It's that time of year once again - the illustrious WrestleMania weekend! For the following 72 hours, some of the very best talent in the world will look to deliver absolute stellar professional wrestling. However, one of the most hyped nights of the said weekend is NXT: Takeover, with this year it being in Tampa, Florida. We have an exceptional card here, with six high-profile matchups, two championship bouts, which should make for a highly exciting evening!

NXT Takeover: Tampa Bay Official Theme Song - "Dark On Me"

Match 1: Io Shirai v. Bianca Belair v. Dakota Kai v. Tegan Nox v. Candice LeRae v. Shotzi Blackheart - NXT Women's #1 Contender Ladder Match

Build:

Rhea Ripley is still NXT Women's Champion heading out of NXT Takeover: Portland, she has now concluded her mini-rivalry with Bianca Belair for the moment. On the first episode of NXT after Takeover, Rhea Ripley would make her way out to the entrance area with a mixture of cold and admiring glances for the champion. "Brutality" would play over the PA System, as the seemingly proud competitor storms to the ring with a microphone already by her side. She would go on to exclaim how WrestleMania season is still pumping for a good month or so, and she would love nothing more than to represent NXT on the "Grandest Stage Of Them All"! Which means she does in fact know what's in her future, defending the NXT Championship at WrestleMania 36, so these next few weeks are solely about discovering who she will share the squared circle with on April.

Following the earth-shattering news, all eyes were on the women's division knowing their involvement in this year's WrestleMania event. With this being said, on this edition of NXT, Rhea Ripley would go head-to-head against Dakota Kai in a non-title matchup. Both women would showcase their undeniable skills throughout the duration of this contest, and while Kai looked phenomenal, her opposition in the form of Rhea Ripley was too much to handle which led to the victory for the champion. Quickly after the closing bell rung, both Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez were quickly on the attack, pumbling the victor. The attack wouldn't discontinue until Dakota's former tag team partner and current rival, Tegan Nox would rush into the ring, looking to save the "Nightmare" from a brutal ambush. Unfortunately for the former, she wasn't able to get her hands on either of the aggressors before they escaped into the crowd. But the onslaught wouldn't end there, as Bianca Belair rolled in the ring, pumbling Ripley as she makes a statement that they aren't done just yet...

The following week on NXT programming, the broadcast would begin by the NXT Genera Manager, William Regal announcing a six-women tag team match between Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez, & Bianca Belair taking on the team of Rhea Ripley, Tegan Nox, & a partner of their choosing. Multiple times during the broadcast, it would be shown that both women continuously are looking for a potential partner for later that evening, until eventually they settled on Candice LeRae. Later in the night, when taking to the ring for the scheduled contest, the titantron would turn on and show a battered & bruised Candice, laying on the ground helpless.

While the reason for this was currently unknown, Shotzi Blackheart rushed to the ring, looking to replace Candice LeRae. This matchup would be a hard-hitting one, that showcased all six of these talented competitor's individual talents. However, the culmination of this ended in a controversial manner, as a low- blow to the champion, prompted by Dakota Kai gives Gonzalez the opening she needs to gain a pinfall victory over Rhea Ripley for her team. Moments after this matchup, a brawl would ensue once again but this time with all six women, now on the outside, the brawl wouldn't end until Io Shirai emerged and landed a soaring moonsault on all of the competitors!

On the go-home show to NXT Takeover: Tampa Bay, NXT General Manager William Regal made a bombshell announcement to kick off the show. Basing off of the clear hatred that these women have for eachother, and the desire to become NXT Women's Champion, there will be a six women ladder match to decide Rhea Ripley's challenger at WrestleMania 36. The following competitors will partake in this collision - Dakota Kai, Bianca Belair, Tegan Nox, Shotzi Blackheart, Io Shirai, & Candice LeRae! Upon the announcement being made, a video would proceed to play of Rhea Ripley wishing the other women luck this Saturday, but unfortunately for them it won't even matter, because at WrestleMania she will retain the NXT Women's Championship.

