Sami Zayn defeated Adrian Neville in the main event of tonight’s NXT Takeover: R Evolution two-hour live special to become the new NXT Champion.
There were two referee bumps in the match, which allowed Sami Zayn to tease whether or not he would use the title belt as a weapon; his inability to do so has been portrayed as a “weakness” that has cost him the championship on multiple occasions. Ultimately he used the Helluva Kick to score the pinfall after an excellent 20-minute match to become the fifth holder of the title, following the innaugural champion Seth Rollins, Big E Langston, Bo Dallas and Adrian Neville.
On a side note, Neville surpassed Dallas’ reign of 280 days last week to become the longest reigning NXT Champion in the title’s short two-and-a-half year history.
Following the match, Kevin Owens – who was mentioned as being Zayn’s best friend throughout the night – came to the ring to congratulate him. The majority of the roster, including trainer Pat Patterson and several developmental talents, came down as well to hold up the new champion in the ring. They teased an attack by Adrian Neville, but the two ended up “hugging it out”.
To end the broadcast, in a major surprise, Kevin Owens came back and attacked Sami Zayn, hitting him with a powerbomb into the ring apron. General Manager William Regal came down to check on the champ as Owens walked off to end the night.
#NXTTakeover #Ole pic.twitter.com/tRxKC117oF
— Mike Killam (@MikeKillam) December 12, 2014
#NXTTakeover pic.twitter.com/eTyhbFlQlh
— Mike Killam (@MikeKillam) December 12, 2014
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens is the next major program in NXT. This is 2015. pic.twitter.com/bKVHD0Z3iu
— Mike Killam (@MikeKillam) December 12, 2014
#NXTTakeover pic.twitter.com/SIEG1AJZOp
— Mike Killam (@MikeKillam) December 12, 2014
#NXTTakeover The moment of betrayal. #ThisIsGonnaBeSoFreakingGood pic.twitter.com/VfyyV9H97H
— Mike Killam (@MikeKillam) December 12, 2014
