Kyle O’Reilly vs. WWE NXT Champion Finn Balor is now official for the next NXT Takeover event.
Tonight’s “Take Off To Takeover” edition of NXT on the USA Network featured the first-ever Gauntlet Eliminator Match as the main event. O’Reilly became the new #1 contender by winning the match, which also featured Kushida, Bronson Reed, Timothy Thatcher, and Cameron Grimes.
Kushida and O’Reilly started the match and both were still active when Reed came out. Reed ended up eliminating Kushida after The Velveteen Dream hit the ring and took advantage of a distracted referee to hit the Dream Valley Driver on Kushida. Thatcher was the next man out. O’Reilly ended up eliminating Reed after a knee drop from the top. Thatcher lasted several more minutes but was eliminated after a roll-up by O’Reilly. The finish, several minutes later, saw Grimes’ knee buckle after he missed the Cave In. O’Reilly then took Grimes down in a knee bar for the submission win.
The next NXT Takeover event is scheduled for Sunday, October 4. It’s likely to take place at the NXT Arena on the campus of Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL, but it’s also been rumored for the Amway Center in Orlando, which would be the WWE ThunderDome debut for Takeover.
Below is the current card for Takeover, along with a few shots from tonight’s main event:
NXT Title Match
Kyle O’Reilly vs. Finn Balor (c)
NXT Women’s Title Match
Candice LeRae vs. Io Shirai (c)
NXT North American Title Match
Johnny Gargano vs. Damian Priest (c)
.@KUSHIDA_0904 & @KORcombat are the first to step into the #GauntletEliminator NEXT on #WWENXT's Take Off to TakeOver! pic.twitter.com/kckE8U9Hlx
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) September 24, 2020
The #GauntletEliminator just became !@bronsonreedwwe has stepped into the fray on #WWENXT! @KORcombat @KUSHIDA_0904 pic.twitter.com/cgzjL3HvDq
— WWE (@WWE) September 24, 2020
And just like that… @DreamWWE helped destroy @KUSHIDA_0904's #NXTTitle dreams.
Kushida has been eliminated in the #GauntletEliminator. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/CA7GGg8Ave
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) September 24, 2020
Don't let this entrance fool you. Timothy Thatcher will fight TOOTH and NAIL to succeed in this #GauntletEliminator! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/mwssFp9een
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) September 24, 2020
The hard-hitting offense continues to be dialed all the way in this #GauntletEliminator Match!#WWENXT @KUSHIDA_0904 @bronsonreedwwe @KORcombat pic.twitter.com/Jzzvr7ZGJ3
— WWE (@WWE) September 24, 2020
.@CGrimesWWE makes a splash in the #GauntletEliminator…
…and he kept his on! #Impressive #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/PjOGDUdZ5I
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) September 24, 2020
THICC BOI COMING IN HOT!!! #WWENXT #GauntletEliminator @bronsonreedwwe @CGrimesWWE @KORcombat pic.twitter.com/P4lCIZsddc
— WWE (@WWE) September 24, 2020
.@KORcombat has no time to celebrate pinning @bronsonreedwwe because Timothy Thatcher has immediately secured the #UndisputedERA Superstar in an Ankle Lock! #WWENXT #GauntletEliminator pic.twitter.com/MRMLmRGDuk
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) September 24, 2020
The #GauntletEliminator has become a real emotional rollercoaster for @CGrimesWWE. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/YQtdue5S0f
— WWE (@WWE) September 24, 2020
KOOL KYLE DID IT!!!! @KORcombat pins @CGrimesWWE to win the #GauntletEliminator and challenge @FinnBalor for the #NXTTitle! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/QmJwkQm7ln
— WWE (@WWE) September 24, 2020
Undisputed Friendship. #WWENXT @roderickstrong @AdamColePro @KORcombat pic.twitter.com/xvwil2nwYk
— WWE (@WWE) September 24, 2020
Till #NXTTakeOver.
Don't miss it. #WWENXT @KORcombat @FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/CrzDVCK49o
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) September 24, 2020
At #NXTTakeOver on Oct. 4, it’s official: @finnbalor vs. @KORcombat for the #NXTTitle! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/4AoVlvmHQf
— WWE (@WWE) September 24, 2020
G O L D E N P R O P H E C Y
The winner of the AMAZING 'Gauntlet Eliminator' and challenging @FinnBalor at #NXTTakeOver is @KORcombat! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/C4fcbLvrYJ
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) September 24, 2020
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