Match:

Looking to open the broadcast with a bang, the scheduled NXT Women's Championship #1 Contender Ladder Match kicks off the night! One-by-one, each competitor makes their way out from the backstage area and down the ramp. All with a somewhat confident look on their eyes, trying not to show the clear pressure upon their shoulders they must be feeling, especially since this contest is all about a one-way ticket to WrestleMania. Several minutes later, all six competitors would finally be inside the ring, standing in their individual areas. Once each competitor was introduced one at a time, the opening would ring, signaling the start of this crucial, but exciting contest as it's time for the showdown to finally begin.

This matchup began with all six of these women circling the ring, surveying their opposition on this night. Suddenly, Raquel Gonzalez pulls Candice LeRae out of the ring as the bell rings! Proving to be her attacker, she looks to inflict even more damage upon the California native. Back in the ring though, while the others are pre-occupied, Tegan Nox & Dakota Kai stare eachother down, their hatred for one another boils throughout their veins. A few moments later, they would begin to land some swift back-and-forth left-and-right hands, looking to gain the upperhand in this one. The fight continued, not looking to stop their attacks until Shotzi Blackheart charges Dakota Kai. Clearly helping out her new-found ally in the form of Tegan. which they would land a bone-crushing double DDT, sending Dakota down head-first onto the rough canvas.

On the other side of the ring, both Io Shirai & Bianca Belair look incredibly busy, they begin to throw hands with each other, as the former nails her opposition with a swift slap, followed by NAILING A CRUSHING BICIYCLE KNEE STRIKE! Belair grabs her nose quite quickly, as the knee must have struck right on the bridge of the nose. Back on the outside quickly, Candice LeRae is still being pounced by Gonzalez, looking to throw the former into the steel steps, CANDICE REVERSES AN IRISH WHIP, SENDING HER ATTACKER INTO THE STEPS INSTEAD! Now beginning to breath heavily, finally having the opening she has been looking for, but before entering back in the ring, she grabs a ladder that is currently positioned up-right at the ringside area. Taking it down a little slowly, once she had it in her possession, she would bring it into the ring, along with herself aswell.

Instead of positioning it in the middle of the ring, she leans it against the nearest corner, looking for something devastating no doubt. But from the corner of her right eye, IO SHIRAI RUNS AT HER, EXECUTING A SHOTGUN DROPKICK INTO THE LADDER! "The Empress Of The Sky" proving that she has no allies, and is fighting for her own personal glory. But as she turns around, she is quickly taken down to the canvas by a huge lariat by Shotzi Blackheart, but she would feel the same amount of pain with a standing dropkick executed by Bianca Belair. What a scenario thus far, but it wouldn't end there as Tegan Nox proceeded to throw her arch-rival Dakota Kai into "The E.S.T. Of WWE", which the collision sends them both to the outside. The only one standing tall at this moment is Tegan, but instead of doing the logical thing and positioning the ladder in the middle of the ring. The adrenaline was pumping, which would lead to a BEAUTIFULLY EXECUTED SUICIDE DIVE TO THE OUTSIDE, TAKING OUT BOTH BIANCA BELAIR & DAKOTA KAI!

Heading back in the ring now, Tegan looks to set up the ladder now. With everyone else down at the moment, it gives her the chance to push forward to her destiny. Positioning it in the middle of the ring now, Nox looks around her, surveying her surroundings. As she climbs up the ladder, she gets to about the fourth step before Io Shirai is able to get back on both feet, climbing up on the other side of the ladder. Once both women made it to the the top of the ladder, both proceeded to land swift shots to eachother's jaws, back-and-forth they go. This would continue until a missed forearm by Tegan Nox would lead to an opening for Shirai, as SHE LANDS A SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB OFF THE 15 FOOT LADDER! From there Dakota Kai & Bianca Belair would begin to stir, making it up to both of their knees, then entering the ring a few moments later. They notice the wounded warriors are now grounded, which would give them the incentive to send them to the outside, throwing them simultaneously though the middle rope.

