Karrion Kross Chokes Out Kyle O’Riley to Retain the NXT Title in a Huge 5 Man Main Event at NXT TakeOver

NXT TakeOver: In Your House was aiming to hit the ball out of the park and they did just that. With a packed attendance at the CWC reaching a record high, WWE delivered one of its best shows and displayed talent at the highest level.

However, nothing drew more eyes than the main event, which had most of the biggest names in the NXT men’s division. NXT Champion Karrion Kross found himself in an absolute war against Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne, and Johnny Gargano. The 5-man battle had the title on the line, with each man hungry to win it more than ever before. 

Challengers stayed away from Karrion Kross in the beginning

The men clashed and delivered absolute pandemonium to the packed crowd. The match began with each star picking targets. Adam Cole received the brunt of it. No one touched the dominant Karrion Kross, who was given the luxury of choosing a fight to get into.

Before the match, the NXT Champion had never been beaten by pinfall or submission on the brand, a record held by no one else. He defended that belt with all his might and proved exactly why he was champion. Kross devastated all those who came in his way until a massive group effort from the other challengers took him down. 

Pete Dunne went on a ‘finger-breaking’ spree and engaged in a submission duel with Johnny Gargano. The two reversed classic submissions on each other and then switched on to Kyle O’Reilly, who took them both out. The three then switched turns on submissions, trying to pick up the victory. 

Adam Cole fell in his own trap against Kyle O’Reilly

Adam Cole came in to clear the ring and delivered deviating Superkicks to most challengers. He attempted to finish Kyle O’Reilly off with a Panama Sunrise but failed to connect. Karrion Kross on the outside found his weight used against him. 

Cole and O’Reilly, working as the team they once were, power bombed the heavyweight into the commentary table. All challengers were effectively out of the match thanks to the efforts of Adam Cole and his Superkicks again. Unfortunately for him, his own strategy backfired as Kyle O’Reilly caught him in a heel hook with no one to break him out of it!

Karrion Kross thankfully came to his rescue, but not quite. The NXT Champion immediately caught O’Reilly in a Kross Jacket (Straight Jacket submission maneuver) and successfully choked him out to retain the title. He survived all odds to retain against the best all in one ring. Karrion Kross, who remains at the pinnacle of his NXT career, impressed the CWC fans tonight.  

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