NXT Title Match: Finn Balor vs. Adam Cole
We go right to the ring for tonight’s opener for the vacant NXT Title as Finn Balor makes his way out. Adam Cole is out next, by himself, as Alicia Taylor does the ring introductions. The bell rings and we get formal introductions as Cole and Balor face off in the middle of the ring. NXT General Manager William Regal hands the title over to the referee and he raises it in the air.
They lock up and Balor takes it to the corner, then breaks. They trade holds on the mat now. Balor has control but Cole goes behind. They tangle some more and Balor takes Cole back down on the mat. More back and forth and quick pin attempts on the mat. Balor takes Cole back down by a headlock. Balor with a big shoulder block for a 2 count. We get a stalemate early on as the developmental trainees cheer from behind the Plexiglas barrier. They lock up again and Cole takes Balor down, focusing on the arm. Balor turns it around and grounds Cole by his arm now. The crowd rallies. Cole ends up getting up and nailing a basement dropkick. Cole with a big right hand to the face to stagger Balor. Cole keeps control and chops Balor against the ropes. Cole catches Balor with the Ushigoroshi in the middle of the ring as we go to a picture-in-picture commercial.
Back from the break and Balor takes control and kicks Cole in the back for a 2 count. Balor rocks Cole and grounds him in the middle of the ring as the crowd rallies some. More back and forth now. Balor mounts some offense. Balor slams Cole and drops an elbow for a 2 count. Balor takes Cole to the corner and unloads with strikes. Balor stomps away as the referee stops him. Balor keeps control for another 2 count in the middle of the ring. Balor with shoulder thrusts in the corner now. Cole rocks Balor but Balor with more thrusts to the gut in the corner.
Balor takes it to the opposite corner and keeps the offense coming to Cole. Cole comes back some and nails a clothesline. Cole drops Balor with a back elbow and then a pump kick to the jaw, sending him to the mat for a pop. Cole counters a German suplex attempt and nails a kick to the head. Cole drops Balor in the middle of the ring with a Backstabber for another close 2 count. Cole charges but Balor sweeps him but misses the double stomp. They tangle and Balor hits a Slingblade. Balor charges in the corner but Cole nails a Shining Wizard for a close 2 count. The crowd chants “this is awesome!” now. Cole talks some trash to Balor while they’re both on the mat.
Cole exposes his knee but Balor takes him down and hits a double stomp to the chest for a pop. Balor stomps away on Cole while he’s down now. Cole is on the floor now. Balor with a basement dropkick from the ring to send Cole back into the barrier. Balor stomps away on the floor now. Balor sends Cole into a chair next to the timekeeper now. Balor goes back and runs to nail Cole while he’s sitting in the chair, but Cole jumps up and levels him with a big superkick. We go to another picture-in-picture commercial.
Back from the break and Cole goes to the top but Balor knocks him to the mat. Balor goes for a Coup de Grace but Cole moves. Cole superkicks the knee out. Cole with a Figure Four submission in the middle of the ring now. Balor resists and tries to make it to the ropes. He finally grabs the bottom rope to break the hold. Balor clutches his hurt knee. Cole charges as Balor gets up but Balor hits the Slingblade. Balor keeps control and hits the double dropkick into the corner. Balor goes to the top and hits Coup de Grace this time. Balor is having knee troubles but he manages to make the cover. Cole kicks out at 2.
Balor goes for 1916 but it’s countered. Cole drops Balor into another Figure Four. Balor’s shoulders go down for a 2 count but the hold is still applied. Cole drags Balor back from the ropes and we get a roll-up for 2. They stumble to their feet and Cole nails a superkick for 2. Cole with the Last Shot to the back of the head but Balor kicks out at 2. Cole shows some frustration and has a few words with the referee.
Balor blocks the Panama Sunrise. They trade counters again and Balor hits a reverse 1916. Balor slowly climbs to the top but Cole superkicks him. Cole climbs up but Balor unloads on him with elbows. Balor hits a huge super 1916 from the top and covers for the pin to win the vacant title.
Winner and New NXT Champion: Finn Balor
After the match, the music hits as Balor stands tall with the NXT Title. We go to replays. Balor posses in the smoke at the entrance, with the NXT Title wrapped around his waist. He points his guns at the camera as the celebration continues.
The camera goes backstage to see Triple H, William Regal and various NXT Superstars congratulating new NXT Champion Finn Balor. Adam Cole also walks up and they have a “too sweet” moment. A camera man interviews Balor and he says this is the reason he came back to NXT.
