The NXT North American Championship is one of great prestige despite being young. With a decorated history of champions, the past still pales in comparrison to current champion Keith Lee. After being the one to end the total control of Undisputed Era when he took the belt from Roderick Strong, he has notched two big diffences, one against Dominic Dijakovic at NXT Takeover Portland, and another on NXT TV against Cameron Grimes. It would be after the match with Grimes that Damien Priest would hit Lee in the back with a night stick, prompting Dijakovic to make the save. A confused and woozy Lee would think Dijakovic was the attacker, and laid him out. This has escalted into a Triple Threat match for the title, one that was planned for NXT Takeover Tampa.
Despite this match taking place in an empty Full Sail University; it was still going to be an instant classic. The empty arena just meant these three giants could have nothing in their way as they wage war, and that every strike would echo. Even without a crowd to greet him, Keith Lee still walked in with all the swagger of a champion.
Bask In The Glory Of The First NXT Takeover Match
Things got started quick in this match, as Priest went for a huge spin kick and was caught by Lee, making him look like a small child. Strikes would be thrown and dodged, before all three men connected with kicks at once. When action came back from commercial, Priest & Dijakovic were clashing with Lee on the outside. Heavy strikes were being thrown by Priest in the corner, before Dijakovic lifted him off above his head. Priest would wiggle out into a DDT, with Lee breaking the pin up before dumping Priest to the apron. Lee would attempt a deadlift superplex from the apron, but would be stopped. They battled on the top rope, but Dijakovic came from behind to hoist Lee on his shoulders, as he and Priest performed a Doomsday Device on Lee.
Once everyone was back to a vertical base, Dijakovic and Lee continued their alliance as they both hit him with strikes before doing a double chokeslam. They would continue their solo battle with Lee on the outside, but noticing Lee getting up; Priest would do a Crucifix Bomb to Dijakovic over the top rope onto Lee, who unlike Austin Theory caught his opponent. Lee would attempt a backdrop on the outside as Dijakovic fought, giving Priest time to perform a flipping senton over the top.
Back in the ring after another commercial break, we would see Dijakovic attempt a moonsault, only to be dodged by Priest who hit a huge sit out chokeslam for a near fall. Dijakovic wold respond with one of his own, only to be caught in a dragon sleeper, which is the prelude to The Reckoning from Priest. Fighting out, Dijakovic would work Priest into a suplex position to throw him aside, but Priest would be caught by Lee in powerbomb position. He would swing Priests head into the gut of Dijakovic, dropping him to his hands & knees as he would Powerbomb Priest onto his back four times before hitting Priest with the spirit bomb. Dijakovic had just enough left to break up the pin.
What Would It Take To End This Match?
Lee would attempt to remove Dijakovic again with a huge spinebuster, to focus in on Damien Priest. He would charge into the corner, but Lee countered with a spin kick to the hea, and would set Lee up on the top rope. Priest would attempt a avalance frankensteiner, but Lee blocked it and attempted a top rope Spirit Bomb, but Priest managed to hit his move. With Lee in the middle of the ring, Dijakovic would dive in from off screen with a huge diving elbow drop. Dijakovic and Priest would both go for spin kicks and connect, with both collapsing onto Lee, who kicked out from a double pin.
Priest and Dijakovic would fight on the apron, before being stunned by Lee’s Grizzly magnum chest chop. He would set up for a double superplex, but instead would be thrown back to the middle of ring. Dijakovic would attempt to hit a Sprial Tap for the win, but Lee kicked out at two. Damien Priest grabbed his night stick, taking advantage of the No DQ nature of the match but Dijakovic evaded, hit Feast Your Eyes and Lee would then Pounce Priest out of the ring, and the match. Lee would then hit Dijakovic with Big Bang Catasrophe, and retain his championship. This match truly was a Takeover match, and despite two commercial breaks was incredible.
Who Can Stop Keith Lee?
With this now being his third successful defense of the championship, Keith Lee continues to look unstoppable. He has taken out two of the biggest threats in Dijakovic and Priest, but many more are looking for a shot. Killian Dain has been lobbying for a shot, Dexter Lumis has looked threatening, KUSHIDA has built momenteum, and Killer Kross is coming. Keith Lee can bask in the glory of his championship for now, but the next challenger won’t be far behind. Who should challenge Keith Lee next? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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