Karrion Kross has been out of control for far too long. Samoa Joe came back to NXT as an enforcer for General Manager William Regal, but even that wasn’t enough. Kross would go too far when he choked out Samoa Joe after defending the NXT Championship against Johnny Gargano, and then later William Regal. Samoa Joe would resign from his enforcer role, be reinstated as an active competitor, and put into a match with Karrion Kross. This will be Joe’s first match since February 10th, 2020, and first singles match since 2019. Can this NXT Legend put an end to Kross and his reign of terror?
Karrion Kross Gets Blasted By The NXT Fans
Earlier in the night, William Regal claimed that as GM he had to be impartial, but really he just wants Samoa Joe to kick the ass of Karrion Kross. There was some speculation on if Joe is ready to come back right into a World Championship level, but you’d be a fool to doubt someone like him. He’s a well seasoned veteran who had weeks to get ready, and should prove to have minimal ring rust.
A notable absence was Scarlett during the entrance of Karrion Kross, a growing trend as of late. The crowd would even chant ‘We Want Scarlett” while Kross did his best to look intimidating. However, the crowd was truly having none of it, and neither was Samoa Joe. The mystique has been dampened, intimidation has failed, and now it’s time to rely on skill between the ropes.
A big “Joe” chant would break out, as they’d circle the ring to start this match. Kross threw a testing kick to the leg of Joe, before Joe would get Kross into the corner for some big strikes. Kross turned it around before taking a massive enziguri and hitting the floor. A snapmare to the floor would be followed by a chop to the back and an attempt at the rear naked choke.
Kross would get the ropes and break it with a Doomsday Saito and a forearm smash to the back of the neck. Joe rolled to the outside, where Kross followed and pulled Joe back into the ring. A big boot to the face and another back suplex got a two count before Kross applied an ankle lock.
Samoa Joe Busts Out Old Reliable To Make History
Joe would be able to counter the hold and send Kross to the outside, before hitting the suicide elbow strike to send Kross right into the barricade. Back in the ring, Kross would hit some strikes in the corner before an exploder suplex for a two count. He’d dash into an Uranage attempt, countering out before Joe nailed a snap powerslam.
Joe would hit a powerbomb, and got right into an STF as Kross kicked out. Moving into the crossface, Kross would fight to get his foot on the bottom rope. Kross would hit a knee strike before some elbows to the back of the head of Joe, and hit a DDT for a two count. Joe came back with a Belly to Belly Suplex, before peppering Kross with some strikes. The inverted atomic drop, big boot and senton combo would land, but only got a two count.
The second senton hit the back of Kross, before he’d look for the Coquina Clutch. Joe brought him down to the mat, and all he needed to do was wrap his legs around and this was over. Kross would slip out into the Kross Jacket, trying to put Joe to sleep. Joe would spring to life, and break the Kross Jacket before taking a forearm to the back of the head. Kross would look for a second and take the Uranage, before being caught on the top rope and taken down with the Muscle Buster for the win! We have our first ever three time NXT Champion!
This was a hard hitting match, but on the same card as WALTER vs. Dragunov, who did the same style much better? It didn’t quite hit the mark. Kross was being blasted by the crowd, and Joe was a few steps slow. That said, it told a solid story and was a fine main event level match. The return of the muscle buster alone was a big moment. Match Rating: 3.5/5 (*** 1/2)
Will Samoa Joe reign long as NXT Champion? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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