Both gesturing that the work has been done, Belair would be quickly blindsided by Dakota, as a step-up kick from the latter led to Bianca falling down to her back. What ensues is an interesting combination of left-and-right hooks, looking to inflict extra damage upon her opposition. But it wouldn't last long, as Candice LeRae finally reached her feet after several minutes of being grounded, would land a running modified dropkick to her counterpart. Now with the ladder still in the upward position, looking to climb up the ladder for the first time tonight. Suddenly, behind her back, Shotzi Blackheart suddenly gets to her feet, a second wind coming over "The Ballsy Badass"... As LeRae turns around, she is met with a TIGER SUPLEX! The untamed talent screams in emotion, proving to be a true threat in this contest. But her momentum wouldn't last too long, as Shirai once again emerges in this high-stakes ladder match, this time executing a missle dropkick once Shotzi turned fully around.

Io Shirai struggles, yelling in pain as her ankle is in severe pain from landing in an awkward position. She tries to move towards the ropes, using them to make her way to her feet. But unfortunately for her, Candice rushed into the ring, taking out Io's leg, as she screams in utter agony, LeRae locks in a cross-face. With it locked in tight, Candice begins ripping at the muscle tissue in Shirai's shoulder, trying to rip it to keep a major threat down for good, an old rival at that aswell. Despite the obvious pain shown on the younger competitor's age , she refuses to let it keep her down, refusing to die tonight, she lifts herself up and lifts LeRae up into a fireman's carry position, SENDING CANDICE INTO THE LADDER HEAD-FIRST!

She screams in agony, rolling out of the ring, under the bottom rope. Io Shirai falls down to the canvas due to exhaustion, which would give both Dakota Kai & Tegan Nox the chance to continue battling it out once they both entered the ring once again. After multiple back-and-forth action between the two rivals, Shirai began to reach her feet again, positioning the fallen ladder back up in the center of the ring. However, before she could begin to climb up it, Tegan, followed by Dakota would do so. Continuing their malicious intended attack against eachother, but due to only paying attention to hurting their former best friends, it gave Shirai the chance to bring Nox down and land a kick to the skull in the process. Finally climbing up the ladder, Dakota tries to grab the briefcase that is high up in the air, but instead would be met with multiple kicks to the head, until she had no other option but to fall to her demise. With one last step to take, Io Shirai is able to after a couple of tugs, UNHOOK THE BRIEFCASE!

Io Shirai def. Bianca Belair, Dakota Kai, Tegan Nox, Candice LeRae, & Shotzi Blackheart to become the NXT Women's Championship #1 Contender @ WrestleMania 36! (25:00)

It was an outright war here in the Amalie Arena, with only one women being able to prevail... that women being Io Shirai! As she will challenge Rhea Ripley for the NXT Women's Championship at WrestleMania 36 this Sunday night! As the closing bell sounds throughout the arena, she props herself in the corner, visibly exhausted after such a tasking encounter. Moments later, Rhea Ripley joins her inside the ring, raising her championship high up in the air only 24 hours before their eventual title clash.

Match 2: Jordan Devlin (c) v. KUSHIDA - WWE Cruiserweight Championship

Build:

After NXT: Takeover Portland, Jordan Devlin has just come off a victory over both Lio Rush & Isaiah "Swerve" Scott. Feeling decently well about himself, he emerges on the following episode of NXT to gloat about his recent triumph, stating that noone will ever match up to his skills as a cruiserweight. Quickly after this was said, "New Moon" played over the PA System, only meaning one thing - KUSHIDA HAS RETURNED! Coming back from a wrist injury, occurring in October of 2019, at the hands of the NXT: UK Champion, WALTER. Making his way into the ring, he doesn't say much but instead paces around the ring until he says three simple words, "maybe think again". Before exiting the ring, the "Time Splitter" points at his wrist, and then at the Cruiserweight Championship, letting the champion know that his time on top is coming to a close.

The following week saw a WWE Cruiserweight Championship #1 Contender Match advertised in two weeks time, as KUSHIDA will go one-on-one against Lio Rush to decide who challenges Jordan Devlin on April 3rd at NXT Takeover: Tampa Bay. Rush earned this opportunity by not being pinned in Portland, a great test for the returning cruiserweight. But a week prior to this scheduled clash, KUSHIDA takes part in an exclusive interview, letting the world know that he is indeed at 100 percent, and he has come back for one thing, the WWE Cruiserweight Championship! Following this statement, he would be blindsided by Jordan Devlin, possibly no longer fully healed, quite unlucky for the Tokyo native.

