– The WWE NXT “Takeover: London” Kickoff pre-show opens with shots of Samoa Joe arriving earlier. We also see NXT Champion Finn Balor, Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady arriving. Renee Young is hosting the panel with Lita and Kyle Edwards. They are live from WWE studios in Stamford, CT. The hype tonight’s show and cut to Greg Hamilton in London. He’s outside with a bunch of rowdy fans. The panel discusses tonight’s matches before we go back to London. Hamilton tries to get a word with Samoa Joe but Joe just slams his locker room door in Hamilton’s face. We go back to the panel to wrap the pre-show.
– WWE NXT “Takeover: London” opens with Triple H in the ring nuder a spotlight. A huge “NXT” chant breaks out. Triple H says he got his ass kicked on Sunday night but he would have to be dead to not be here tonight. He says London wanted it so they got it. He says NXT is the fans’ brand and now is their time. Triple H gets the crowd to yell “we are NXT!” as we cut to an opening video.
– We’re welcomed to London by Rich Brennan, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves.
Asuka vs. Emma
We go to the ring and out first comes Asuka. Emma is out next with Dana Brooke.
Asuka gets hyped up as the “Asuka’s gonna kill you” chant starts. The crowd is also hot. A bit of stalling to start. Asuka toys with Emma some and they trade holds. Emma with a quick 1 count. More back and forth with holds. Emma with an elbow to the face. Asuka takes Emma down with a quick armbar and the crowd pops. Emma makes it to the bottom rope and breaks it. Asuka kicks Emma a few times. Emma ends up on the floor and Asuka hits a running hip attack from the apron. Dana tries to get involved and Asuka stares her down, intimidating her. They come back in the ring and Emma dropkicks Asuka to the floor. Emma follows and brings her back in. Emma unloads with strikes and then kicks in the corner.
Emma keeps control as fans boo and covers for a 2 count. Emma with submission holds and more offense on the ropes. Emma with a kick and a 2 count. Emma with more offense as Dana cheers her on. Asuka comes back with a backslide for a 2 count. Emma drops her with a clothesline for a 2 count. Fans chant “this is wrestling” as Emma sends Asuka hard into the corner and she goes down.
Emma continues to dominate and whips Asuka hard into the corner again. Dana and Emma talk trash as Asuka tries to hype herself up but Emma keeps control. Asuka counters and hits a missile dropkick. Asuka finally makes a comeback with strikes and forearms. Asuka with another hip attack for a pop. Asuka with kicks to the chest. Emma catches the leg. Asuka misses a spinning backfist. Emma with a 2 count. Asuka comes right back with strikes and a running hip attack for a close 2 count. Emma ends up getting the ropes submission applied. It’s broken and Emma hits a big butterfly suplex into the turnbuckles and then the low splash for a 2 count. Emma with another close 2 count.
Emma rubs Asuka’s face into the mat for more boos. Emma goes for her submission finisher but it’s countered into an ankle lock. Asuka hits a big German suplex and a running kick to the jaw for a close 2 count. Emma fights off the Asuka Lock and pulls the referee into the way, ramming Asuka back into him in the corner. Asuka checks on the referee as Emma motions to Dana. Asuka corners Emma. Dana slides something in the ring and Emma grabs it. Asuka takes it from her as the referee comes to. He sees Asuka holding the chain as fans boo. Asuka tells the referee it’s not hers. Emma rolls her up from behind for 2. Asuka comes right back with the Asuka Lock. Dana gets on the apron and the referee is distracted. Emma taps out but he doesn’t see it. The referee ejects Dana as the hold is broken. He turns around as Asuka connects with a kick on Emma for the win.
Winner: Asuka
– After the match, Asuka hits the corner to celebrate as we go to replays.
– We see UK legend Johnny Saint sitting at ringside. We also see the arrivals from earlier that were shown on the pre-show.
– We get a video for tonight’s NXT Tag Team Title match.
WWE NXT Tag Team Title Match: Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady vs. The Mechanics
We go to the ring and out first comes Enzo Amore, Big Cass and Carmella to a big pop. They do their usual intros on the way to the ring and then cut quick promos in the ring. Enzo guarantees there will be pieces of them in the ring and since they wanted a fight, they’re going to get it. Cass promises The Mechanics won’t walk out how they came in. WWE NXT Tag Team Champions Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder are out next.
