NXT Takeover 31 Results: Kyle O’Reilly vs. Finn Balor [NXT Championship Match]

Despite this show being rushed in it’s build, they pulled out a naturally huge main event with the greatest of ease. On one side, we have the new NXT Champion in his second reign, Finn Balor. He was one of the biggest stars in NXT history, and his return to the brand has led him back to championship gold. On the other side, we have the greatest tag team wrestler in NXT history in Kyle O’Reilly, who is just as deadly without someone in his corner.

With Undisputed Era seeing him off, Kyle O’Reilly stepped into the ring for the biggest match of his career with all his usual swagger. He’s not intimidated, he was made for this match. But so was Finn Balor, the man NXT was built off of. Big matches in the past meant The Demon came out, but The Prince doesn’t need that. He’s NXT Champion, and that makes it the most important title in all of WWE. The stage was set, the performers were ready, all the ingredients for another NXT Takeover classic.

The Feeling Out Process Begins

They’d start this match cautious, and get into some grappling. This a first time match, they need to feel each other out. On the mat, O’Reilly is the master, and Balor quickly learned this, but a solid headlock would catch O’Reilly and let Balor control the pace of the match early on. O’Reilly shoved him off, only to be taken down by a shoulder block and he’d be right back in. Next, O’Reilly tried for the backdrop to break the hold, but again it wouldn’t be released.

Finally, he’d go for a kneebreaker, and Balor broke the hold for a sunset flip before almost ending up in an armbar. O’Reilly would take control, putting his Brazlian Ju-Jitsu skills to work. The left arm was the target, and O’Reilly was precise with strikes and submissions, wearing Balor down. Balor slipped out and tried to grab that effective headlock, but ended up back on the mat with his arm caught, back to playing defense. O’Reilly would lose Balor for a second, and a front dropkick would catch O’Reilly between the eyes, stunning him.

Balor would grab an armbar of his own, and mock O’Reilly with some air guitar before throwing his weight down on the arm. He’d then apply a hammerlock, showing that he’s just as deadly on the mat, you don’t leave the NJPW dojo system without those skills. Letting O’Reilly go, he’d nail some stiff chops and kicks, a deadly series of attacks.

Taking Kyle O’Reillys Breath Away

O’Reilly would come back with a knee to the stomach and a pop up kick, before throwing a flurry of strikes at Balor, revenge for earlier He’d go back to the elbow, before hitting two double underhook suplexes and a DDT, getting a near fall. O’Reilly set up a Regal-plex, and Balor fought out only to be battered with some hard strikes, only to come back to a hard spin kick to the gut, knocking the wind out of O’Reilly. Balor wouldn’t give him time to catch his breath either, being relentless.

O’Reilly would be thrown chest first into the corner, before more strikes to the midsection, clearly being effective. A modified Camel Clutch would be applied until Balor dropped an elbow, but he’d give O’Reilly some time to recover only to apply an Abdominal Stretch in the middle of the ring. O’Reilly got the hip toss to get him some space, hit a running knee and a Regalplex, clearly getting his breath back a bit.

Balor would hit the Final Cut in the middle of the ring, getting another near fall and taking control again. The slingblade would connect, and the John Woo dropkick would be set up, but a dropkick to the knee would send Balor to the mat! Balor came back with an Abdominal Stretch, only to be caught with a kneebreaker. O’Reilly tried for the kneebar, but ended up in a sharpshooter, and with blood pouring out of his mouth he’d get to the rope to break the hold.

Trying To Take Finn Balor’s Leg Off

Balor would be back on the offensive with some kicks to the ribs, as O’Reilly struggled to his feet. In the corner, O’Reilly would catch the boot of Balor and come back with some strikes. He’d take a Pele Kick, bounce off the bottom rope and come back with the lariat, forcing a double down. O’Reilly would be first back to his feet, and send a kick to the chest of Balor. A second kick would be caught, and Balor slapped him hard, but O’Reilly got a guillotine choke, before letting Balor go for a knee strike in a brainbuster. The amrbar would be attempted, and grabbed the knee as well before focusing on the arm.

Balor would just avoid the full extension, and get right back to the offensive hitting the Reverse 1916 for a near fall. O’Reilly would be in perfect position for the Coup De Grace, but got up to knock Balor down and on the top rope, before hitting a series of Dragon Screws on the left knee. The leg was stuck in the middle rope, and a diving knee drop crushed Balor, before O’Reilly went up top and dropped the knee on Balors left knee.

A heel hook would be applied, and Balor had to fight to survive, and try to kick his way out, the other leg being trapped too. Balor would throw forearms, but O’Reilly had him trapped in the middle of the ring, and Balor scratched and crawled to that rope to break the hold. Both men were gassed, but this one wasn’t over.

An Epic Battle Needs To End Eventually

O’Reilly came in with some kicks, and Balor would play possum with the knee, before hitting a quick double foot stomp to the injured gut. Balor tried to set up the dropkick, O’Reilly came in with a knee into a suplex, but Balor was right back in with another foot stomp before they collapsed. Balor was first back up, and nailed the Coup De Grace for the win, in a truly epic match.

After this match, Kyle O’Reilly is an NXT main eventer, a star born, bringing us the best NXT match of the year with Finn Balor. For one week of build, this match was excellent due to the sheer talent within the ring. These men are the peak of the brand, and no one is leaving this one healthy. The story was told perfectly, both men sold this one like the war it was, action was crisp, and it was as close as perfect as you can get. Match Rating: 5/5 (*****)

After the dust settled, Balor would extend the hand to O’Reilly and help him to his feet, a sign of respect that was earned in this match. At ringside, Ridge Holland had Adam Cole over his shoulder and dumped him to the ringside area, as Undisputed Era came to check on their broken and beaten leader.

What will come next after Ridge Holland’s apparent attack on Adam Cole? Is Kyle O’Reilly going to be a huge singles star for NXT going forward? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.

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