A week later, KUSHIDA's scheduled #1 Contendership match against Lio Rush took place, which saw both men present their in-ring skills to the fullest. Once being the ace of the Junior division, KUSHIDA proved as to why he is a legitimate threat to Jordan Devlin's championship. Using those skills he learned overseas in Japan, Rush found it quite hard to keep up at times, and as the match reached it's twilight moments, Lio tried to land a beautiful-looking frog splash, BUT KUSHIDA GOT HIS KNEES UP JUST IN TIME! Which he followed up with a tight wrist lock... Rush tried to reach the ropes... BUT HAD NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO TAP OUT! Quickly after the closing bell rings, for the second week in a row Devlin looks to take out his challenger, but as he slides in the ring and swings for a lariat, KUSHIDA ducks under and throws him over the top rope. Clearly showing that he isn't afraid of his opposition, and is ready to become champion for the first time here in NXT.

On the final episode of NXT before NXT Takeover: Tampa Bay, a head-to-head video interview would be broadcasted. Giving the two a chance to explain why they will walk out of Florida this weekend as NXT Cruiserweight Champion, with the challenger beginning. KUSHIDA stated that he's proven time-and-time again how talented he truly is, whether it was in Japan or in the states, whether he was a junior or a cruiserweight, he is the very best inside the squared circle. And he won't be undervalued any longer, this weekend is about one thing - retrieving his rightful place on top! Following this, Devlin began to speak, saying that KUSHIDA has no business or chance at becoming the ace of the cruiserweights, even going to the point of stating that the only reason he was successful in Japan was because he wasn't there. And at Takeover, he will prove who is the superior talent, just like he has for the past three months.

Match:

As the second match of the night arrives, KUSHIDA makes his entrance first, sporting his Marty McFly inspired attire, a heap of smoke surrounding him as he marches through the gushing smoke to the ring, tapping his wrist and gesturing a title belt around his waist, signaling that it's now his time. Jordan Devlin is out next, the championship is secured tightly around his waist as he looks out at the crowd. Walking over to each side of the stage, he embraces the boos that echo throughout the arena. He audibly laughs before locking eyes with his challenger, proceeding to march down the ramp and enter the ring through the middle rope. Lifting up his championship, the competitive feel of this matchup is at an all-time high, as both competitors back up into their individual corners, the former Ace Of The Juniors, takes on the current one of the Cruiserweights, both looking to prevail in this one as the opening bell sounds.

As the match bell rings, KUSHIDA suddenly snaps out of his calm demeanor and smacks Jordan Devlin with a running big boot in the corner! The former is firing on all cylinders right out of the gate, following up with a pair of shin kicks that echo through the arena, the crowd burst into a shower of cheers for the unexpected assault. "The Time Splitter" takes his opposition to the center of the ring and attempts to whip him into the ropes, but Devlin reverses into an irish whip of his own. On the rebound, the champion checks KUSHIDA with a shoulder block, both men absorbing the impact and staring at each other for the slightest moment before the strikes start flying; forearms, elbows, uppercuts, kicks and jabs. All seamlessly being countered and evaded by two competitors whose roots in wrestling are so similar, they are able to predict the other's movements.

Jordan attempts to land a vertical suplex, but KUSHIDA bends his knees to counter, giving himself a lower centre of gravity, blocking the suplex attempt. He jerks his body to the side, jostling his opponent enough to expose his head, allowing him to cinch in a side headlock and take control of the match. Once again pushing him into the ropes, and as Devlin would look to land another swift first to the cheek, the challenger goes into a bridge position. Following this, he kips up landing a nicrely executed dropkick to Devlin's left arm. Now transitioning into a wristlock, trying to damage Devlin's wrist quite severely, but instead the gears shifted, as KUSHIDA's formely injured wrist would be targeted, proving that the champion is not lacking common knowledge. Locking in a wristlock of his own, Tokyo's own began to scream in agony due to the hold.

