This is a dream match for many, but if Gargano had his way, KUSHIDA would be indefinitely suspended from WWE. In Gargano’s eyes, KUSHIDA viciously attacked him, and broke his arm so badly that he couldn’t even walk afterwards! Gargano was in a wheelchair for this past week’s episode of NXT, and we all know he hates wheels.
William Regal & KUSHIDA exposed his injury as a fraud, and we will get this highly anticipated match for the NXT North American Championship tonight. We’ve seen these two match up in tag team matches over the past month, and their chemistry is clear. Dexter Lumis should take care of Austin Theory, giving us a fair fight between two of the best in the world, in a first time singles meeting.
KUSHIDA Starts To Pick The Arm Apart
The Way would join Gargano to the ring, but Theory was abducted early. Hartwell & LeRae made their way to the back to help find him, as we got into the ring introductions. Gargano hit a shoulder tackle to start, but KUSHIDA nearly got the hoverboard lock early. We got a rope break, but Gargano took KUSHIDA to the mat with a single leg, before they’d battle for control.
KUSHIDA would get on top of Gargano, who fought off the Hoverboard Lock attempt, and got a wrist lock. This hold didn’t last, as KUSHIDA outwrestled Gargano and took him down with a front headlock, and launched knee strikes when able before slipping around into a crossface attempt. The pace picked up, as KUSHIDA went for a running hurricanrana, Gargano countering. KUSHIDA was able to attempt a Gargano Escape, before this one turned into a brawl.
Gargano sent KUSHIDA to the outside, nailed the superkick off the apron, before throwing him into the steel steps. KUSHIDA got a cross armbreaker on the floor, and almost cost himself the match with a countout. He’d break the count, and nail a Chickenwing Suplex on the floor, attacking the arm further.
Johnny Gargano Takes Control
Back in the ring, Gargano had that arm kicked as he held onto the rope, before having his shoulder stomped on the mat. Gargano blocked the running armbreaker, sent KUSHIDA over the ropes and nailed a neckbreaker off the middle rope. Back in control, Gargano would attack KUSHIDA and use the apron as a weapon. He’d take KUSHIDA in the ring, hit a snap suplex, but wouldn’t even get a one count.
Another neckbreaker attempt was countered, but Gargano hit a front suplex slam. KUSHIDA had his arm kicked, Gargano giving him a taste of his own medicine. Slowing this one back down, Gargano applied a Stretch Plum, but only had one good arm. KUSHIDA was able to counter into an Octopus Stretch, Gargano moving into a pinfall. They’d trade near falls, before a double clothesline sent both men to the mat.
Back to his feet first, KUSHIDA hit the hip toss into a dropkick, before stomping Gargano’s face into the mat. Gargano would avoid the Chickenwing Suplex, but take a German Suplex & Buzzsaw Kick. KUSHIDA took a lariat to the back of the head, but countered the slingshot spear into the Chickenwing Suplex for an incredibly close fall.
Gargano got an enziguri after fleeing to the apron, before taking a punch right to the jaw. KUSHIDA nailed the jumping armbreaker into the steel post, before wanting a Chickenwing Superplex. Gargano broke it, but was stuck on the top rope, KUSHIDA setting up the Hoverboard Lock. However, Gargano Countered into LeRae’s finisher, and nailed a DDT after holding on, getting a two count.
Fighting Until The Very End
KUSHIDA would dodge the Gargano escape set up, before they’d fight over the submission on the mat. The Cross Armbreaker forced Gargano to counter into a pinfall before another double clothesline. They’d brawl to their feet and trade strikes. Gargano caught the springboard elbow into a russian leg sweep right into Gargano Escape. The injured left arm weakened the hold, and KUSHIDA would attack that arm and move into the Hoverboard Lock.
Gargano broke the hold but nearly got caught with the European Clutch. A superkick was met by the straight right hand, before Gargano hit the Lawn Dart into the corner. KUSHIDA came back with a Chickenwing Suplex into the corner, before taking Gargano up top, taking him down with a cross breaker. Gargano somehow stopped himself from tapping out, showing his big match resilience and getting the ropes.
KUSHIDA got the Hoverboard lock, and they slipped to the outside, letting Gargano drive him into the barricade. He’d rest on the ramp, letting KUSHIDA run in with the kick. The Hoverboard lock was applied, but Gargano used the ropes to break the hold and send KUSHIDA outside. One Final Beat on the ramp would hit flush, and one more in the ring let Gargano retain his championship.
These two left it all in the ring. KUSHIDA has finally hit his stride in NXT, and Gargano always delivers at Takeover. This was always going to be a fantastic match, and The Way being removed from the situation let it flourish. They left it all in the ring, and proved they’re two of the best wrestlers in the world today. Match Rating: 4.5/5 (**** ½)
Who will step up to Gargano next? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get TheOvertimer’s Hottest Stories, Breaking News and Special Features in your email, CLICK HERE!
Remember to stay up to date with the latest news on TheOvertimer. Don’t forget to visit Gamestingr for great videos, news, and gameplay!