[SOUND] The following contest scheduled for
one fall is for the NXT Championship.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> Introducing the challenger from Bray,
County Wicklow, Ireland, Finn Balor.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> His opponent,
representing The Undisputed Era.
He is the NXT champion, Adam Cole.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> Adam Cole, the 16th NXT Champion.
Finn Balor, looking to join one of his arch rival Samoa Joe and
Shinsuke Nakamura, as two-time NXT Champions.
[SOUND] >> A lot on the line in this one,
not just the NXT title, but of course, Adam Cole's prophecy all four members
of The Undisputed Era drape in gold in 2019 .they wanna end 2019 the same way.
>> Waist lock take down flow over into the north south position and
now writing a back end Finn Balor neutralizing the champion Cole early.
Reversal into the hammerlock and immediately a back and forth battle.
Who is going to get the early advantage, Beth?
>> Bálor doing a great job, solid amateur wrestling mark skills,
keeping Cole to the ground.
One of Cole's greatest attributes this year was his consistency and durability.
So many opponents had so much to throw and Cole has survive them all.
>> Let's not forget Adam Cole successfully defended the NXT title, roll up there,
two count.
He's successfully defended the NXT title against Pete Dune at Survivor Series,
24 hours after being dropped from the top of WarGames cage by the avalanche air way
crash of Tommaso Ciampa.
>> This man, isn't joking when he says he's the greatest champion of all time,
he all works it up.
>> When it comes to Finn Balor one of the advantages I think Balor has on Cole is
the speed advantage.
We have seen Balor being faster than a caffeinated hummingbird, but
you know, that Cole, the savant-like strategy, ever the opportunist.
>> Well, that's strategy, he just took an opportunity right there,
getting that, a strong forearm right to the jaw of Finn Balor.
>> Both of these men jockeying for position,
want nothing more than to join the ranks of icons.
>> Sunset flip- >> Into that basement drop kick and
there's Balor goes for the early pin-fall attempt and
now bars the left arm of Adam Cole, and
adding to the leverage by putting the shin across the back of the champion.
>> It'll be very difficult for Cole here to get off of his chest.
We saw an example there of the speed that you mentioned earlier was a sunset flip
attempt, but the momentum that Balor caught in it.
>> And there is knife edge shot by Finn Balor.
Both of them have had illustrious careers.
In fact, at various points in their career they were both members of the same club in
the Land of the Rising Sun.
But now they're in the preeminent fight club, the NXT arena,
battling for the NXT Championship.
>> So much worldly experience,
international experience with both of these individual's cautious offense.
>> Basement drop kick to the back of the neck.
Bálor with the side press, hooks a leg, and
Bálor just one count away from becoming a two-time NXT Champ.
>> Balor is been so calculated since coming back to NXT.
Very cautious not to make a mistake.
>> The vicious, brutal, heinous attack on Johnny Gargano.
Putting Johnny Wrestling on the shelf and snapping Johnny Gargano's
record TakeOver streak of 15 consecutive TakeOver appearances.
And on the birthday of WWE Hall of Fame, Stone Cold Steve Austin,
Bálor trying to stop a mud hole through Paul.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> And a dropkick through the web shins,
Cole to the barricade and Finn Bálor firing on all cylinders.
Remember he says everyone's playing checkers, he's playing chess.
He thinks tonight will be checkmate.
>> But we talk about the timing of Adam Cole, making metronomes jealous and
we saw and illustrative point right there Nigel.
>> Perfect opportunity taken perfectly there by Adam Cole capitalizing and
now of course, n the outside, Cole can't lose the title on the outside.
As we take a look, look at there, the impact to the knee,
just changing the momentum 190 degrees in this match-up.
>> Timing is such an important ingredient, Beth,
as we have the hangman's neck breaker from Adam Cole.
>> Took the words out of my mouth.
More reaction time, reaction time, that's what gave Cole the edge in a situation,
now he's gonna get a little retribution.
>> Full mount by Cole, ground and pound on the side of Finn Bálor's head and
utilizing that right hand is show casing the fact that it's nearly a 100%,
it's still taped up, but has suffered from wrist problems.
And how can you blame him, we talk about the durability,
snap suplex into the cover, and the kick out.
But Adam Cole like I say I can't remember any superstar having had
the one that he has had this year especially in November.
>> It's been incredible indeed, Adam Cole, he's been so close, tenacity and
the training that all of the superstars in NXT undergo.
>> Adam Cole, of course, looking up to none other than the Heartbreak Kid,
Shawn Michaels, who was Mr. Big Match, Mr. Wrestlemania.
Well, Adam Cole's made the most competitive huge opportunities.
