At NXT TakeOver: Rival, the next Superstar to challenge for the NXT Title will be determined when Adrian Neville and Finn Bálor go toe-to-toe in the NXT Championship No. 1 Contender’s Tournament Final.

For weeks, the NXT Universe has watched excitedly as a field of eight Superstars has been winnowed down to just Neville and Bálor. The Man Who Gravity Forgot, who held the NXT Title for nearly 10 months before falling to current champion Sami Zayn, advanced to the final round by defeating Tyson Kidd and then Baron Corbin. Irish-born sensation Bálor, meanwhile, stomped his way into the finals with wins over Curtis Axel and respected ally Hideo Itami.

At TakeOver: Rival, the two dynamic and highly popular Superstars will meet for the first time in an NXT ring. What can the world expect to see when Neville’s blink-and-you-missed strike combinations and aerial artistry are pitted against Bálor’s world-renowned arsenal?

Will Neville leap back into the NXT Title scene just months after losing the championship? Or will Bálor, who has taken away the collective breath of the NXT Universe since debuting in September, force his way into title contention for the first time?

Watch the highly anticipated tournament final when NXT TakeOver: Rival airs live on Wednesday, Feb. 11, on WWE Network, which is available for free to new subscribers for February!

First Round Tournament Match – Finn Bálor vs Curtis Axel

Axel goes right after Balor choking him in the ropes until the referee makes them break it up. He throws a hard elbow and continues his assault until Finn connects with a standing dropkick. Axel tries to bail to the outside, but is caught with a senton splash over the ropes. Step-up enzuigiri connects over the ropes, but the referee holds him back as Axel hides in the ropes.

Curtis keeps control, slowing things down with a rest hold for a minute. Balor breaks free but runs into a knee strike. Axel comes up empty (by a mile) with a top rope elbow drop and is caught by a Pele Kick. Finn connects with the Slingblade, followed up by a running dropkick in the corner. He goes to the top rope and finishes off the match with a double foot stomp.

Winner: Finn Bálor

Related Links, Photos & More:
» FINNishing TOUCH: World Wrestling Entertainment > Live Event Digitals > NXT > 2015 > January 21st
» FINNishing TOUCH: Screen Captures > World Wrestling Entertainment > NXT > 2015 > January 21st

Want to know what Finn is up to on NXT before it airs? Click “show” to reveal the spoilers.
[spoiler]
01/21
William Regal announces the next Takeover special for February 11th. A tournament will be held to determine Sami Zayn’s opponent for the NXT Title.

Finn Bálor defeated Curtis Axel in a tournament match.

02/04
Finn Bálor defeated Hideo Itami in a tournament match for the right to face Adrian Neville in the finals. This was an amazing match and the end of Thursday’s tapings.

*Finn Bálor vs. Adrian Neville to determine the #1 contender to the NXT Championshiop has been confirmed for the February 11th NXT Takeover special.
[/spoiler]

NXT Superstar Finn Bálor takes us through the key moments of his match with Tyson Kidd.

Related Links, Photos & More:
» FINNishing TOUCH: Screen Captures > World Wrestling Entertainment > Video Exclusives > NXT BreakDown featuring Finn Bálor – January 14, 2015

Finn Bàlor

Those who witnessed Finn Bálor compete alongside Hideo Itami at NXT Takeover: R Evolution saw exactly why the Irish-born Superstar is one to keep an eye on in the coming year. For those who haven’t, stop what you’re doing and check out the match on the WWE Network or this clip right here.

Bálor has already emerged with one unique and unforgettable entrance, and the budding Superstar’s in-ring work is hard-hitting, energetic, athletic and, most important of all, innovative. Bálor’s been so impressive down in NXT that he’s gone from debut to marquee spot on a live special — against the brand’s most dominant tag team of all time, mind you — in less than two months.

If that’s what he can do in such a short amount of time in 2014, then you better believe Bálor will be contending for the NXT Title — and maybe even a spot on the main roster — before 2015 comes to a close. — MIKE MURPHY

Want to know what Finn is up to on NXT before it airs? Click “show” to reveal the spoilers.
[spoiler]
12/25
Finn Bálor and Hideo Itami defeated The Ascension.

1/8
Finn Bálor defeated Tyson Kidd.[/spoiler]