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00:00Corey Graves, here we go.
00:05It is time for our main event, the NXT Championship is on the line.
00:12Take a look at them, your number one contender, Finn Balor.
00:17With a huge opportunity tonight,
00:19Balor the number one contender after winning a tournament that saw him defeat
00:24Adrian Neville, the longest reigning NXT champion in history.
00:30Balor defeating Neville in the finals of that tournament to earn this chance tonight.
00:34Finn Balor has spent his entire life trying to prove that he is the best.
00:38And he hasn't been in NXT a long time, but
00:40Finn has set out to show the world tonight he deserves to be NXT champion.
00:48Kevin Owens challenged Finn Balor, said bring the demon.
00:52No one is taking the NXT Championship away from me or my family.
00:57It is interesting in this huge matchup that Balor is out without the paint.
01:04Finn Balor is a master of mind games, he's enigmatic, he's intelligent.
01:08He knows exactly what he's doing.
01:10Coming out without the paint, maybe not giving Kevin Owens what Owens expected.
01:14That's as much of a mind game as anything.
01:16Finn Balor saying he doesn't need the demon to beat Kevin Owens.
01:21He believes he can do it on his own, time will tell.
01:25I know a lot of people who would agree with Finn Balor.
01:31You've got to have confidence in this game.
01:33Finn Balor is supremely confident.
01:36Claims he doesn't need the paint, doesn't need the mind games.
01:39We're about to find out for sure.
01:41You talk about confidence, look at the eyes of Finn Balor.
01:50That is confidence personified.
01:52You have to think in some ways that Finn Balor has momentum on his side, but when you talk
02:01about momentum, there is no denying the momentum that Kevin Owens has.
02:07Since the very first time Owens stepped into an NXT ring, he has been riding an unstoppable wave of dominance.
02:13All the way to the NXT Championship, and look in the eyes.
02:15That is a man that is determined to keep that championship.
02:19That look in the eyes of Kevin Owens, I see somebody who's very cold, very calculating.
02:26Somebody with no remorse, seemingly no concern for anybody but himself.
02:32Lucky for Kevin Owens, we're in the business of beating up others.
02:36He's got a lot of confidence in the world.
02:38He's got a lot of confidence in the world.
02:40He's got a lot of confidence in the world.
02:42He's got a lot of confidence in the world.
02:44Anybody but himself.
02:47Lucky for Kevin Owens, we're in the business of beating up other grown men.
02:50And that's how you win championships.
02:52That's how you keep championships.
02:53You can't show remorse.
02:55You can't have sympathy if you want to be the champ.
02:58Kevin Owens captured that championship and take over rival two months to the
03:03night of his debut, defeating Sami Zayn, and we have not seen Sami Zayn since.
03:08He's got a lot of confidence in the world.
03:14Big fight feel here tonight at Full Sail University with the NXT Championship on the line.
03:20What a matchup this is going to be.
03:26Introducing first the challenger from Bray County,
03:29Wicklow, Ireland, weighing 190 pounds, Finn Balor.
03:38And his opponent from Maryville, Quebec, Canada, weighing 266 pounds.
03:49He is the NXT Champion, Kevin Owens.
04:01Kevin Owens won't even let the referee touch his championship.
04:04You think he's going to let Finn Balor take it from him?
04:09Look at right there, Kevin Owens kissing the championship.
04:13And you know what that championship represents to him?
04:16A better life for his family, a better life for his kids, or so he says.
04:21Corey, do you believe him?
04:22Yes.
04:23It's an undisputed fact that when you are the champion, you get more money,
04:27you get more opportunities, you get more success.
04:30Kevin Owens wants that for himself and his family.
04:33Finn Balor wants it for himself because Finn wants to go to the next level.
04:39Kevin Owens on the left of your screen.
04:41Finn Balor, the challenger in this matchup.
04:44There you see that strategy that Owens uses over and over again.
04:48He's psyching out Finn Balor.
04:49He's taking a walk, collecting his thoughts, maybe getting into the mind of Finn.
04:54This is exactly what Owens did the night he won the championship
04:57against Sami Zayn at TakeOver Rival.
04:59Setting his own terms, setting his own pace.
05:07I followed the careers of both these guys long before they got to NXT.
05:11And I've got to be honest with you, as a fan, I'm excited for this one.
05:13This is the first time these two have squared off at NXT.
