Part III : The Autumn Reaches NXT

Build to NXT Takeover: Vengeance Day

WWE NXT - December 30th, 2020

Five weeks after toppling Matt Riddle at NXT Takeover: Wargames and proceeding to put him on the shelf once again, Pete Dunne's risky, but effective performances these past few months, have earned himself a NXT Championship match against The Prince, Finn Balor on the final episode of NXT! The two highly talented performers pull off a match for the ages, leaving everything they had in the center of the ring, for a chance to be called a champion, and for Dunne that's all he's ever wanted since stepping foot in the WWE. So when he was given the chance that alluded him two months ago, of-course he was going to do whatever it took to leave victorious, and after over 20 minutes of hard-fought action, he did just that. A failed 1916 attempt, ultimately left Balor speechless when he came crashing down to the canvas, after he was caught with a picture perfect Bitterend! A huge upset victory for The Broserweight as he leaves 2020 as champion, and enters the new year with all the momentum in the world.

Following possibly the biggest upset in recent memory, Dunne raises both of his hands triumphantly, one empty-handed and one filled with gold. This ultimately didn't last however, as the familiar theme song of "The Original Bro" hit the PA System, as over a month of being put on the shelf, he is back on NXT! Rushing to the ring, the two go at it, back-and-forth they go, as Riddle seemingly gets the better of the man that attempted to end his career in November, sending the brand new NXT Champion, Pete Dunne retreating with a BroDerik!!! The returning former Tag Team Champion sends a message to not just his attacker, but to the rest of the locker-room, proving that while he may not have the gold just yet, he sure does have a heart made out of one.

WWE NXT - January 6th, 2021

On the first episode of NXT in 2021, the newly returned Matt Riddle requests some time to speak with the NXT Universe, his request is quickly accepted, as he takes to the ring and grabs a microphone along the way. Once he is settled inside the ring, he takes a few moments to appreciate being back in the Capital Wrestling Center, before stating that it's certainly great to be back, but he has some unfinished business to take care of, that being with one Pete Dunne. He feels as this thing between them has been going on for a lifetime, and he just wants to finish it all already, but before he can do that, he feels as he has to lay out a challenge first. Dunne took everything he had ever wanted away, and attempted to take even more at Wargames, so now it's time to even the score, he wants to now take away what Peter cares about the most, the NXT Championship!

Once he finishes his last remark, Pete Dunne's theme hits, signaling the arrival of the champion, a brand-new strut behind his step, as he has finally won the big one after all of these years. However, seeing Riddle back in an NXT ring has undoubtedly put a sour taste in his mouth, which has resulted in him interrupting his big return here tonight. He enters the ring through the middle rope, staring daggers at one of his biggest rivals, before grabbing a microphone for himself and beginning to speak. He states that Riddle simply doesn't deserve a shot at his title, he lost at Wargames in decisive fashion, and after sitting on the sidelines for five weeks, he can just shoot up the ladder to a title shot, ultimately stating that it just doesn't work that way sadly. His answer is no, and it will continue to be until Riddle proves to be worthy of challenging for the title.

WWE NXT - January 13th, 2021

The following week sees Matt Riddle approach the ring for the second week in a row, confidence pouring from not only his eyes, but his body expressions aswell. Upon entering the ring, he grabs a microphone, stating that he heard what Dunne was saying last week, and is certainly ready to earn his shot at the NXT Championship, and what better way to do that, than toppling the champion himself. He proceeds to call The Broserweight out, demanding for a one-on-one encounter, to prove undoubtedly that he's next in line for a title shot, but unfortunately for him there was no answer from him atleast, but rather from an unexpected talent...

It is... Johnny Gargano! A former NXT Champion himself, he struts down the ring, simply laughing at Riddle, and so is the rest of The Way. Upon entering the ring, he grabs a microphone and begins to state that Riddle is a crybaby, that he simply can't handle defeat, and that's exactly why he's so desperate to have a shot at the richest prize in this company, but if he truly wants to prove himself, it wouldn't be against some lucky champion but rather a proven superstar in himself. He goes on to propose that the two have a one-on-one encounter, and if he can topple a former champion, than maybe, just maybe, he can get in line.

WWE NXT - January 20th, 2021

After proposing for the two to duke it out, Johnny Gargano will go one-on-one with Matt Riddle, as he looks to send the latter packing to the back of the line. Riddle was thinking the exact opposite however, as he looks to prove to the current champion that he deserves a shot at the illustrious title, which is what made this first-time ever encounter so special, as both men were able to use their abilities to their fullest potentials, where this matchup could have gone either way on numerous occasions, but the hunger of Riddle was seemingly too much to handle! An attempted Slingshot DDT by Gargano led to a BroDerek in mid-air being executed for the victory, Riddle had just pinned a former NXT Champion clean, what's next for The Original Bro?

