NXT TAKEOVER 31
NXT TAKEOVER: 31 aired live on the WWE Network on Sunday, October 4, 2020 at 7 PM ET/ 4 PM PT.
NXT TakeOver 31 Matches
Finn Bálor vs Kyle O’Reilly, singles match for the NXT Championship
OUR PREDICTION: Finn Bálor
WINNER: Finn Bálor
RATING: 9/10
RECAP: This was the best match of the night. Kyle O’Reilly looked like a star. Finn Bálor looked like a star. So many move combinations, reversals, brutal looking spots. This match was a great technical wrestling match as Finn Balor gained control after one huge kick to the O’Reilly’s stomach. The match ended with both men bleeding and beaten down… O’Reilly hit Bálor with a German suplex, Bálor rolling out and stomping on the chest of O’Reilly and then hitting a Coup de Grace. Overall the best match of the night and exceeded most people’s expectations as O’Reilly was always “the tag team guy” and now he looks like a star in the making. After the match Ridge Holland was seen carrying a beaten up Adam Cole and the show ended with Ridge Holland staring a hole through the NXT Champion.
Io Shirai vs Candice LeRae, singles match for the NXT Women’s Championship
OUR PREDICTION: Io Shirai
WINNER: Io Shirai
RATING: 8/10
RECAP: The second best match of the night. these two had a great match just like last year but the only difference is Shirai was the face and LeRae was the heel. There were cool spots and big moves. At one point Shirai hit the red by accident so LeRae’s husband Johnny Gargano came out and put on a referee shirt and tried to help LeRae win but this failed. The match ended with Shirai hitting LeRae with a moonsault to retain her title. After the match Toni Storm and Ember Moon made their NXT return. Overall a great match and another one would be great.
Damian Priest vs Johnny Gargano, singles match for the NXT North American Championship
OUR PREDICTION: Damian Priest
WINNER: Damian Priest
RATING: 6/10
RECAP: A decent opener but the weakest match of the night. A pretty dominant showing for Priest but Gargano did what Gargano does best – make his opponent look amazing. Johnny Gargano has been going after this title for a while and still has not captured it. The match ended after Damian Priest caught Gargano with The Reckoning to win the match. Overall a good way to kick off the show and these two could have another match and it would still be great.
KUSHIDA vs. Velveteen Dream, Singles match
OUR PREDICTION: KUSHIDA
WINNER: KUSHIDA
RATING: 6/10
RECAP: A great showing for KUSHIDA, he jumped Dream during his entrance and the match had KUSHIDA in control for most of it. Velveteen Dream was great as always and really made KUSHIDA look like a star. The match ended with KUSHIDA putting Dream in a submission after rolling through one of his moves which caused Dream to tap out. KUSHIDA won his first ever TakeOver match. After the match KUSHIDA attacked Velveteen Dream so this feud will probably continue. Overall a really good match and it made KUSHIDA look like a star.
Santos Escobar vs Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, singles match for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship
OUR PREDICTION: Santos Escobar
WINNER: Santos Escobar
RATING: 7/10
RECAP: Another great match. Santos Escobar looked dominant and so did Scott. Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza got involved but they were fought off by Scott. The match ended with Escobar hitting Scott with a double underhood face buster for the win. The match was very back and forth and both men looked like stars. Scott is definitely a future cruiserweight champion and it’s just a matter of time. Overall a good match and was definitely overlooked.
