10 Best NXT Matches Of 2016
4. 2 Out Of 3 Falls: Samoa Joe Vs Sami Zayn (NXT)
When Sami Zayn returned to NXT from his injury layoff, he made his intentions known that he wanted to be the first two-time NXT champion in history. However, standing in his way was a very p*ssed off Samoa Joe, who had been clamouring for his rematch against Finn Balor since losing to the champ at NXT TakeOver: London.
After a triple threat between Joe, Zayn and Baron Corbin proved inconclusive as both men had claims to making Corbin tap out, a two out of three falls match was ordered between Joe and Zayn to determine the true number one contender to the title. Unsurprisingly, the match was tremendous, taking up an entire episode of NXT TV. Zayn once again played the underdog babyface role to perfection against dominant heel Joe, with the match building slowly and smartly to the hugely dramatic final fall, with Joe finally choking out Zayn for the big win to round out an epic contest.
Zayn never did become a two-time champ before making the jump to the main roster but the man who was first to achieve that honour, funnily enough, was Samoa Joe last month.