NXT TakeOver R Evolution Continued

                                           
                                                              All Things NXT:

NXT TakerOver R Evolution Edition Continued

                                               

When the bell rings you can tell that the crowd was firmly behind Sami Zayn due to the loud “Lets go Sami! ” chants throughout the NXT area in Full Sail University. Well, Adrian Nevile was calm and determined; all while sporting a new ring attire that was inspired by his home country's flag, the Union Jack. The Two face off from opposite corners of the ring. The anticipation is at an all it’s climax. Finnlay the two Titans of NXT lock up and Nevile strikes first with a ground takedown. For the next several minutes both men showcase their technical prowess. Rending the contest a stalemate thus far. It is great to see this because in a world of “Sports Entertainment” wrestlers do not get the chance to showcase their technical wrestling skills very often especially not for this long. This continues and Neville is able to take full control and slow down the pace of the match. That is until Zayn hits a Hunicarra sending the champion to the outside. Zayn then hits what I believe is called a seated moonsault off the top ring rope onto Nevile. (Don’t quote me on that name). It only takes a few more moves for Zayn to be in control. This just one of the many momentum swings in this match. These two Titans swap control more than siblings swap control of the television remote.

In a giant game of one ups manship, Nevile attempted to pull off the “seated moonsault from the top ring rope” (again, don’t quote me on that). but only accomplishes the Hunicarra part until he is again fling to the the outside and gets whack with a clothesline as the resultant Canadian comes down from a dive over the tope rope.

After hitting a bunch of high impact moves, Zayn counters Nevile’s acrobatic move into a blue thunder bomb and only get a two count. This was a great move from Zayn. Not only did it finally stop Nevile’s rally. He raised the excitement level in a match that was lacking it. Don’t get me wrong, a love a good technical wrestling match as much as the next person who watch this special event. However, when you have two very capable high flyers like Nevile and Zayn, that is not what I wanted to be a ton of. This excitement would stay throughout the rest of the match. In parlically when the kid from New Castle hits a sit up powerbomb (as Rich Brenan put it) on his challenger. Despite Nevile’s best efforts, Zayn kicked out and keep both his Road to Redemption and NXT career alive. This is what happens when you put the two toughest, most resilient superstars in of NXT and put so much on the line for both men. 

Once Adrian Nevile mounts a little more offense on Zayn. He steps him up for the Red Arrow and goes the top rope. Nevile twists and turns in the air only to meet a pair of knees where Zayn’s stomach is suppose to be. This only the second time that I have seen the Red Arrow miss it’s mark. Both of those instances were in a match with one Sami Zayn. This of course is devastating to the champ who immediately gets caught in the Koji Clutch. Nevile would stay in this hold until…. he gets his foot on the bottom rope. Zayn then tried to hit his opponent with an exploder suplex in the corner. The cunning champ countered, and rolled Zayn up for two and a half seconds. When Zayn kicked out, Nevile flew backwards and the back of his head knocked down the referee. That is something that I have not seen before. At this point emotions are at a high point. It is electric inside Full Sail University. (See you don't need the Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment to get a electricity in the air). Sami showed Sympathy to the ref and it ultimately cost him everything he has worked so hard for. Actually, the man kicked out at two. But, it almost cost his everything, key word being almost. 

The crowd would process to chant “THIS IS AWESOME”! over and over as Adrian Nevile and Sami Zayn traded blows that hurt the viewer watching. There was some much impact behind them. Then, the high flying, red haired, canuck pulled off a moved that he hasn't use since his matches with Cearso earlier this year. You know the one where hit leaps through the middle turnbuckle and does this amazing series of moves in just a short period of time. Yeah that one. 

Zayn gets the champion back into the ring and finally hits the Haubi kick on Nevile but, he also hits the ref as well. The crowd would start to chant “This Ref sucks! This Ref sucks! This Ref sucks”! Which was very appropriate for the time I must say. While the Ref is on the ground Nevile brings his title into the ring. Attempts to hit Zayn with it, he missed. Instead got a mouth full of boot. Zayn then picked up the title. While the ref is still down, he contemplated whether or not to whack his long time friend up side the head with his own title belt. Processed to swear a lot. Ultimately, Sami Zayn lacks a “certain killer instinct” as Nevile put it a few weeks before their match and Nevile’s head doesn’t get hit by his own title belt. Instead, Nevile rolls him up once again and once again Zayn kicked out, this time at 2 and ¾. The majority of the crowd breathes a big sigh of relief, some are just trying to catch their breath from watching the amazing match unfolding before their very eyes, others upset that Nevile didn’t win right there and then. Like the guy wearing a “Paul Heyman Guy” shirt in the front row, wearing black eye glasses.

Moments later, Zayn hits the exploder suplex out of nowhere. He follows it up with another Haubi Kick, this gets all of the champion’s face. Zayn would go for the pin on Nevile as soon  as he could. With the whole NXT universe is on there feet. Even the guy in the “Paul Heyman Guy” shirt is on his feet but, the exact opposite reason of most everyone else. The poor guy is going out of his mind. Especially when the referee's hand hits the mat a 3rd time. Especially, when Sami Zayn became the 5th NXT champion in… well NXT history. Its at this point in time that the the majority of the crowd and the rest of the NXT universe, including myself goes “INZAYN”! (Yes, I just typed that and as Batista once say “deal with it”).

It is not until Sami Zayn has the title belt in his hand does he realize that he the new NXT champion. Zayn becomes very emotional and falls to his knees right in front of the man who he just beat for that very title. Nevile still has his back to the mat, he hasn't moved since he lost his title. The man must in shambles. As much as i’m a fan of “The Man That Gravity Forgot” Adrian Nevile (i’m wearing his t-shirt as I type this) it was gratifying to someone who has worked SO hard for everything, who has scratched and clawed just to get to WWE NXT. Once there, worked even harder for over a 1 ½ (won’t get into politics here) to get to the top, to answer his critics who said that he cannot win the “big one”, myself included.

The whole NXT locker room comes out to congratulate him. They are lead by Another one of Zayn’s long time, best friend, one Kevin Owens. Who made him his debut in the 1st match of night. His nose is no longer bleeding. Hugs Zayn like how a father hugs his son. He feels the same emotional Zayn does, he is proud of him (in the way a best friend would, not a fatherly way). Owen’s nose starts bleeding again. Once more he doesn’t seem to care a bit. Owens raises Zayn’s hand in victory. The whole locker room is standing behind them clapping and cheering. As Adrian Nevile sat in the bottom left corner of the ring where he was just defeated cleanly for a title he held since February 27th.

Zayn was then lifted up on the shoulders of all his peers. Celebrating this glorious moment and the confetti rained down upon them. Sami puts the title down when Nevile gets up and puts his hand out. Nevile promptly kicks it away and hugs the man by the neck. Then, the former champion raises the hand of one of his best friends in the world in victory and shows it unyielding respects for winner. Later, the unthinkable happens. Kevin Owens K.O.s the new NXT champion Sami Zayn. This is the only thing that can explain it. Well, people say a picture is worth a thousand words. I think that one does that better than I ever could. That would be it. the screen would fade to black and everyone watching would somehow have to scoop their jaw off the ground.  

I really, really enjoyed this special event. I thought once again it topped it preciser. I thought that there wasn't really a low part in from the pre show to the end of the show. I enjoyed Corey Graves on commentary. I wish he would still be an active wrestler. No matter what though your health sure always come first. I seriously think that he will grow into his new role  and flourish. It was a overall fantastic show that I will not soon forget.

 

Credit to all the people who own the photos in this blog post.

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