Scrambling to try and make it to the ropes, Devlin continues to tug onto the wrist, from the looks of it, trying to re-injure his opponent. KUSHIDA begins to scramble to the ropes, and once was just fingertips away, Devlin rolled over, looking to lock it in once again but this time positioned in the center of the ring. However, this was reversed as "The Time Splitter" rolls into the cover, making sure that both of his opposition's shoulders were up. The assigned referee for this contest begins to make the count...1...2... KICKOUT! Both of them quickly get to their feet after such a close count, but the champion gets knocked right back down after a VICIOUS ROUNDUP KICK TO THE TIP OF DEVLIN'S FOREHEAD! He slowly falls to his back, which gives KUSHIDA the incentive to head up to the top rope, meaning only one thing...

As Jordan collapses to one of the deadliest kicks in the company, he is met with a BEAUTFULLY EXECUTED MOONSAULT! As Devlin grabs his abdomen area, the crowd pops as they are excited to see KUSHIDA pulling out all the stops on such an important night. Picking him up now, KUSHIDA slumps himself over into the cover, the fans imploring Smith on his courageous efforts. But when he proceeded to continue his attack, he sailed right into the Bermuda Triangle! Devlin has it locked in! But the former desperately tries to escape the hold, knowing that this could end his night quite quickly. After a few moments of crawling his way near the ropes, his fingers mere inches away from grasping the middle rope, Jordan Devlin transitioned into a SAITO SUPLEX! Finally having the clear advantage in this contest once again, the champion heads to the cover for the first time here tonight...1...2...KICKOUT!

Devlin would now work the back of his opponent, hitting him with several kicks to the back. And with each kick, the crowd grow louder in support of KUSHIDA, hoping for him to get back on the offense in this one. With the fans in attendance visibly on his side, the highly talented KUSHIDA feels the energy in the arena, rallying behind the Tampa Bay crowd, as he begins to make it to his feet. Upon doing so, he runs at his opposition, attacking the arm here once again, trying to weaken it for a possible submission victory later on. Beginning to twist Devlin's arm in a quite awkward way, wrenching it side-by-side, eventually sending Jordan down with a running dropkick after leaping off the ropes. Following this, he waited for his to make it to his feet, LANDING A HANDSPRING BACK ELBOW! Quickly grabbing his jaw, Devlin is visibly hurting from the previous maneuver, as KUSHIDA roars in excitement.

Now it’s KUSHIDA in control, but it wouldn't be able to be kept inside for too long, as Jordan does the logical thing in rolling out of the ring. He wouldn't be alone however, as KUSHIDA JOINS HIM WITHA SOMERSAULT TOPÉ! Just several moments after this, the challenger picks up Devlin to throw him back in the ring, looking to leap off the ropes once again, a rolling elbow is missed which gives Jordan the opportunity TO LAND A CRUCIAL SUPERKICK! He falls down to the canvas directly onto his back, as DEVLIN TRANSITIONS INTO A DOUBLE FOOT STOMP UPON HIS CHALLENGER! "The Irish Ace" gestures that this matchup is about to come to a conclusion, WHO LOOKS FOR A PACKAGE PILEDRIVER... BUT NO HE'S THWARTED BY HIS OPPOSITION AND ENTANGLED IN A HOVERBOARD LOCK! Devlin's arm waves frantically in the air, reaching for the ropes, only for his opposition to roll him back to the center of the ring, screaming for the champion to tap! "The Irish Ace" barely holds on, he's so close to the ropes, he can do it… HE TAPS OUT!

KUSHIDA def. Jordan Devlin (c) to win the WWE Cruiserweight Championship (17:00)

A utterly competitive match between these two fantastic cruiserweight sees KUSHIDA prevail with a hoverboard lock. As the brand new WWE Cruiserweight Champion stumbles to his feet, finally realizing his triumphant victory, while Jordan Devlin is currently in a state of shock, unable to fathom that he truly lost this match. It meant so much to both of these men, but the champion was a little too cocky at times and that costed him, as he exits the ring and stumbles to the back in utter disbelief. Back in the ring, KUSHIDA drapes his new-found championship belt over his shoulder as he watches his opposition walk off into the distance...