05:21It will be interesting to see how the pace goes at this matchup. Look at that.
05:24You can't keep your eye, you got to keep your eye on Kevin Owens.
05:27You can't give him any second.
05:28He's not afraid to bend the rules to take advantage.
05:32Almost a carbon copy of what we saw at TakeOver Rival.
05:35Owens slowing the pace, grinding down Finn Balor.
05:39And that seems to be where the smart money is. You have to keep Balor off his feet.
05:47Balor unable to shake Owens there. Owens got that vice-like grip,
05:50that forearm right across the ear and the jawbone of Finn Balor.
05:54It's incredibly painful. It's a good way to wear your opponent down.
05:57Owens asking where the demon was. He's starting to pick up.
06:14Beautiful crowd kick by Finn Balor. And look at that, forcing the champ to the outside.
06:19A smart maneuver by Owens, rolling out, regrouping himself, reformulating his game plan,
06:24because the championship is on the line.
06:26This matchup continues here on NXT.
06:32Matchup continues here on NXT. The championship is on the line.
06:36Finn Balor, the challenger, in control.
06:40We said at the outset that the slower pace would benefit Kevin Owens,
06:43but Finn Balor's having a good deal of success right now.
06:45He has the champ down, grinding away, working on that shoulder.
06:48We talked about it before, Finn Balor not only defeating Adrian Neville to get to this,
07:03also defeated his friend and former tag team partner Hideo Itami in that tournament.
07:08Oh, look at this. Beautiful drop kick by Balor. Cover, hook of the leg, and a kick out.
07:16You said Finn defeated his friend, but Kevin Owens knows better than anybody. When it comes to the
07:22championship, there are no friends. You saw what Kevin Owens did to Sami Zayn.
07:26He's downright brutal. Speaking of brutal, how about what Owens did to Alex Riley last week?
07:35Absolute dominance, sending a message to Finn Balor and anybody else that's looking to dethrone the champ.
07:40Think about what Owens did to Adrian Neville.
07:48Once again, Owens using the referee's count to his advantage.
07:55Looks like Balor may have done a little damage to the left arm of Kevin Owens.
07:59And now Owens continuing the assault on Balor.
08:07Balor trying to take control.
08:10Look at this. Look at a suplex, the big guy, back into the ring.
08:16Brilliant maneuver by Kevin Owens. Using his surroundings as a weapon.
08:21And now Owens continuing the assault on Balor.
08:34Big close line by the champ.
08:42Just raining those right hands down onto the head of Finn Balor.
08:46Lacing them in, now dropping a huge elbow into the sternum. Corey, you mentioned there are no
08:50friends in pursuit of the championship. It's a question that has been asked a couple of times
08:57before. Do you believe with Kevin Owens that it truly is about the championship,
09:02that there's not something a little deeper lurking inside of him that possesses him to do this?
09:07Listen, it's not what I believe. It's the facts. The facts are what they are. Kevin Owens,
09:12whatever's driving him, has been successful at this point. Who am I to question it?
09:16And again, Owens, the champion, setting the pace, grinding Balor down to the mat.
09:30Did you see what Owens was doing right there? Driving his chin into the temple of Finn Balor.
09:34Incredibly painful, just adding insult to injury. And we know how much Kevin Owens likes to insult
09:39people as he's injuring them. Only one man can be the NXT champion. Kevin Owens doesn't have any
09:50intention of not being that man. Balor stirring back to his feet.
10:00Oh! Every time Balor tries to pick the pace up, there's Kevin Owens to bulldoze him right over.
10:06Oh!
10:11Cover, hook of the leg, and a kick out by the challenger.
10:17Right back to that rear chin lock. Brilliant strategy by Owens.
10:22Grinding the energy, grinding the chin. Finn Balor, the air just being driven out of him.
10:28The NXT championship is on the line, and right now the champ, Kevin Owens,
10:33in firm control as this matchup rolls on.
10:38The NXT championship is on the line tonight. Kevin Owens, the champion,
10:43against the number one contender, Finn Balor. And so far, Corey,
10:49it has been all Kevin Owens, and he's certainly not shy at all, is he?
10:53Why would he be? He's the NXT champion. Kevin Owens is the best in NXT. The title says it all.
10:59If he wants to talk some smack while he's beating somebody up, I'm not gonna tell him any different.
11:03What do you say?
11:04What do you say?
11:04What do you say?
