Samoa Joe retains his NXT Championship in a hellacious Steel Cage match against Finn Balor. Photo from WWE.
Samoa Joe successfully retained his NXT Championship and ended his feud with Finn Balor, winning their Steel Cage match at NXT TakeOver: The End at Full Sail University in Orlando Wednesday (Thursday Manila time).
The Samoan submission specialist caught the escaping Irish on the top of the cage and held him back inside, hitting a Muscle Buster from the second rope for the three-count to keep the title within his clutches.
Joe earlier survived a Coup de Grace from Balor and reversed his 1916 attempt to a Coquina clutch. But Balor was able to escape the hold and hit Joe with another Coup de Grace before attempting to escape the cage, setting up the dramatic finish.
In the night’s other matches, Asuka outlasted Nia Jax to defend her NXT Women’s Championship.
The Japanese striker took down the monstrous Samoan with an array of kicks, grounding her before hitting a running kick for the pinfall win.
The Revival also made history, becoming two-time NXT Tag Team Champions as they beat American Alpha with the Shatter Machine.
After the match, two big men emerged and laid waste on the defeated Jason Jordan and Chad Gable before Hall of Fame manager Paul Ellering came out and accompanied the two to the back.
Shinsuke Nakamura also bested Austin Aries with a Kinshasa, while Andrade “Cien” Almas made a memorable debut as he defeated Tye Dillinger with a double running knee smash to the corner.
Former TNA World Champion Bobby Roode also made an appearance backstage, seemingly in negotiations with NXT General Manager William Regal.