6 Biggest Takeaways From NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day

2. Finn Balor Defeats Pete Dunne To Retain NXT Championship

The main event featured the hard-hitting bout between Finn Balor and Pete Dunne for the pivotal NXT Championship.

This match was everything that fans expected. It was sharp, destructive, violent action to cap of another spectacular TakeOver event.

Dunne went for the fingers. Balor stomped Dunne like Mario to a Goomba. They both kicked each other’s heads in like they were jelly and wouldn’t feel the damage in the morning. ‘The Prince’ even ripped the mouthguard away from Dunne to increase the pain around his skull… which wasn’t very hygiene-friendly.

This was the intense, dramatic match that fans were eager to watch between the two. Definitely match of the night and even a very early match of the year contender.

Finally, Finn Balor walked away the victor and still the triumphant NXT Champion. But oh no, there are still five minutes left of the show… NXT love to have something drastic go down in tight time restraints. What is going to happen next?!

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1. Adam Cole Shocks The System

As Vengeance Day approached its conclusion, NXT Tag Team Champions Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan came out to ambush the bruised Finn Balor.

Dunne assisted in the beatdown, emphasising that he is not finished with the NXT Champion.

Therefore, the Undisputed ERA had to come out and make the save. As Cole, O’Reilly and Strong entered the ring, Balor was no longer outnumbered and ready to bring the fight back to the ambushers.

With Balor standing next to the other ERA boys, it looked like a closing shot of Balor joining the faction. This would have been a wholesome ending to the show with many exciting directions to head towards.

On the other hand, there was always the possibility that Pat McAfee would make his presence felt and ruin the closing picture, setting him up as the most arrogant heel on the roster.

Or they could just have Adam Cole superkick Finn Balor and then Kyle O’Reilly to disband from the Undisputed ERA. What?!?!

NXT is notorious for its closing logo swerve with previous examples seeing Kevin Owens turn against Sami Zayn or Tommaso Ciampa betraying Johnny Gargano.

It is an effective technique as it keeps fans watching till the second the show goes off the air. Plus, it gives an idea of the future direction of the brand.

Both Owens’ and Ciampa’s turns headlined Wednesday nights for the entirety of the feud. We are now eagerly awaiting Kyle O’Reilly’s response to this backstab and the eventual match between the two will be excellent.

Let’s hope it leads to Kyle O’Reilly finally winning the NXT Championship in a huge ceremonial moment. Lastly, it is intriguing to see where Strong and Fish fit into this.

This Valentine’s Day heartbreak has made this week’s NXT even more engaging as we will surely get some answers to a moment that will be spoken of for years to come.

• TakeOver: Vengeance Day
• Undisputed Era
• Finn Balor
• nxt

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