And now, again, grounding Finn Balor, slowing down the pace.
And this again, speaks to Cole's high grade IQ, Beth.
>> This is Cole's wheelhouse, wearing down his opponent piece by piece.
Leaning on Balor, trying to cut off the airway.
Here we go, bringing him back to the mat.
Cole an avid gamer, also an expert in mind games.
And let's face it, that mindful strategy has made him the leader of his league of
legends, the Undisputed Era.
Each of them with gold around their waist, as you alluded to earlier, Nigel.
>> And they will do everything to keep it that way, as Jordan Peterson says, pride
falls in love with its own creations, and tries to make them absolute.
>> And Google Jordan Peterson, kids,
as that was the counter jawbreaker by Finn Bálor.
Bálor comes of the ropes and again.
>> And again.
>> Great timing, the counter by Adam Cole taking out the left knee of Finn Bálor.
>> Pinpoint precision,
the exact same knee that was damaged on the apron earlier in the match-up.
>> And neutralizing that speed from Finn Bálor.
>> There was a time when Adam Cole thought that Finn Bálor might become the fifth
member of Undisputed Era.
Bálor put that to a stop early, and now has earned the right to vanquish Cole for
the championship.
>> Bálor has made it clear, he stands alone and needs no man.
>> Cover by Cole, back press, and
interesting that Cole continues to target the neck of Finn Balor.
>> Absolutely working on the neck.
But of course the damage to the knee as well will mean Balor will have to think
twice about attempting the Coup de Grace.
>> Well, you kill the head, the body will follow.
And Adam Cole doing a good job to just put the squeeze on Finn Balor.
>> Absolutely, and
wearing down the neck may lend itself to a Panama Sunrise down the line.
[NOISE] >> Or the Last Shot for that matter.
Cole is certainly weakening his opponent in more than one way.
>> Cole nominated for Male Competitor of the Year, Overall Competitor of the Year,
and rivalry of the year with the aforementioned Johnny Gargano, bridge and
the shoulder is down for a two count.
And what a reversal there by Adam Cole again,
stopping Finn Balor dead in his tracks.
>> Just see how good Adam Cole is.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> NXT Universe
seemly unimpressed, but hold on.
>> Good counter by Finn Balor, and
explodes out of the corner with that forearm smash, reversal on the Irish whip.
And speaking of Irish, there's Finn Balor,
looking to add his name again, to the record books here in NXT.
>> Down with the action.
>> Cover by Balor, do we have a new champion?
No, the resilient Adam Cole kicks out again.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> But Finn Balor now is back in
the driver's seat in this match >> You can see Balor
still clutching that knee from damage earlier in the match by Cole
>> Finn Balor's list of accolades as long
as the day as inaugural Universal Champion,
multiple time Intercontinental Champion, but
he is back here in NXT once again to plant his flag make his future his past.
[NOISE] >> Both of these men have called
themselves the greatest NXT Champion of all time.
[NOISE] >> Again, with that knife edge chop to
the sternum, trying to burst the blood vessels in the chest of Adam Cole.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> And it's lighting up Finn Bálor.
>> Side headlock being employed by the challenger, reversal, and
the back stabber by Cole.
Will it be enough to retain the title?
>> One, two.
>> No.
>> Just getting out there.
But look unabated Adam Cole continues with the the offense.
Great escape and bang, knees to the previously damaged neck
with a hook of the leg making more energy expended from Finn Bálor.
>> Take a look at this Adam Cole wasting no time.
[NOISE] >> What a reversaly by Cole,
the Insiguri after breaking the waist lock.
And there's a Sling Blade by Finn Bálor,
slinging himself back into the dominant position.
But again the timing, the super kick by Cole, cover.
And how did Finn Bálor, how did Finn Bálor have enough to
escape after taking that super kick flush in the face?
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Wow indeed, take a look here,
the Sling Blade lands,but with Bálor poised to strike instead,
an absolute perfectly timed super kick upside the jaw somehow Bálor stayed in it.
>> Adam Cole can waste no time.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> All the way up.
[NOISE] >> And
both countering their suplex attempts effectively.
Cole firing off a forearm, and now Balor counters and
it's devolving now into a striking affair.
Who do you give the advantage to here Nigel?
>> I think it's a pick, if it's 50/50.
There's one for Cole, there's another one.
>> There's the Pele kick, the kick.
>> Cover. >> Stunned the NXT Universe, but
Cole parsimoniously falls on the, Holy Molly.
Adam Cole, after taking that Pele Kick, still almost retained the title.
>> It had to be just reflex didn't it?
Two incredible kicks from Adam Cole.
