NXT TakeOver XXX: Karrion Kross wins NXT championship

Karrion Kross walked into NXT championship as the most dangerous man in NXT and left with the title

The 30th edition on NXT TakeOver came to fans live from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Titles were on the line and major rivalries were meant to be closed out across the card. With a major NXT title match at the top of the card, there was a lot to look forward to in tonight’s events.

The Keith Lee versus Karrion Kross feud has not included any physicality between them, but it was clear that violence was going to ensue after weeks of build. And violence is exactly what they delivered.

Lee came out aggressive early, using his strength to flatten Kross and force him outside the ring. Lee broke the plexiglass with his fist and created an opening for Kross to begin attacking Lee’s arm. Kross was in control for much of this match, having all the answers to counter the champion’s power. He would even kick out of the Spirit Bomb, a move that has ended so many other wrestlers before him. But when Kross hit the Saito Suplex from the second rope, Lee could not muster up the energy to escape as Kross pinned him to become the new NXT champion.

Io Shirai has been a dominant NXT women’s champion. That position was threated by Dakota Kai, who was not only a formidable challenger on her own but came with Raquel Gonzalez by her side. Shirai was facing a two-on-one situation for most of this match, but Kai could not put away the champion. Gonzalez even stepped in to help Kai, landing a massive one-handed powerbomb on the champion. Shirai needed to take to the skies twice to take out Kai, but after she landed the second moonsault she picked up the victory to retain her title.

For the last few years, Pat McAfee has irked Adam Cole every opportunity he could. The former football player ended up facing the former NXT champion in a singles match at NXT TakeOver XXX. McAfee was not as outclassed as one would think in his first match. He landed several big moves, like a senton splash onto a group outside and a super-plex from the top rope. McAfee put up a fight that none really expected, but he ate the Panama City Sunrise and was pinned in the middle of the ring.

Damian Priest wins NXT North American title

Velveteen Dream, Bronson Reed, Damian Priest, Cameron Grimes, and Johnny Gargano faced each other in a ladder match to become the newest NXT North American champion. This match was filled with some of the high spots that have become the usual within ladder matches, but even new moments as well. Reed leapt off the top of the ladder with Candice LeRae hanging from his back and splashed her husband Gargano below. Dream was vaulted from the top of the ladder, off the ropes, over the barricade and throw a table outside. By the time all the madness ended, it was Priest who climbed to the top to grab the belt and become the new NXT North American champion.

Timothy Thatcher and Finn Balor had unfinished business at NXT TakeOver XXX. In the last few weeks, they have attacked each other during and after matches, keeping them out of the NXT North American ladder match. This came to ahead in a one-on-one match better the two at TakeOver.

This match was a grappler’s love fest as Balor tried to met Thatcher in his game. That did not play well for the former NXT champion who was outmaneuvered in every position. With Thatcher gaining momentum and stopping Balor in every position, Balor had to switch gears and pick up the pace. This seemed to work until he came off the top rope and tweaked his knee for the second time. Thatcher continued to keep Balor grounded, but he was able to reverse the situation to hit the double stomp off the top and the 1916 for the victory.

NXT TakeOver XXX Results

• Breezango defeated Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch and Legado del Fantasma via pin fall
• Finn Balor defeated Timothy Thatcher via pin fall
• Damian Priest wins the NXT North American title in a five-man ladder match
• Adam Cole defeated Pat McAfee via pin fall
• Io Shirai defeated Dakota Kia to retain the NXT women’s championship
• Karrion Kross defeated Keith Lee to become the NXT champion