The 2019 NXT TakeOver: Toronto was the 26th NXT TakeOver and the second and final TakeOver: Toronto professional wrestling livestreaming event produced by WWE. It was held exclusively for wrestlers from the promotion's NXT brand division. The event aired exclusively on the WWE Network and took place on August 10, 2019, at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as part of that year's SummerSlam weekend.
| NXT TakeOver: Toronto | |||
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 Promotional poster featuring various NXT wrestlers | |||
| Promotion | WWE | ||
| Brand(s) | NXT | ||
| Date | August 10, 2019 | ||
| City | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | ||
| Venue | Scotiabank Arena | ||
| Attendance | 13,735[1] | ||
| WWE Network event chronology | |||
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| NXT TakeOver chronology | |||
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| NXT TakeOver: Toronto chronology | |||
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Seven matches were contested at the event, including two taped for the following week's episode of NXT. In the main event, Adam Cole defeated Johnny Gargano in a two out of three falls match to retain the NXT Championship. The undercard saw NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler, NXT North American Champion Velveteen Dream, and NXT Tag Team Champions Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) retain their titles.
Production
editBackground
edit
TakeOver was a series of professional wrestling shows that began in May 2014, as WWE's then-developmental league NXT held their second WWE Network-exclusive event, billed as TakeOver.[2] In subsequent months, the "TakeOver" moniker became the brand used by WWE for all of their NXT live specials. In 2016, NXT held an event titled NXT TakeOver: Toronto, which took place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the Air Canada Centre. On August 27, 2018, a second TakeOver: Toronto event was scheduled to be held on August 10, 2019, as the 26th NXT TakeOver event. It took place at the same venue, which had been renamed to Scotiabank Arena in 2018, and was a support show for that year's SummerSlam pay-per-view.[3]
Storylines
editThe card included matches that resulted from scripted storylines. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the NXT brand, while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television program, NXT.[4][5]
At TakeOver: XXV, Adam Cole defeated Johnny Gargano to win the NXT Championship.[6] On the July 17 episode of NXT, Cole and Gargano confronted each other and a brawl ensued.[7] NXT General Manager William Regal then scheduled the two in a two out of three falls match for the title at TakeOver: Toronto with Cole and Gargano respectively choosing the stipulations for the first two falls; however, Regal would decide the final stipulation if a tie occurred.[8] On the July 24 episode of NXT, Gargano and Cole chose their stipulations. Gargano chose a street fight, while Cole chose a singles match.[9]
At TakeOver: XXV, The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) and The Undisputed Era (Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish) competed in a fatal four-way tag team ladder match for the vacant NXT Tag Team Championship, which The Street Profits won.[6] On July 22, a title match between the two teams was scheduled for TakeOver: Toronto.[10]
Since TakeOver: XXV, Candice LeRae became involved in Io Shirai's feud with NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler.[6] After Shirai failed to defeat Baszler for the title in a Steel Cage match on the June 26 episode of NXT, Shirai attacked LeRae, turning heel.[11] Shirai explained her actions on the July 10 episode, while debuting new entrance music, stating that she didn't need any friends.[12] LeRae then interfered in Shirai's match on the July 24 episode,[9] and the following week, William Regal told LeRae that she would be facing Shirai at TakeOver: Toronto.[13]
On the April 24 episode of NXT, Mia Yim talked about how dangerous NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler was, alongside Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir.[14] After Yim won her match on the July 3 episode, she stated that she would be coming for the NXT Women's Championship.[15] The following week, Baszler stated that Yim was not ready.[12] Yim attacked Shafir in the parking lot on the July 17 episode[7] and Duke in a training ring the following week.[9] On the July 31 episode, Baszler and Yim agreed to a title match at TakeOver: Toronto.[13]