11:06Let's go!
11:06Come on, Ray!
11:07Come on!
11:08Come on!
11:09Come on!
11:10Come on!
11:11Come on!
11:12Come on!
11:13Come on!
11:14Again, Balor trying to stir.
11:15Oh, yeah!
11:16Come on!
11:18Whoop!
11:18Come on!
11:20Come on!
11:21Come on!
11:22Come on!
11:23Come on!
11:23Come on!
11:24Hey!
11:24Hey!
11:25Hey!
11:25Hey!
11:25What are you doing?
11:25And the champ wasting no time going right after Balor.
11:28No one is as comfortable outside of the ring as he is inside of it.
11:31The guy's a brawler.
11:33That's what he does best.
11:35He can inflict some damage on Finn Balor on the outside.
11:37He's gonna do it.
11:39Maybe looking to powerbomb Balor into the ring apron, but Balor fighting out of it!
11:46Balor may have saved the matchup right there, Corey.
11:48Finn Balor may have saved more than the matchup.
11:50He may have saved his career.
11:52When was the last time we saw Adrian Neville when Kevin Owens powerbomb him across the apron
11:56like he just tried to do to Finn Balor?
11:58And now Balor with an opportunity with the championship on the line.
12:03He's got to stay on Kevin Owens, but look out!
12:09Running right into the champ!
12:11Hang on!
12:11Oh!
12:13Cover!
12:15Trying to put Balor away and a kick out!
12:17Such innovative offense by Kevin Owens.
12:20Somehow Balor got the right shoulder up.
12:22Just as Balor started to get a little momentum, Owens put a stop to it.
12:29Huge senton!
12:31Cover!
12:31The champ!
12:33To get a kick out by Finn Balor.
12:37Owens looking a little frustrated.
12:38Kevin Owens has carried out his plan to perfection since day one.
12:52Some could say manipulating his way to the NXT title.
12:59Has he manipulated Finn Balor in this matchup here tonight?
13:02By challenging him to bring the demon.
13:09Making Balor believe that he could do it without the demon.
13:12Cover!
13:13And again a kick out by Balor.
13:15And again right back to the rear chin lock by Owens.
13:19We've seen how dangerous Finn Balor is when he can use the top rope.
13:22When he can fly through the air, use his agility.
13:24Kevin Owens has neutralized that and he's grinding away at the number one contender.
13:30Look at the face of Finn Balor.
13:31The exhaustion starting to set in.
13:33It's incredibly hard to breathe.
13:34Not to mention very painful being in a hold like that.
13:39NXT Universe getting behind Finn Balor.
13:41Corey, in your mind, has Balor made a mistake by not tapping into that dark passenger that he has?
13:47Time will tell.
13:48I don't like to be the one to say Finn Balor made any sort of mistakes.
13:50The match is still happening.
13:51He hasn't lost.
13:52He still has a very fair chance of winning tonight.
13:55But as it stands, it looks like maybe he did make a mistake.
13:59I mean, so far it has been all Kevin Owens.
14:01The champ has been in control the majority of this matchup.
14:04Anytime Balor has mounted any offense.
14:09Owens has been quick to shut him down.
14:11Oh!
14:11My God, did you hear that?
14:17Sounded like a shotgun went off.
14:19The turnbuckles clicked.
14:21That ring man move.
14:22Listen to this, listen.
14:26I think you're right.
14:26It looked like the ring may have shifted by an inch or so.
14:30My God.
14:31The picture's worth a thousand words.
14:32The sound must be worth a million.
14:35Finn Balor's back could be fractured after that.
14:41Oh!
14:43That cannot help at all.
14:45This could be an off cover.
14:46And again, a power out by the challenger.
14:49But Balor's impressing me with his will.
14:52The fact that he kicks out over and over again shows how much he wants to win the NXT title.
14:58Can Finn Balor stage a rally and come back in this matchup?
15:02The NXT title is on the line as NXT continues.
15:06The champion Kevin Owens has controlled the majority of this matchup.
15:22But right now it is the challenger Finn Balor trying to rally back.
15:25And once again, Owens right there to cut him down.
15:35Balor put the brakes on.
15:36Oh!
15:37Champ to the outside.
15:39That's a bad place to be when Finn Balor's in the ring.
15:43Look out.
15:43Here comes Balor diving over the top rope.
15:49But look at Balor.
15:50Balor came down hard on the left leg.
