HHH notes that Finn Bálor’s past is his future.
During a taped segment, Bálor talks about his time in NXT, the main roster, and his eventual return to NXT. Bálor says he is tired of trying to please everyone. Bálor is doing what’s best for him. Bálor is going back to being the best wrestler in the world. Bálor is only interested in pleasing himself.
Highlights of Bálor’s match with Gargano is shown:
Finn Bálor vs Johnny Gargano
Gargano rolls up Bálor. Bálor kicks out. Bálor and Gargano trade submission and pin attempts. Bálor puts Gargano in a head-scissors. Bálor does push-ups while he has Gargano’s head trapped. Gargano escapes and dropkicks Bálor. Gargano puts Bálor in a side headlock. Gargano lands his roll through kick. Bálor and Gargano and Bálor trade chops. Gargano spears Bálor on the apron. Bálor surprises Gargano with the sling blade outside the ring. Bálor sends Gargano back into the ring. Bálor drives his elbow into Gargano’s face. Bálor snaps Gargano’s leg on the top rope. Bálor works over Gargano’s injured leg. Gargano tries another roll through kick but Bálor catches Gargano’s foot. Bálor puts Gargano in a deathlock. Gargano tries a tope but Bálor catches Gargano and almost hits 1916. Gargano escapes and hits a senton off the apron. Slingshot spear by Gargano. Bálor kicks out.
Bálor counters Gargano’s lawn dart into the final cut. Gargano lawn darts Bálor. Bálor responds with a Pelé kick. Gargano superkicks Bálor. Gargano falls on top of Bálor for a near fall. Gargano rolls out to the apron. Bálor and Gargano trade strikes. Bálor misses the double foot stomp. Gargano destroys Bálor with the slingshot DDT. Bálor kicks out. Gargano puts Bálor in the Gargano Escape. Bálor gets to the ropes.Bálor rolls out of the ring. Gargano dropkicks Bálor into the barricade. Gargano sets up the announce table. Bálor surprises Gargano with a suplex onto the table. Gargano stands up. Bálor runs from one table to the other with a shotgun dropkick. Gargano falls into the barricade. Bálor sends Gargano into the ring. Bálor hits the double stomp followed by 1916 for the win.
Winner- Finn Bálor
HHH says the Royal Rumble winner selecting an NXT title to compete for is proof of NXT’s rise to prominence.
During a video package, Rhea Ripley charts her journey from the first Mae Young Classic to winning the NXT Women’s championship. By the time the second MYC started Ripley decided to be herself and not worry about what everyone else thinks or wants. Ripley says WrestleMania isn’t happening in Charlotte Flair’s world. It’s happening in Ripley’s world: the Performance Center.
To put a bow on all of this. HHH says WrestleMania is going to be one to remember.
"The venue for #WrestleMania might have changed, but the result won't. I'm walking into @WrestleMania as #WWENXT #WomensChampion, and I'm PINNING @MsCharlotteWWE and walking out as #WWENXT #WomensChampion!" – @RheaRipley_WWE pic.twitter.com/VpSYATSkXZ
— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2020
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