Dawson starts off with Enzo as a big “how you doin?” chant starts. They lock up and go at it against the ropes. They break and lock up again. They break again and the crowd is insanely loud. Dawson with a headlock on Enzo. Dawson keeps in control and in comes Wilder. He works Enzo over but gets his leg taken out. Enzo slams Dash’s face into the mat and covers for a 2 count. Cass comes in and goes at it with Dash in the corner. Enzo comes back in and they fight from the floor back into the ring after a post shot. Enzo drops knees to Dash’s back. Cass comes back in and keeps working on Dash’s shoulder.
The Mechanics take control with double teaming on Cass in their corner. Cass comes back and presses Dawson onto Dash. Enzo tags in from the top but Dawson escapes to the floor before Cass can launch him. The Mechanics regroup on the floor as Enzo runs the ropes and Cass sends him flying out onto their opponents. The crowd pops. Enzo brings Dawson back in and kicks Dash away. Enzo slingshots in for a roll up but Dash tags in. Enzo doesn’t see it. Dash sends Enzo to the floor and he hits his head on the bottom rope. Enzo makes it back in at the 9 count and Dash sends him to the corner for more double teaming. Dawson tags in and beats Enzo down, working on his arm.
Dash tags back in as they keep control of Enzo. Dawson comes back in and takes Enzo to the apron. Dawson with kicks and punches. Dawson argues with the referee while Dash takes a cheap shot at Enzo. Dawson with a slingshot suplex for a close 2 count. Enzo finally connects with a knee and down goes Dawson. Dash tags in and knocks Cass off the apron to stop the tag. They double team Enzo with a gourdbuster as the referee is distracted. They tag but the referee doesn’t see it. He makes them go back out. Dash with 2 counts on Enzo. Enzo manages to connect again and hits a big DDT. Dawson and Cass get the hot tag. Cass unloads and tosses Dawson across the ring. Cass with a splash in the corner. Dawson blocks a big boot but Cass hits the big sideslam for a 2 count as Dash breaks the pin. Dash gets sent to the floor by Cass. Cass turns around to Dawson taking out his bad knee. Dash tags in with a submission on the bad knee.
Enzo comes in but Dawson turns him inside out. Cass is still trying to break the hold from Dash. He finally gets the bottom rope and breaks it. Dash holds another submission as Dawson goes to the top for a double team. Enzo pushes him to the floor. Cass rolls Dash up for a close 2 count. Cass ends up hitting a big boot and tagging Enzo in for the double team splash from the top. Enzo covers but Dawson pulls him to the floor. Cass comes over and Dawson puts Carmella in the way. She claws him but he sends Cass into the ring post. Enzo sends Dawson back in the ring. Enzo goes to the top but Dawson runs up and sends him into a double team move by Dash for the win.
Winners: The Mechanics
– After the match, the champions leave with their titles in the air as Enzo, Cass and Carmella look on from the ring.
– We see video from earlier today of Bayley arriving to the arena with her friend Carmella. They show video packages for Nia Jax and the Apollo Crews vs. Baron Corbin feud.
Apollo Crews vs. Baron Corbin
We go to the ring and out first comes Baron Corbin. Apollo Crews is out next.
They lock up and Corbin takes it to the corner. They break and lock up again, going to the other corner. Corbin talks some trash and shoves Corbin into the corner. Crews lifts him across the ring into the opposite corner. Crews drops him with a shoulder and Corbin goes to the floor for a breather as fans boo. Corbin comes back in and they lock up. Corbin takes it to the corner but Crews turns it around with shoulder thrusts. They go to another corner for more thrusts by Crews. Corbin connects with a knee and works Crews over, still in the corners.
Corbin with another shoulder. They run the ropes for more back and forth. Crews with a dropkick. Corbin dumps Crews to the floor and he hits the barrier. More trash talking by Corbin. He brings Crews back in the ring as fans chant “Corbin sucks.” Corbin tosses Crews back to the floor and talks more trash. Corbin keeps control and hits a big boot for a 2 count. Corbin continues beating Crews around as the fans boo and chant “fuck you Corbin.” Crews comes out of the corner with a crossbody but Corbin catches him. Crews tries to fight back but Corbin sends him into the corner hard. Corbin poses as fans boo.
