Samoa Joe defeats Finn Bálor to become new NXT champ at Lowell house show

There was a tangible buzz all day. First, Tom Phillips took the unusual step of announcing a title match for tonight's house show in Lowell, Mass. on the weekly NXT broadcast on WWE Network.

Samoa Joe would be getting his third crack at Finn Bálor's NXT title.

The, wrestlers buzzed about the show all day on Twitter.

Then, the main event arrived. And after what's been described as a great battle (and one where the Irishman was "hurt", NXT finally put the Samoan Submission Machine over Bálor to become the seventh champ in brand history.

@SamoaJoe new #NXT champion #NXTLowell #wwe pic.twitter.com/cOck8KfLca

— ProWrestlingBuzz (@prowrestlingbuz) April 22, 2016

So far, we know he won with the Muscle Buster, and it seems they worked an injury angle with Bálor's recently sprained ankle. It's also pretty clear they were filming, so we should have some official video online soon, and a version of the match on next week's WWE Network episode.

We'll keep you posted with more details as we get them, Cagesiders, but this is big news... for the future of Samoa Joe, NXT as a promotion (and future house shows) and really, REALLY opens up speculation for Finn to the main roster right when the Bullet Club angle with AJ Styles, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows is heating up.

2016, everybody. Expect the unexpected. And don't skip a NXT show when it hits your neck of the woods, apparently.

Thanks to Josh Nason at Wrestling Observer for the sweet photo!