15:57The stakes are at an all-time high for Finn Balor.
15:59If it means sacrificing his well-being, he's going to do it.
16:03Now rolling the champ to the inside.
16:05Balor going to the top.
16:09His target is acquired and here comes Balor.
16:12Owens might be out.
16:14Cover for the championship.
16:16And a kick out.
16:17Balor lined up Kevin Owens perfectly.
16:22Finn Balor pulling out all the stops.
16:24Look at the height on that.
16:25The double stop to the back of the neck of Kevin Owens.
16:28That about ended it right there.
16:33And for the first time in this matchup, the champion is stunned.
16:38Balor looking to make the most of it.
16:40Oh, great counter by Owens.
16:43Oh, oh, Pele kick.
16:51This is the most momentum we've seen Finn Balor mount tonight.
16:56The NXT championship is on the line.
16:59Finn Balor the number one contender.
17:03Against the champion Kevin Owens who has proven he will do whatever it takes.
17:08And Balor with a running chop.
17:15The momentum building for the challenger.
17:21What a chop by Owens.
17:23Just driving the wind out of the lungs of Finn Balor.
17:25Oh, Sleekly.
17:31Balor connecting.
17:32I don't know where Finn's getting this, but whatever he, whatever he needs, he's got.
17:35He's picking in the pace right now.
17:37What a huge clothesline.
17:39And Balor again.
17:41Going for the double underhook lifting DDT.
17:44There it is.
17:45New champion.
17:46New champion Finn Balor.
17:48No.
17:50There's still too much fight left in Kevin Owens.
17:54What a match.
18:02Ken Balor capitalized.
18:03Can he keep the momentum going?
18:05If he wants any chance of dethroning Owens, he's got to keep going.
18:09Look out.
18:12Here comes Balor.
18:14And again.
18:16Great ring awareness by Kevin Owens.
18:18Finn Balor going for that drop kick we've seen over and over and again.
18:23Well, right there you can see Balor running into the turnbuckle.
18:26I think his knee caught the middle turnbuckle.
18:28The left leg, the same knee that he may have injured when he landed on the entrance ramp earlier.
18:34Look at Kevin Owens.
18:37Owens smelling blood.
18:39Like a great white shark.
18:42That's why he's the NXT champion.
18:44It was almost like a light bulb went off.
18:47Oh!
18:49The look on Owens face when he realized that
18:52Balor had injured his knee.
18:56And now Kevin Owens doing what he does so well.
18:58That is find a weakness.
19:00Find an injury and simply exploit it.
19:04By doing that, Kevin Owens is taking away Finn Balor's offense.
19:07We see Finn use those legs from the top rope with the kicks.
19:11When you limit your opponent's offense, you're going to have a great success rate.
19:15That's why Kevin Owens is the champion.
19:20Combine that with the utter lack of remorse or concern for another man's well-being.
19:25This business isn't built on remorse, Rich.
19:28You can hear the ref asking Finn Balor if he wants to stop the match.
19:43I got a feeling that no matter how bad Finn Balor is hurting right now,
19:52no matter how injured Finn Balor might be, he is not going to quit.
19:55Look at Owens, 300 pounds, standing on the legs, senton right on the knee.
20:04Now flipping Balor over center of the ring, half crab applied and nowhere for Balor to go.
20:10If there is any quit in Finn Balor as a man, I have a feeling we're going to see it soon.
20:14If he wants to fight another day, maybe it's best to just tap out.
20:19Balor using all of his strength, crawling towards the bottom rope.
20:25Oh, able to get there.
20:30So much heart displayed by Finn Balor, able to make it to the ropes.
20:34But what's he got left? He can't even stand at this point.
20:39How much damage has been done to that knee by Kevin Owens?
20:45The atmosphere in this building, pins and needles,
20:48watching Finn Balor challenge for the NXT championship.
20:52Uh-uh, I know.
20:56Whoa, from in close, double footstop.
21:02And the momentum has shifted once again, Corey.
21:04The playing field is even, both men are down.
21:07This could come down to who makes it to their feet first.
21:14That knee of Balor is still bothering him, you can see it.
21:16This is awesome, this is awesome.
21:22The NXT universe.
21:26Enjoying this matchup, loving the competition taking place in front of them.
21:32Oh!
21:34Enziguri in the corner.
21:36This couldn't work out well for Kevin Owens.