Corbin catches Crews in a backbreaker and holds it over his knee. Crews slides out of a move and sends Corbin to the floor. Corbin runs right back in but Crews side steps and takes Corbin down. Crews mounts Corbin with strikes. Another takedown and more strikes by Crews. Corbin retreats to the floor Crews tackles him and hits him with more right hands. Crews counters a whip and jumps on the apron for a moonsault. Fans chant “NXT” as Crews brings Corbin back in the ring. Crews with clotheslines and a splash in the corner. Corbin catches Crews in a big Deep Six out of nowhere for a 2 count. Corbin goes for End of Days but it’s countered. Crews with a kick to the head and the standing moonsault for a close 2 count.
More back and forth. Crews with a big right hand. Crews goes for the toss powerbomb but it’s blocked. Corbin with End of Days for the win.
Winner: Baron Corbin
– After the match, we go to replays. We come back to Corbin getting to his feet in the ring and standing tall. Crews is face down on the floor. Corbin makes his exit as a referee checks on Crews.
– Greg Hamilton is backstage with Nia Jax when Asuka appears and they have a face off.
– We get a video for tonight’s NXT Women’s Title match.
WWE NXT Women’s Title Match: Nia Jax vs. Bayley
We go to the ring and out first comes Nia Jax. WWE NXT Women’s Champion Bayley is out next to a big pop.
We get formal ring introductions and the crowd is crazy. Nia shows her power early on. She carries Bayley out of the corner and tosses her. Nia kicks Bayley around and keeps control. Nia with a big powerslam. Nia manhandles Bayley some more in the middle of the ring. Bayley looks to be fading but fans rally for her. Nia manhandles Bayley some more, keeping the hold locked.
Bayley tries to get out and ends up with a Dragon Sleeper applied but Nia rams her back into the corner and breaks it. Bayley fights back and hits three big leaping elbows in the corner. Bayley goes to the second rope but Nia pulls her off. Bayley takes Nia to one knee with a dropkick to the leg. Nia with a running kick but Nia still won’t go down. Bayley goes to the second rope for a flying back elbow but she’s still standing. Bayley with another flying elbow. Bayley goes back to the second rope but Nia pushes her out of the air. Bayley catches her in a submission but Nia picks her up and sets her on the top rope. Nia with a forearm. Nia climbs up but Bayley sends her to the mat. Bayley with a senton for a 2 count. Nia launches Bayley out of the ring with the kick out.
Bayley comes back in but Nia hits a Samoan Drop for a 2 count. She argues with the referee and looks to be getting frustrated. Nia with another Samoan Drop. Nia with another big Samoan Drop off the ropes. Nia with the leg drop now. She puts a boot on Bayley’s chest but Bayley kicks out at 2. Nia with three splashes in the corner. Nia tosses Bayley across the ring again. Nia with another big leg drop on the arm and then one to the back of the head. Nia with another leg drop to the back of the head. She nails one more for a 2 count.
Nia watches as Bayley struggles to get to her feet. Nia floors Bayley again as fans boo and the referee checks on her. Nia takes Bayley back to the top and climbs up. Nia goes for a super Samoan Drop but Bayley applies a guillotine choke and brings Nia back to the mat, still standing though. Bayley tightens the hold but Nia slams her to the mat. Bayley catches Nia in the choke again. Nia stands up with Bayley’s hold still locked in. Fans go crazy for Bayley but Nia slams her to the mat once again. Bayley eventually gets the choke locked in for the third time. Nia drops to one knee this time. Nia fades and falls to the mat now. Bayley re-positions herself and really tightens the guillotine as fans chant “tap.” Bayley screams for Nia to tap but she won’t give up. She finally taps out and Bayley wins.
Winner: Bayley
– After the match, Bayley is slow to get up as Nia rolls to the floor and we get replays. Bayley grabs her title and raises it as her music plays.
– We see Samoa Joe backstage warming up. They air a video package for tonight’s main event.
WWE NXT Title Match: Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor
We go to the ring and out comes Samoa Joe first. We see the Jack the Ripper theme they’ve used for promos lately as WWE NXT Champion Finn Balor comes out. He’s dressed as The Demon with a top hat and coat like the shadowy character in the promos. Balor heads to the ring to a big pop.
