10 Things To Take Away From WWE NXT Takeover: Rival

5. Balor v. Neville Makes Bid For Match Of The Night, Balor #1 Contender

The bracket has evolved down from eight to two for the #1 contender to the NXT Championship. Finn Balor disposed of Curtis Axel and a good friend in Hideo Itami on the way to the finals; while Adrian Neville took out Tyson Kidd and a previously unbeaten Baron Corbin to make the finals on his end of the bracket. This is Balor's first shot at the title picture; while Neville is clawing his way back up the mountain after losing the title to Sami Zayn two months ago. As we expected, Balor brought out the War Paint once again for this big match. It was not a large departure from the War Paint he used at Evolution, and that is perfectly fine. He can save all of his creative ideas for the War Paint and entrances for when he's on the main roster (probably later on in 2015). Neville did not look phased by the entrance as he is very familiar with Balor from the independent days, and looked very ready to get back to the top. The tone that Balor and Neville sent was intense, yet plodding and slow to start. Once things poured to the outside of the ring, business picked up in a big way. Balor would hit a gigantic dropkick on the outside that sent Neville crashing through the barrier, and garner a HOLY SH*T chant from the NXT Universe. Back in the ring, Balor hit his finisher stomp on the BACK OF NEVILLE'S HEAD, yet he kicked out at two! Neville recovered to attempt the Red Arrow, but Balor got his knees up and gained the advantage to complete his double foot stomp for the victory after 13 amazing minutes.