21:43Balor perhaps trying to end it right now.
21:47Going for a superplex.
21:48Nobody more comfortable on the top than Balor, but Kevin Owens.
21:51My God!
21:56Where did that come from?
22:01Kevin Owens trying to put Balor away.
22:04And somehow, somehow, Finn Balor's staying alive.
22:09Not few men in this business are as comfortable on the top rope as Finn Balor.
22:13And Kevin Owens was able to adapt, counter that maneuver.
22:16I don't know what kind of suplex that was.
22:21But that was a long way down for Finn Balor to be driven.
22:24Let's go Finn!
22:25Let's go Finn!
22:26Let's go Finn!
22:27Right now, trying to will on Finn Balor.
22:34Oh!
22:35Another big kick.
22:37Oh, and there's Owens again.
22:39Brilliant move by Kevin Owens.
22:42That chop block stopping all the momentum Finn Balor started to build.
22:47Finn's in a bad, bad situation right here.
22:53Owens sees his opportunity.
22:55Oh, look out, look out, cannonball.
23:02Think of the momentum.
23:09The force in which Kevin Owens collided with Finn Balor in the corner.
23:13Now he's just doing damage.
23:14Kevin Owens just out to hurt Finn Balor right now.
23:18Got that leg tied up.
23:21Referee checking on Balor and here comes Owens again.
23:24No!
23:27Finn Balor's knee could be destroyed right now.
23:32270 pounds full speed ahead right into the knee of Finn Balor.
23:36I don't know what kind of damage that did, but Finn can't be in a good situation.
23:41Tendons and ligaments torn apart.
23:42Here comes Owens again.
23:44This time, Balor out of the way.
23:53Here comes Finn Balor running drop kick.
23:59Where is Finn getting the ability?
24:00How can he even stand on that leg right now?
24:02And Balor, Balor has Owens lined up to the top rope.
24:10Could this be the dawning of a new era in NXT?
24:12Finn Balor is NXT champion.
24:14Here comes Balor connecting.
24:17That's it.
24:17Cuda Gross.
24:18Balor can't make the cover.
24:23Look at the agony on Finn Balor's face.
24:25That knee is damaged.
24:29He could have the title won right now.
24:33Think of the pain that Balor's in.
24:35No!
24:35Lights out.
24:36Up a Powerball!
24:38One, two, three.
24:45Here is your winner and still the NXT champion, Kevin Owens.
24:59What a battle tonight.
25:01My goodness.
25:02We thought moments ago we were going to see a brand new NXT champion when Finn
25:09Balor connected with the Cuda Gross.
25:11But let's take it back to earlier in the match, Corey.
25:15The momentum firmly on the side of Kevin Owens.
25:17But Finn Balor connecting with a huge clothesline.
25:22And then the lifting double underhook DDT.
25:24The pace started to quicken and Finn Balor made a comeback and mounted some
25:28offense and he was second, hairs away from becoming NXT champion.
25:33But the champ had other plans.
25:35Look at this.
25:38Modified suplex from the top rope from Kevin Owens.
25:42You gotta give it to Finn Balor.
25:43How he was able to kick out at that move, I don't understand.
25:46And Owens lining up Finn Balor with that spot, the cannonball to the corner.
26:01Owens wasn't done there.
26:05270 pounds, full speed ahead, into the knee of Finn Balor.
26:09He could have severe damage to that knee.
26:11But you have to take your hat off for Finn.
26:13He didn't quit.
26:15Owens going for a third-quarter cannonball this time.
26:19Balor out of the way.
26:21And the challenger sensing his opportunity.
26:25Lining up the champ with that brutal drop kick.
26:28That drop kick has been the beginning of the end for many opponents.
26:33How Finn Balor was able to climb to that top rope.
26:35And the pain he was in.
26:37How much fighting spirit did he display.
26:40This was it.
26:41I was convinced we had a new NXT champion right here.
26:43Coup de grace.
26:45You and the rest of the NXT universe thought that was it.
26:48But the injured left knee.
26:50Initially injured on the entrance ramp with a dive over the top rope.
26:55Lights out.
26:57Evan Owens.
26:58One, two, three.
27:00Still your NXT champion.
27:02What a battle, Rich.
27:04That makes me proud to be part of NXT.
27:06Two valiant warriors leaving it all in the ring for the richest prize in NXT.
27:11And Kevin Owens walks out victorious.
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