New NXT Champion Crowned At WWE NXT TakeOver: New Orleans
A show worthy of WrestleMania weekend.
Aleister Black was crowned the new NXT Champion last night after defeating Andrade "Cien" Almas in the penultimate match of NXT TakeOver: New Orleans.
The Dutchman sealed his first taste of WWE gold after performing the Black Mass on his opponent before pinning him around the 20-minute mark. The challenger also withstood a series of interventions from Zelina Vega, Almas' ringside manager.
He becomes the 13th man to wear NXT's biggest prize, which was first held by Seth Rollins back in 2012. His predecessor had carried the belt for more than four months, having captured it from Drew McIntyre at November's TakeOver: WarGames.
On Instagram, Black greeted news of his biggest career win in characteristically understated fashion, sharing a caption-less black and white picture with him holding his new title. His first defence will likely be at the developmental arm's June show in Chicago, on the weekend of Money in the Bank.
Elsewhere at TakeOver: New Orleans, Shayna Baszler captured the NXT Women's Championship with victory Ember Moon, while Adam Cole became the inaugural North American Champion after winning a six-man ladder match. In the main event, Johnny Gargano triumphed over ex-partner Tommaso Ciampa in an unsanctioned bout.