On the July 24 episode of NXT, NXT North American Champion Velveteen Dream talked about how great Roderick Strong of the Undisputed Era was when Strong interrupted. Strong suggested a title match for TakeOver: Toronto when Pete Dunne interrupted and performed his finger snap on Strong before eyeing the title. Afterwards, William Regal announced that Dream would be defending the NXT North American Championship against Strong and Dunne in a triple threat match at TakeOver: Toronto.[9]
Rescheduled match
editOn the June 19 episode of NXT, the NXT Breakout Tournament was announced.[16] Jordan Myles and Cameron Grimes won their respective semifinal matches on the July 24 and 31 episodes, respectively,[9][13] and were scheduled to face each other in the finals at TakeOver: Toronto.[17] However, on August 8, the match was rescheduled to the August 14 episode of NXT.[18]
Event
edit| Role: | Name: |
|---|---|
| Commentators | Mauro Ranallo |
| Nigel McGuinness | |
| Beth Phoenix | |
| Ring announcer | Alicia Taylor |
| Referees | Drake Wuertz |
| Eddie Orengo | |
| Darryl Sharma | |
| Jessika Carr | |
| Pre-show panel | Charly Caruso |
| Sam Roberts | |
| Pat McAfee |
Preliminary matches
editThe event opened with The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) defending the NXT Tag Team Championship against The Undisputed Era (Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly). Ford performed a Frog Splash on O'Reilly to retain the titles.[19]
Next, Io Shirai faced Candice LeRae. Shirai forced LeRae to pass out to a Grounded Koji Clutch to win the match by submission.[19]
After that, The Velveteen Dream defended the NXT North American Championship against Roderick Strong and Pete Dunne. Strong performed the End of Heartache on Dunne but Dream performed a Purple Rainmaker on Strong and Dunne. Dream pinned Dunne to retain the title.[19]
In the penultimate bout, Shayna Baszler defended the NXT Women's Championship against Mia Yim. Baszler forced Yim to submit to a Figure Four Headscissors to retain the title.[19]
Main event
editIn the main event, Adam Cole defended the NXT Championship against Johnny Gargano in a 2 out of 3 Falls match. The first fall was a singles match. Gargano was disqualified for striking Cole with a chair, meaning Cole won the first fall. The second fall was a Street Fight. Gargano forced Cole to submit to the Garga-No-Escape to win the second fall. The third fall was a Barbed Wire Steel Cage match. Cole performed a Panama Sunrise on Gargano for a near-fall. Cole performed a Panama Sunrise off a ladder on Gargano for a near-fall. Gargano performed an Avalanche Front Flip Piledriver on Cole for a two count. Atop the cage, Cole and Gargano fell through a table. Cole pinned Gargano to retain the title 2-1.[19]
Aftermath
editJohnny Gargano made his first appearance since TakeOver: Toronto on the September 11 episode of NXT. He talked about his career on the NXT brand when he was interrupted by Shane Thorne. After Thorne mocked Gargano's accomplishments, Gargano performed a Superkick on Thorne, and stated that he would be staying with the brand.[20]
A rematch between The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) and The Undisputed Era (Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly) for the NXT Tag Team Championship was scheduled for the August 28 episode of NXT,[21] which The Undisputed Era won.[22]
The 2019 TakeOver: Toronto would be the last in the TakeOver: Toronto chronology, which was a subseries of TakeOvers that were held at the same venue in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was also the last NXT TakeOver held before the NXT brand became recognized as one of WWE's three main brands in September,[23] although the brand reverted, in part, to its developmental roots in September 2021.[24]
Results
edit- ^ There was a stipulation for each fall. The stipulation for the first fall was a singles match (chosen by Cole), the second fall was a street fight (chosen by Gargano), and the third fall was a barbed wire steel cage match (chosen by NXT General Manager William Regal).