That question would quickly be answered, as Pete Dunne's music hit the PA System, and he marched down the entrance ramp and into the ring. Circling the ring for quite some time, he eventually grabbed a microphone, stating that Riddle did indeed do good, but that win isn't going to be enough, he will have to win a #1 Contendership match in two weeks to solidify a title shot at NXT: Vengeance Day, he wishes him luck, as he will truly need it, before Riddle places his palm on the title, and says it doesn't matter, because he won't need it.

WWE NXT - February 3rd, 2021

Given a week off for possibly his biggest match thus far in his NXT tenure, Matt Riddle takes on Tyler Bate in a NXT #1 Contendership contest! A tough challenge for The Original Bro no doubt, as he has to topple the one man that sent all his dreams crashing down once before, but the two end up pulling off a highly intriguing bout, that proved as to why these two had this opportunity in the first place. The two going back-and-forth, it was quite the sight to watch, with Bate using some of his old tactics that led to his victory in Boston alongside Trent Seven, Riddle used his pent-up frustration from that night to his advantage, which eventually led to him securing the victory and the #1 Contendership, this only occurring once a BroDerek was executed, as he is now one step closer to stardom.

Following this contest, the NXT Champion, Pete Dunne appears on the titantron right on cue. He congratulates Riddle on his victory, and states that he looks forward to finally shutting him up, but that simply isn't enough. He wants more, he wants to never see his face again, so he indeed will get his title shot, but it won't just be inside of the Fight Pit, it won't just be for the NXT Championship, it will also be for both men's NXT Careers!

WWE NXT - February 10th, 2021

On the NXT Takeover: Wargames go-home show, a video package would be shown, as it showcased what led to their third singles encounter, not only that but aswell as their history. From beyond the WWE world, to what's occurred inside the company. Both men also are able to take a few moments to claim why they believe they will walk out of Sunday night as the top champion of NXT. While Riddle states that he has worked his entire career to get this point, the obstacles that were put in place up to this point only motivates him more to finally win the big one, Dunne claims that he's always been the better out of the two, being NXT Champion proves that to be so, and come Takeover, he will prove that once more when he walks out still the champion.

NXT Takeover: Vengeance Day - February 14th, 2021

Pete Dunne (c) v. Matt Riddle - NXT Championship | Fight Pit Match

The final showdown between these two, it's Dunne/Riddle III baby! After months upon months of emotional warfare between these two, they certainly have a chance to walk out with the last laugh, and send their counterpart home without a job aswell, as they say there's always a risk and reward with every situation, that's exactly what this is here! This ended up being everything the fans expected it to be, it was physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausting, as these two superior athletes left it all inside the squared circle tonight, no question asked either. Both men used their technical prowess throughout the duration of this contest, which is to be expected by two competitors who have mastered it, the story of Riddle overcoming the odds was presented here, and it has been for the past five months or so, with his hunger and drive ultimately being the reason the matchup began to folow a certain way, his way.

The contest continued, with 20 minutes passing by quite fast, and with it flying by, exhaustion began to settle in for the first time aswell. Speeding up once Dunne began to seek control once more, using his technical skills to snap, break, and twist the fingers of his opposition, ultimately trying to weaken Riddle, for his fall of doom of sorts. That being when he would proceed to lift up Riddle, picking him up for an attempted Bitter End, but Riddle safely is able to escape landing a nasty knee strike to the jaw of Dunne! Backing up into the corner, while Riddle was lining up for the corner, Dunne seemingly would rip off the turnbuckle pad, and once he came rushing over to him, HE GOT OUT OF THE WAY IN THE KNICK OF TIME, AND RIDDLE MET THE STEEL FACE-FIRST! A BITTEREND WOULD FOLLOW AS DUNNE SECURED THE THREE COUNT, SENDING RIDDLE TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE IN THE PROCESS!

Pete Dunne def. Matt Riddle to retain the NXT Championship (26:55)

Epilogue:

Following the deafening loss on Valentine's Day, Matt Riddle is eventually called up to the Main Roster, eventually having heaps of success, which included capturing the United States Championship. However, on the other side of things, Pete Dunne went on to have a hell of a run as NXT Champion, putting all comers away, which included the likes of Finn Balor, Timothy Thatcher, and Kyle O'Reilly. But eventually like all reigns, it had to come to an unfortunate end, as the story came to it's close as it had initially began, that being falling to Tyler Bate, but this time he took everything Dunne worked so hard to obtain the first place. This taking place at NXT Takeover: Chicago, all good things have to come to an end though, and this was just another one of those things.