#1 Contender NXT Championship Tournament Semi-Finals Match
Hideo Itami vs. Finn Bálor

Balor and Itami lock eyes and then they get right to it. First they lock hands, break and then come together again. When they really get grappling, it almost looks like an even match. After some twisting and grappling, they break, stand back and assess one another as the fans voice their approval. Itami tries to get on top of Finn on the mat but Balor won’t make it easy. Itami hits the ropes and Finn gets him with a solid dropkick as we go to break.

Back after the commercial, Itami is back up and he has control of Balor for the moment. Finn breaks loose and heads to the ropes but Hideo takes him down and tries for a cover. Finn gets back into it and works Hideo into an unusual stretch hold followed by a cover. Itami kicks out and Finn covers again, but no dice. Balor stays on top of things, locking in a choke on Hideo. He continues with the mat work but Itami wriggles out and ascends the ropes. Balor connects with a kick, putting Hideo on the canvas. Another break ensues.

As the match resumes, Balor is chopping the holy bejeezus out of Hideo. Itami comes back with a dropkick and then hits a clothesline. Itami goes into full offensive mode now, putting Balor’s neck into the rope and then cracking him with a kick. Itami teases the GTS and they trade counters until both guys are down on the mat. When both men reach a vertical base again, they trade huge shots. Itami finally gets the advantage with strikes and kicks, following with a corner dropkick but Balor takes him out with a sling blade and then a big dropkick. He hits a double-stomp off the top and after a three-count, it’s over.

Winner: Finn Bálor

Related Links, Photos & More:
» FINNishing TOUCH: World Wrestling Entertainment > Live Event Digitals > NXT > 2015 > February 4th
» FINNishing TOUCH: Screen Captures > World Wrestling Entertainment > NXT > 2015 > February 4th

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

NXT rising star Finn Bálor comes to life in full body paint in artist Rob Schamberger’s latest art piece.

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 Bálor vs Tyson Kidd

Balor hits an immediate dropkick before he heads up top, then Kidd bails outside and Balor gives chase and rolls him back in the ring. Kidd rolls out the other side so Balor follows him again, but Kidd slams him into the barricade and kicks him a few times. Kidd rolls him inside and hits a legdrop, then he taunts Balor a bit and hits a neckbreaker. Kidd applies a side headlock before he puts Balor in tree of woe position, then he stomps Balor a few times before Balor kicks him in the face.

Balor hits a reverse bulldog and an enziguri, then Kidd falls outside so Balor hits a suicide dive on the ramp. Kidd connects with a kick to the head, then he hits a springboard elbow drop for two before he applies a Sharpshooter. Balor gets to the ropes to break, then he pulls Kidd through the ropes and hits an inverted elevated DDT (Bloody Sunday), followed by a top rope diving kick to the head for the win.

Winner: Finn Bálor

Related Links, Photos & More:
» FINNishing TOUCH: World Wrestling Entertainment > Live Event Digitals > NXT > 2015 > January 14th
» FINNishing TOUCH: Screen Captures > World Wrestling Entertainment > NXT > 2015 > January 14th