After Karrion Kross was able to drop Finn Balor for a second time last week on NXT, it became time for Kross to get a new challenger. Three other men were looking for a chance to prove themselves against Kross, which made the job of William Regal even easier. He would just take Johnny Gargano, Pete Dunne & Kyle O’Reilly and put them in a high stakes triple threat match.
Whoever is able to get the fall will have truly earned this shot at Kross, as these are three of NXT’s best. Oney Lorcan & Austin Theory are banned from ringside in this one, so Dunne & Gargano don’t get help.
Fast Paced Start To This #1 Contenders Clash
As soon as the bell rang, O’Reilly would get a kick on Dunne before going after Gargano. O’Reilly looked to control the ring and would be successful until Dunne nailed a forearm smash to the face. Dunne went after the left arm and hand of O’Reilly, bending it in unnatural ways. Gargano got back into the ring to ensure no one taps out, and ended up in a heel hook from O’Reilly but Dunne went for an armbar on O’Reilly.
O’Reilly slipped outside, and Gargano matched up with Dunne but would get outwrestled and locked into a surfboard stretch before O’Reilly nailed a kick. Gargano took a knee strike to the stomach, and got grounded back in the middle of the ring. Dunne picked his spot and got both O’Reilly & Garganos arms, bending more fingers than ever and stomping both hands.
O’Reilly would come back with a double dragon screw, before Dunne got him in an ankle lock. Gargano would get Dunne as he slipped outside, before looking for One Final Beat on O’Reilly only to have Dunne grab his fingers. O’Reilly got another Dragon Screw on Dunne, before Gargano kicked off Dunne to hit O’Reilly with a swinging DDT.
Throughout the picture in picture break, Dunne would regain control of O’Reilly in the middle of the ring while keeping Gargano on the outside. Dunne splitting his focus would almost have O’Reilly make his comeback, but the heavy knee strikes would keep O’Reilly on the defensive. Gargano would trip up Dunne, only for O’Reilly to take him out with some signature strikes.
Adam Cole Ruins A Great Match
O’Reilly would hit a flurry of butterfly suplexes on Dunne, before a DDT to Gargano onto Dunne. Dunne went outside and O’Reilly followed with a knee strike off the apron. Gargano would finally take control again using some suicide dives, before getting O’Reilly in the ring for the slingshot spear.
Dunne would once again pick him moment and come into take control with some kicks before a powerbomb on O’Reilly. Gargano broke the pinfall up, but O’Reilly used this to gain a pinfall before Gargano broke it up fully. Dunne was sent to the outside by O’Reilly, and back in the ring O’Reilly applied a heel hook on Gargano.
Dunne broke the pin up, and wanted Bitter End on Gargano, only to take a DDT and a lawn dart. Gargano aimed Dunne at O’Reilly and nearly got the win off this smart maneuver. O’Reilly stumbled back into the ring only to get sandwiched with kicks.All three men would throw desperate strikes, and everyone ended up down on the mat.
O’Reilly looked for a guillotine choke, but Dunne grabbed him in a sleeper hold before Gargano tapped out. Gargano would send O’Reilly outside and apply the Gargano Escape, only to have his fingers snapped. Dunne nailed Bitter End, and O’Reilly broke the pinfall up with the flying knee off the top rope.
Adam Cole would show up and smack all three men with a steel chair before attacking the referee. Dunne was hit with a brainbuster, and O’Reilly & Gargano both took The Last Shot. A furious William Regal showed up with security, and after one more kick to O’Reilly, Cole was gone.
An incredible triple threat with breakneck action as expected from the three men involved. The finish leaves things up in the air however, with no winner being named. That really hurts the rating, but the action was great. Match Rating: 3.5/5 (*** 1/2)
Karrion Kross is now left without a contender. Who will rise up and challenge him? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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