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Johnny Gargano is the new NXT Champion after outlasting Adam Cole in a 2-out-of-3 falls match at NXT TakeOver New York Friday night, capping an outstanding night of in-ring action.
After taking out the Undisputed Era at ringside, Gargano got hit with two Cole superkicks and the Last Shot but kicked out at two. Another Last Shot attempt missed and Gargano clamped on the Gargano Escape. Cole almost made the ropes, but Gargano rolled both men over and kept the Escape tight for the tapout in the third and final fall to send the Barclays Center into a euphoric state.
With the win, Gargano becomes the first-ever NXT Triple Crown winner (main title, North American title, tag team titles). The title was vacated after Tommaso Ciampa had to undergo neck surgery.
The other title change was a historic one as WALTER defeated Pete Dunne, the longest reigning current champion in the entire company, to become the NXT UK Champion in a hard hitting, spectacular match.
The end came when WALTER gave Dunne a powerbomb off the top rope after Dunne had a triangle locked on. WALTER then hit a big splash off the top to get the pin after a long and grueling affair, ending Dunne’s 685-day run as titleholder.
In the three other title matches:
– Shayna Baszler retained her NXT women’s title by submitting Bianca Belair with a rear naked choke in a fatal four way that also featured Kairi Sane and Io Shirai.
– The War Raiders retained their NXT tag team titles by fending off Ricochet and Aleister Black in the show opener, effectively putting an end to the duo’s NXT run.
– Velveteen Dream defeated Matt Riddle via pinfall to retain his North American title in another sensational match.
If you missed the show, catch up here.
