WWE BREAKING: Samoa Joe has defeated Finn Bálor for the WWE NXT Championship

[Smart Marx]

Samoa Joe captures NXT Championship at Live Event in Lowell, Mass.

LOWELL, Mass. — Samoa Joe defeated Finn Bálor to capture the NXT Championship at a Live Event Thursday night in Lowell, Massachusetts, WWE.com has confirmed.

Joe’s victory put an end to Bálor’s record-breaking reign as NXT Champion. The Demon won the title on July 4, 2015, and held it for 292 days, surpassing the mark set by Neville in 2014.

Full NXT coverage

Now that Samoa Joe has finally snared NXT’s top prize, what will the destroyer have in store for anyone who dares to step up and challenge him? How will Finn Bálor handle this setback? Find out by tuning into NXT, Wednesdays at 8/7 C, only on WWE Network, and stick with WWE.com for complete coverage of this developing story, including photos and video.

At a house show?! Color me shocked and surprised.

This must mean WWE needed the strap off Finn Balor sooner than later so they could get him on WWE television.

 

[Cwalker]

Balor was selling an injury during the match apparently; don't know if it's legit or not but that may have something to do with it.

Either way I'm shocked it happened at a house show. I figured Balor would hold the title til Itami came back. Don't think he'll be promoted to the major roster just yet cause NXT kinda needs him but we'll see.

 

[Smart Marx]

Balor was selling an injury during the match apparently; don't know if it's legit or not but that may have something to do with it.

Either way I'm shocked it happened at a house show. I figured Balor would hold the title til Itami came back. Don't think he'll be promoted to the major roster just yet cause NXT kinda needs him but we'll see.

It does look that way. Although, you would think they would rush to have Finn retain and deal with it tomorrow.


Watch while it lasts.

 

[Cwalker]

Wonder if they'll show the match on NXT TV next week

 

[Smart Marx]

Wonder if they'll show the match on NXT TV next week

I imagine they will as they just released this on their NXT Facebook...

 

[Postman Dave]

I only saw the Youtube vids of this past weeks NXT, but in the Joe/Apollo one they mentioned on commentary quite casually that Joe would be getting a shot at the strap on this house show. It was such a random thing to mention on TV that this outcome didn't actually surprise me too much due to the foreshadowing.

The real point of interest is where Balor goes from here, especially with the Styles/Gallows/Anderson stuff on the main roster. Bad timing injury perhaps?

 

[Messiah]

Yeah, NXT needs Balor right now.. He's the biggest star on the show.. Calling him up and having him job to Apollo Crews is not a smart decision, i really don't see much happening with Balor on the main roster.. He'll end up like Tyler Breeze.

 

[JakeYourBooty]

Yeah, NXT needs Balor right now.. He's the biggest star on the show.. Calling him up and having him job to Apollo Crews is not a smart decision, i really don't see much happening with Balor on the main roster.. He'll end up like Tyler Breeze.

The only way he's getting called up is to be part of the Balor Club with Gallows and Anderson. That an upper Midcard to Main Event level feud with AJ. Pretty far from Tyler Breeze.

 

[Deezy]

LOL @ Finn jobbing on the main roster.

What a disconnect between NXT and WWE fandom.

 

[Sabretooth]

Well it looks like it's time for The Demon to make his debut.

 

[Kiffy Lube]

About fuckin' time.

Hell, Joe shouldn't have had to go to NXT. He's better than A.J. Styles could ever dream to be. I'd actually place Samoa Joe in my top 5 of all-time.

 

[Deezy]

Top five?

That's like putting Future with PAC n Biggie.