold. Nakamura gets in a flurry of strikes to weaken Balor. Balor recovers and does a reverse version of his "1916" for a 2! Nakamura regains control and lines up the "kinshasa" but Balor counters with a double stomp. The crowd begins chanting "fight forever," and well they should. They trade extremely stiff shots in the center of the ring and Balor hits a slingblade! Balor kicks Nakamura do the corner to set up the "Coup De Grace," but misses. Nakamura delivers a big knee from the second rope. Nakamura lines up Balor and hits "Kinshasa"! One, two, and three!
Winner via Pinfall: Shinsuke Nakamura (Kinshasa)
Both men show each other respect after the match
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