Let's take a look here, I think this was the second one,
that landed, just reflex, Pele kick, he goes straight down and
somehow while very serendipitously lands on top, gets a pin through attempt.
>> Remember, it was the Pele kick heard around the world when Finn Balor attacked
and Johnny Gargano, shocking, sending reverberations throughout the NXT fateful.
NXT Championship match between the champion, Adam Paul Finn Balor,
the number one contender, Balor looking to become up to champion,
three match, living up to it to Philly.
>> And you could see the rage written all over both of these men's faces.
>> Adam Cole lookin for that Panama Sunrise countered by Finn Balor,
looking for the 1916.
Reversal by Cole, Oshi Goroshi by the champion, will it be enough?
>> One, two- >> [APPLAUSE]
>> But it was very close,
and while there is a little bit of frustration, the beginnings of despair on
the face of Adam Cole, he nonetheless has to put forward.
>> Cole's trilogy with Johnny Gargano.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> The NXT faithful exhorting Finn Balor,
but Cole's trilogy with Johnny Gargano this year being hailed as some of
the greatest matches not only in NXT, but WWE history.
>> Hold on.
>> And Balor with the double foot stomp,
a prelude to what has been his patented maneuver, the Coup De Grace.
But Balor nursing that left leg injury.
>> And the damage early on, >> John Woo Dropkick.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Again, Balor going to that knee.
But how about the chest of Adam Cole caved in with a huge kick?
>> And Finn Balor looking to achieve the highest of highs here again
at the NXT arena.
But again, Cole able to short circuit his momentum.
>> Finn Balor clattering to the outside off the apron.
>> Cole in a great spot here.
>> Mauro, you mentioned before,
Cole can't lose the NXT title the outside as the official now starts the count.
>> Talked about how many amazing matches Adam Cole has been in here in NXT as
Balor on the, and Cole breaks the count.
>> What a fighting champion Adam Cole is.
>> What an arrogant maneuver, how arrogant.
>> That could come back to cost him.
Adam Cole on the outside, and there's a back body drop on that
thin protective covering of the concrete here at the NXT arena.
Finn Balor firing, and the John Woo dropkick sends Cole
into the barrier wiping out the front row.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Coup de Grace.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> No, the knee gave way.
>> The Last Shot by Cole.
Adam Cole with the Last Shot.
>> One, two.
>> Cole will go into the New Year NXT, no.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> Look here the height, but
the knee gave in and set up, bang, for the Last Shot.
Cole has beaten so many competitors but somehow Balor, still in this.
>> When you talk about some of the greatest matches in NXT history,
Finn Balor, Kevin Owens at TakeOver Brooklyn in 2015 in an NXT title
Ladder Match, that was awesome.
This is awesome.
>> This is awesome.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> This is awesome.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Wait a second.
>> Uh-oh.
>> In his right foot again, perhaps.
>> Exposing the bone of the knee.
>> And what a metaphor here- >> Wow,
that clothesline turning Cole inside out.
And the John Woo dropkick sends Cole back of his head,
hitting that bottom turnbuckle.
Balor wasting little time.
The Prince looking to become king once again.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Coup de Grace connects.
[NOISE] >> Trying for the-
>> My God.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> What's Bálor seen?
>> Holy Johnny wrestling is back.
And on the anniversary of the release of the Nutcracker,
Cole with his own version of the Nutcracker, followed by the Last Shot.
>> One, two, three >> [SOUND] Adam Cole retains the NXT
championship >> Here is the winner and
still the NXT Champion, Adam Cole.
[MUSIC]
>> We will not bury the lead another hard spot title
defense by Adam Cole and what was an epic encounter.
But Johnny Gargano has he returned to NXT arena for the first time since being
put on the injured list with a neck injury courtesy of Finn Balor.
[MUSIC]
>> Look at Gargano perhaps by the look of it,
he's not done >> My God
[MUSIC]
>> Wait a second, >> [APPLAUSE]
>> No, no, this does not look good for
Finn Balor.
>> Gargano looking his intentions very clear.
[MUSIC]
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> Finn Bálor trying to retreat, but
gets way lay by Johnny Gageno and his friend, the chair.
And Johnny Gargano looking to,exact revenge on Finn Balor.
Remember Johnny Gageno prides himself in being Johnny TakeOver and
Balor caused Gargano to miss out on his first TakeOver
in 15- >> Come on.
>> Wow. >> And boy it's leaving out a puppeteer..
>> Not enough.
[NOISE] >> Gargano has to be done.
>> You know what they say about payback.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> It's a chair.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Well,
Finn Bálor's been saying that his future will be his past, but tonight,
the ghost of Bálor's past has finally come back to exact revenge.
>> [APPLAUSE]