NXT’s daredevil champion meets the blunt force of Samoa Joe at TakeOver: Dallas.

At long last, NXT Champion Finn Bálor’s challenger at NXT TakeOver: Dallas has been decided. Samoa Joe, the 282-pound submission specialist who pushed Bálor to the limit in London last December, will vie for the title again on Friday, April 1, live on WWE Network.

Joe emerged as the No. 1 contender after prevailing in a grueling series of bouts against Baron Corbin and Sami Zayn, which culminated when Joe defeated Zayn in a bitterly fought 2-out-of-3 Falls Match on March 9. Having powered through two of NXT’s finest, the battle-tested warrior looks ahead to challenging for NXT’s top accolade at a second consecutive Takeover event.

The blunt force of Joe’s strikes and soporific power of his Coquina Clutch nearly brought Bálor’s reign to an end in London. The ever-resilient Bálor survived Joe’s onslaught then, just as he has survived against every other challenger who has stepped his way, no matter the size, style or experience.

Yet, with Samoa Joe looking more intent than ever to prove himself as NXT’s top dog, will Bálor be displaced as champion on April 1? Or will The Demon come out in Dallas to silence the threat? Watch Samoa Joe and Finn Bálor go toe-to-toe for the prestigious NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver: Dallas, when it airs live on WWE Network Friday, April 1, at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Samoa Joe def. Bull Dempsey
After being put to sleep at the hands of Samoa Joe last week, Bull Dempsey was out for payback against the submission specialist. However, there was no stopping Joe. As his NXT Championship showdown with Finn Bálor draws closer, Samoa Joe is only getting more furious. Dempsey came out swinging, but Samoa Joe swung harder. Joe took Dempsey’s best and walked through it, clobbering the 300-pounder with strikes of his own before locking on the Coquina Clutch to win by submission.

Joe had to be pried off of Dempsey by members of the NXT locker room, who were then demolished by the angry Samoan. Joe locked the Clutch on Bull again as NXT General Manager William Regal implored Joe to release the hold. The No. 1 Contender refused to let go, until Bálor rushed to the ring and began pummeling his top challenger.

There was no separating these two heated rivals, though officials and NXT Superstars tried. Bálor and Joe brawled throughout the arena, where no one was safe. Joe hurled the NXT Champion over the announcers’ table, taking out Corey Graves. Bálor brushed off the nasty fall and dove off the table onto Joe, unleashing a flurry of strikes that was answered in kind by the challenger. Officials finally pulled the two apart after the brawl spilled back into the ring, leaving the NXT Universe wondering if Dallas is big enough to contain the carnage these two will create at TakeOver.

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»FINNishing TOUCH: World Wrestling Entertainment > Live Event Digitals > NXT > 2016 > March 30th
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NXT Champion Finn Bálor has faced – and survived – every test put in front of him since winning the title last July. The champion’s resolve puts him among the elite in NXT history, as he comes closer to having the longest NXT Championship reign ever.

Seeking to test the champion once again, NXT General Manager William Regal has lined up a major opponent for Bálor: The Superstar who held the NXT Championship longer than anyone, and The Man That Gravity Forgot, Neville!

Can Finn Bálor once again show the tenacity that brought him to the top of NXT, or will Neville show that no NXT Champion, past or present, is greater than him? Find out this Wednesday at 8/7 C, only on WWE Network!

[spoiler]March 23rd Episode:
– NXT Champion Finn Balor defeated Rich Swann with Bloody Sunday in a fun non-title match

March 30th Episode:
– Samoa Joe defeated Bull Dempsey by submission but doesn’t let go of the hold. Regal sends a bunch of guys out to pull him off but Joe handles them all. Balor makes the save but Joe roughs him up. Finn fights back and even dives off the announce table during the brawl. Joe grabs Balor from behind but Balor fights him off again to end the show
[/spoiler]

[spoiler]March 2nd Episode:

NXT champion Finn Balor beat Neville with Bloody Sunday in the main event. This was the match of the night. Balor then posed for the crowd and did the Bullet Club motion to close the taping.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]January 20th Episode:

– Apollo Crews defeated Tye Dillinger. After the match, Crews issued a challenge to NXT Champion Finn Balor and said it doesn’t have to be for the title

February 3rd Episode:

– NXT Champion Finn Balor vs. Apollo Crews in a non-title match is the main event. Great match, Balor gets the win with a Bloody Sunday DDT
[/spoiler]