We get formal ring introductions from Hamilton as Balor and Joe meet in the middle of the ring. Joe gets mostly boos as Balor gets a huge pop. Fans chant “this is awesome” as they stare each other down before the bell. They size each other up and Joe takes Balor’s leg out to start. They tie up again and go to the ropes. Joe with another takedown as we get dueling chants. Balor kicks Joe into the ropes and attacks but Joe fights him off. Balor sends Joe to the floor with a dropkick. Balor with another dropkick to send Joe into the barrier. Balor kicks Joe in the face from the apron. Balor goes to the floor and fans pop. He rolls Joe back in but Joe rolls back to the floor for a breather. Balor comes from behind and nails him. Balor with a big chop on the floor. Balor poses with his fans and hits a dropkick, sending Joe into the steps.
Balor runs from the apron to stomp Joe on the steps but he moves. Joe turns it around and drops Balor on the steps. Joe brings it back in the ring and works Balor over in the corner with strikes. Balor fights out with a chop and forearms. Joe drops him with a right hand. Joe keeps control and splashes Balor, then kicks him in the head. They trade shots in the middle of the ring now. Joe drops Balor with an elbow. Joe keeps Balor grounded now.
Joe with another 2 count. Joe with more offense and a big knee drop for a 2 count. Joe beats Balor down with jabs in the corner. Joe with a boot in Balor’s face as the referee counts. Joe with a running boot to the face. The referee checks on Balor before Joe goes back to work on him. Balor fights back and they trade shots again. Joe with an inverted atomic drop and a big boot. Balor avoids the senton by rolling out of the way. Balor ends up on the apron and connects with a kick. He goes to springboard in but Joe knocks him out of the air to the floor. Joe runs the ropes and dives out onto Balor as a big NXT chant starts up.
Joe brings it back in the ring for a 2 count. Joe with knees to the head now. Joe nails a powerbomb and holds it for a 2 count. Joe turns it into a crab and then the crossface. Balor turns it into a 2 count. Joe rolls it right back into the crossface. Joe turns it into an armbar. Balor gets his foot on the bottom rope to break the hold. Joe picks Balor up and misses a clothesline. Balor with a DDT. Joe runs into boots in the corner. Balor with a chop and strikes. Balor with a flying forearm. Balor with a big chop in the corner. And another in the opposite corner. Joe drops Balor with an elbow. Joe goes to the second rope but Balor kicks him in the head. Joe falls to the floor but is still on his feet. Balor runs the ropes and leaps out onto Joe again. They bring it back in and Balor goes to the top for the double stomp to the back of the head but Joe kicks out at 2.
Joe counters but Balor comes back with kicks that stun him. Balor floors Joe but misses a dropkick. Joe with a senton. Joe goes for a Musclebuster but Balor turns it into a roll up for 2. Balor with a pele kick and Joe goes back down. Both men are down as the referee counts. They get up at the last second and start trading shots in the middle of the ring. Balor beats Joe into the corner. Joe fights out with strikes and an uppercut. Balor comes back with shots of his own. Joe with an elbow. Joe catches Balor in the Coquina Clutch. It’s broken, more back and forth. Joe gets the clutch applied again. Joe drops back to tighten the hold but Balor rolls through and hits a double stomp. Fans chant “this is awesome” again. Balor gets up and hits another Slingblade. Balor with a corner dropkick and another. Joe comes right back and yells. Balor ducks Joe and dropkicks him in the back. Joe goes down this time. Balor goes to the top but Joe cuts him off. Joe goes for another Musclebuster but Balor fights him. Joe with a kick to the head. Joe climbs up for a super Musclebuster but Balor fights him off again. Balor knocks Joe to the mat and nails Coup de Grace for the win.
Winner: Finn Balor
– After the match, Joe is out and Balor is slow to get up. The referee hands Balor his title as we go to replays. Balor stumbles to his feet as the lights go low. We see a trainer helping Joe to the back as he stares Balor down. Joe’s lip is busted. Balor climbs the corner and poses with the NXT Title as fans go along with his music. Balor goes to make his exit but the referees sit him in the corner as a trainer checks on him. We go to more replays. Balor goes back to the middle of the ring and a referee raises his arm while the trainer is still talking to him. They leave as Balor raises the title again and Takeover goes off the air.
