TakeOver: XXX opened with one of two non-title matches on the card, Finn Bálor vs. Timothy Thatcher.
The NXT legend and the recently signed technical wizard started circling each other during a Triple Threat to qualify for another of tonight’s matches, the North American championship ladder match. Submission specialist Thatcher took the submission loss there, then cost Bálor his second chance qualifier on the go home episode last Wednesday.
A question being asked by the announce team of Vic Joseph, Corey Graves & Beth Phoenix was whether or not Finn would want to grapple with the “Thatch As Thatch Can” master. He didn’t hesitate, and went hold for hold with the former Evolve champ.
It didn’t work early...
Your pain is Timothy Thatcher's pleasure. #NXTTakeOver @FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/l96hXBsxi2
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) August 22, 2020
... but The Prinxe battled back, largely with kicks that took the wind out of Thatcher.
Wait for it.... and then wait for it again...#WWENXT #NXTTakeOver @FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/vBYxJEPxiu
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 22, 2020
A Coup de Grace attempt aggravated the ankle injury Finn suffered in their Triple Threat encounter.
You can see the wheels turning in Timothy Thatcher's eyes.
— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2020
When he sees an opponent's weakness, he MUST exploit it. #NXTTakeOver @FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/QQp3gtjiVu
The man who holds the record for most TakeOver victories fought through the pain though, and didn’t let it stop him from attempting another Coup de Grace. That one hit, and a 1916 followed.
After a strong opener, Bálor now has 12 TakeOver wins. If Thatcher is going to get revenge, it’ll have to come on another night.
For a complete rundown of everything that happened in Orlando tonight, head to our live blog here.