Match 3: Matt Riddle v. Pete Dunne - Singles Match

Build:

The New Year kicked off with a bang, as the annual Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Tournament kicked off. One of the more intriguing parts of the eight-team tournament, was how well the new-found duo of both Matt Riddle & Pete Dunne performed. As they were able to make it to the finals of this tournament, defeating both Time Splitters (KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley) & #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa). However, upon making the finals the two polar opposites go head-to-head against the Grizzled Young Veterans at NXT Takeover: Portland, which is where it all came crashing down. Upon almost gaining the platinum trophy, Riddle's dreams ended in a blink of an eye when Pete Dunne chose to side with the darkside, EXECUTING A BITTEREND ON HIS PARTNER! Which let the Grizzled Young Veterans secure their victory and become 2020 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Winners!

In the fallout of Takeover, the show opens up with a furious Matt Riddle wanting answers immediately. Upon pacing around the ring needlessly, he continues to demand for Pete Dunne to make his way out from the back, and once "Bruiserweight" plays over the PA System... no-one appears. As Riddle is left with mere silence once the audio fades out, he seemingly wouldn't get any answers for the time being, until the roar of the crowd would expand as PETE DUNNE ENTERS THE RING BEHIND RIDDLE, TAKING HIM DOWN WITH A HUGE LARIAT FROM BEHIND! Continuing to beat on his former foe, he finished him off by cracking both of Riddle's index fingers. An ill-intended smile comes over Pete Dunne's face, as he leaves him lying, seemingly not giving out any answers to his actions just yet.

Following another brutal attack by the former NXT UK Champion, Pete Dunne an advertised exclusive interview has promised that he will explain his recent actions. During the aforementioned sitting, he stated that he wanted to let Matt Riddle wait for an answer, that he didn't deserve one, and still doesn't. But for some clarity he will do just that, he exclaimed that he can't stand the goofy nature that Riddle possesses, and needed to be taught a lesson as soon as possible. The reason why they didn't walk out of NXT: Takeover Portland as the tournament winners wasn't because of them a team, but solely for the reason that Riddle is too immature to focus on what is truly important. This was all a lesson, and he will be taught the moral of the story soon enough.

After being given a week off to recover from the grueling attack handed to him, Matt Riddle is seen the following week outside of Regal's office, impatiently knocking on the door and impatiently pacing around. Once the door was opened, he began demanding for a one-on-one encounter against Pete Dunne at the upcoming NXT Takeover: Tampa Bay event. Regal obliges after some thought, 'making the match official for April 3rd, Matt shakes the NXT General Manager's hand, before walking away and stating that he won't regret this decision.

Match:

The world of wrestling is buzzing as we approach the night’s more personal bouts, Matt Riddle makes his entrance first as he marches down to the ring, his usual foolish demeanor is non-existent. With his mind only being on vengeance, he gestures for his opposition to make his way out from the back Right on cue, the former NXT UK Champion makes his prominent entrance, flaunting a brand new look ;denim jacket, a gold singlet, & silver boots. As the two former foes come face-to-face in the center of the ring, a look of disgust comes over both competitor's faces, showcasing the hatred these two have for eachother. They slowly move back into their respective corners, as the opening bell sounds and this battle based off of a personal vendetta gets underway.

Moments after the bell rings, the two slowly once again meet face-to-face, spurting insults to eachother before they can officially begin this battle. It starts with the two engaging in a collar-and-elbow tieup, Matt Riddle is a little taken aback with the strength of Pete Dunne, as he gives off atleast 30 pounds to him, as he is rushed into the corner with an immense amount of force. "The Bruiserweight" teasing a running attack on him, only to give him a push on the chest and demanding him to come at him again, wanting some rightful competition. Riddle brushes his chest, before obliging with a push of his own, this time around insisting on driving with more power. Now while Dunne didn't fall into the corner like his opposition, the push did have some form of power behind it, angering the Birmingham native.

