Would “The Gargano Way” help Candice LeRae do something she’d never done before at TakeOver 31? If she could beat Io Shirai on Sun., Oct. 4, she’d also capture the NXT Women’s title for the first time in her career.
It was a frenetic opening, and a Shirai moonsault off the apron looked like the Poison Pixie’s new approach wouldn’t help at all. But a Backstabber counter in the corner changed everything, and it wasn’t long before the champ was bleeding and scrambling to kick out of covers and to power out of submissions.
Frustration grew for Candice, and missed senton eventually let the Genius of the Sky back into the match. Io followed with a stomp to the mid-section, and it wasn’t long before a Tiger Feint Kick followed. A missile drop kick got two, and Io climbed for moonsault off the top. LeRae caught up and turned it into a powerbomb to start a flurry that ended with Shirai barely kicking out of springboard moonsault.
Each woman went for submissions, and Candice hit the referee after Io got to the ropes to escape a crossface. Shiria hit her moonsault from the top, but then bounced into the ref, sending him to the floor. After LeRae hit Wicked Stepsister with no one there to count three, her husband ran in with a striped shirt to try for the fast count.
THAT'S THE GARGANO WAY!
— WWE (@WWE) October 5, 2020
An unexpected special guest referee in @JohnnyGargano attempts to secure the #WWENXT Women's Championship for @CandiceLeRae at #NXTTakeOver 31! pic.twitter.com/jdz5UUsP18
That didn’t work though, and neither to Candice hitting the champ with the belt while Johnny distracted the real ref. Shirai followed a Spanish Fly from the top with her moonsault, and her reign continues.
It has a new threat, however. While Io celebrated, Toni Storm appeared on the big screen to announce her return to NXT.
That wasn’t all! The mystery return was next, but we’ll tell you about that... here.
For a complete rundown of everything that happened at the Capitol Wrestling Center tonight, head to our live blog here.