He shakes it off though, not letting Riddle get the better of him, as he shoots for yet another tie-up. This time it works out, transitioning into an arm-lock, looking to force Riddle's hand down to the canvas. But when he attempted to stomp on it, Riddle was able to get out the way just in time, quickly grabbing onto his opponent's waist ferociously, attempting a german suplex but instead Pete Dunne flips over, running back at Riddle. Going for his opposition's legs, he chips away at them with successive kicks, even backing him into the corner and overwhelming him with a flurry of stomps! He backs up once again and showboats, throwing up his fists on each side of his cheeks. However, when he turns around, there’s another thing coming for him, which is A HUGE BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE!

Visibly hurting now, Riddle pulls himself up, but this time managing to dodge a stomp, as he goes for the legs once more with kicks, before tripping up the former UK Champ and overwhelming him with unpleasant forearms and stomps, Dunne forced to cover up. Not giving his opposition a chance to rest this time, he goes behind for a German Suplex attempt, looking to display his own strength, only for Dunne to send Riddle flying onto the canvas from a successful hip toss. From there, the fast & agile Riddle leaped up, rushing off the ropes in an attempt to take his opponent down with a lariat. But instead is taken down with a GERMAN SUPLEX OF HIS OWN! Landing directly on his neck, DUNNE PROCEEDS TO STOMP RIGHT ON IT!

A callback to NXT Takeover: New Orleans 2018, Pete Dunne showcases his most recent changes. Furthermore, he proceeds to haul his former ally out of the ring, but Riddle is able to stick his footing on the apron! Pete realizes this, and goes for a running attack, but is caught with a KICK TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! Dunne finally being dazed, he quickly heads up to the top rope, CONNECTING WITH A BEAUTIFULLY PUT SENTON BOMB! Falling into the cover, the count officially begins...1...2...KICKOUT! A look of disbelief comes over Riddle, looking to try it one more time. However, when he attempted to climb up the top rope, but is stopped suddenly, as Dunne grabs onto Riddle's leg desperately. Holding onto it tightly, using his solid grip to lock in an Ankle Lock!

"The Original Bro writhes in pain, screaming in agony, as he starts to desperately crawl to the ropes. Pete Dunne continues to wrench on the right ankle, while he isn't able to reach the ropes, he turns around and kicks Dunne off of him. In his element, Riddle rushes towards his opposition, grabbing onto Dunne's waist once again with the tightest of grips, HE LIFTS HIM UP AND SENDS DUNNE BACK DOWN TO THE CANVAS WITH A DEADLIFT GERMAN SUPLEX! After a 30 seconds of recovery for both men, as exhaustion has begun to kick in, the two men weakly return to their feet, Riddle rapidly going off with forearm smashes from his stronger arm before firing a Powerbomb/Final Flash Combo! Falling into the cover once more, the count began...1...2...KICKOUT! Returning to his feet, Matt Riddle attempts a Bro-ton, PETE DUNNE IS ABLE TO GET HIS KNEES UP FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THIS CONTEST!

As he returns to his feet, HE LOOKS FOR AN ATTEMPTED BITTER END, BUT MATT RIDDLE HANGS ON FOR DEAL LIFE! Sneakily falling behind Dunne, he looks for yet another german suplex, but unluckily for him it's a no-go, as Dunne begrudgingly grabs Riddle's left hand, forcefully putting it down on the canvas and STOMPING ON IT! Riddle screams in utter agony, the pain distracting him from what is going on around him, as he is sent down to the canvas with a ROUNDHOUSE KICK! Dozing off is Matt Raddle, but before he can do, he is picked up by his opposition and sent right back down with A VICIOUS BITTER END! Heading to the cover after a couple of moments... 1...2...3...!

Pete Dunne def. Matt Riddle (18:00)

A utterly violent match between these two former foes sees Pete Dunne prevail, with "The Bruiserweight" standing tall over the battered and broken Matt Riddle. Not the result the aforementioned talent was hoping for at all, possibly his emotions getting the best of him at times. Dunne has his hand raised in victory, while Riddle rolls out of the ring in despair, as he watches from the distance, he just simply shrugs.