References
edit- ^ Toro, Carlos (August 11, 2019). "Fight-Size Update: Matt Riddle, TakeOver Attendance, RUSH, Hulk Hogan Birthday". Fightful. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ Howell, Nolan (May 29, 2014). "Neville tops Kidd at NXT Takeover". canoe.ca. Archived from the original on July 4, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
- ^ Crosby, Jack (August 27, 2018). "WWE SummerSlam heading to Toronto in August 2019 after a four-year run in Brooklyn". CBSSports. Archived from the original on August 28, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ^ Grabianowski, Ed (January 13, 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
- ^ "Live & Televised Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
- ^ a b c Silverstein, Adam (June 2, 2019) [June 1, 2019]. "NXT TakeOver 25 results, recap, grades: Two new champions and an incredible main event". CBSSports. Archived from the original on June 2, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
- ^ a b Wells, Kelly (July 17, 2019). "7/17 NXT TV Report: Adam Cole defends, Apollo Crews vs. Kushida, Matt Riddle vs. Arturo Ruas, Bronson Reed vs. Dexter Lumis". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
- ^ Sapp, Sean Ross (July 18, 2019). "Three Stages Of Hell NXT Championship Match Announced For NXT Takeover Toronto II". Fightful. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Wells, Kelly (July 24, 2019). "7/24 NXT TV Report: Lee vs. Priest, Myles vs. Garza, Shirai, Belair, Gargano and Cole choose Stipulations". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on August 1, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (July 22, 2019). "Undisputed Era Challenge Street Profits For NXT Tag Titles At TakeOver: Toronto, Updated Card". Fightful. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- ^ James, Justin (June 26, 2019). "6/26 NXT TV Report: Baszler defends against Shirai in a steel cage, Street Profits vs. Forgotten Sons, Wilde vs. Garza, Lee". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- ^ a b Wells, Kelly (July 10, 2019). "7/10 NXT TV Report: Street Profits vs. Lorcan & Burch, Myles vs. Boa in Breakout Tournament match, Priest vs. Loco, Io Shirai appears in front of fans as heel". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ^ a b c James, Justin (July 31, 2019). "7/31 NXT TV Report: Strong vs. Dunne, Reed vs. Grimes, Surprise Return, Two Women's Matches at TakeOver". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on August 1, 2019. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- ^ James, Justin (April 24, 2019). "4/24 NXT TV Report: Gargano vs. Strong, Undisputed Tension, War Raiders vs. Street Profits". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on March 5, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
- ^ Wells, Kelly (July 4, 2019). "7/3 NXT TV Report: Grimes vs. Swerve in Breakout Tourney, Yim vs. Aliyah, Kushida wrestles, Belair vs. Zuniga, Cole bugs Gargano family". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on July 4, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ^ James, Justin (June 19, 2019). "6/19 NXT TV Report: Undisputed Era vs. Dream, Riddle, & Breeze, Priest's re-debut". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on June 20, 2019. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (July 31, 2019). "Cameron Grimes Faces Jordan Myles In NXT Breakout Tournament Final At TakeOver: Toronto, Updated Card". Fightful. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (August 8, 2019). "Breakout Tournament Finals And Breezango vs. Forgotten Sons Set For 8/14 NXT". Fightful. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Moore, John (August 10, 2019). "08/10 Moore's NXT Takeover: Toronto live review – Adam Cole vs. Johnny Gargano in a best of three falls match for the NXT Championship, Shayna Baszler vs. Mia Yim for the NXT Women's Championship, The Street Profits vs. Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong for the NXT Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- ^ Wells, Kelly (September 12, 2019). "9/11 NXT TV Review: Gargano's future, Ripley vs. Baszler, Dunne vs. Garza, Grimes, Priest, NXT on USA hype". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ^ Wells, Kelly (August 21, 2019). "8/21 NXT TV Recap: Riddle vs. Dain, Yim-Baszler continuing, Damian Priest, Dominik Dijakovic returns". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ^ Wells, Kelly (August 28, 2019). "8/28 NXT TV Recap: Street Profits vs. Undisputed Era rematch, Lee vs. Dijakovic, Rhea Ripley debuts, Shirai-Lerae saga". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ^ Silverstein, Adam (August 20, 2019). "WWE moves NXT to USA Network, expands show to two hours starting in September". CBSSports. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- ^ Wrestlenomics Staff (October 4, 2021). "The future of WWE NXT 2.0 on the USA Network". Wrestlenomics. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- ^ a b Clapp, John (August 14, 2019). "WWE NXT results, Aug. 14, 2019: Myles triumphs over Grimes in Breakout Tournament Finals". WWE. Archived from the original on August 15, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ Melok, Bobby (August 10, 2019). "NXT Tag Team Champions The Street Profits def. The Undisputed ERA". WWE. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- ^ Melok, Bobby (August 10, 2019). "Io Shirai def. Candice LeRae". WWE. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- ^ Melok, Bobby (August 10, 2019). "NXT North American Champion The Velveteen Dream def. Roderick Strong and Pete Dunne (Triple Threat Match)". WWE. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- ^ Melok, Bobby (August 10, 2019). "NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler def. Mia Yim". WWE. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- ^ Melok, Bobby (August 10, 2019). "NXT Champion Adam Cole def. Johnny Gargano (2-out-of-3 Falls Match)". WWE. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- ^ Moore, John (August 14, 2019). "8/14 NXT TV results: Moore's live review of Jordan Myles vs. Cameron Grimes in the NXT Breakout Tournament finals, "The Forgotten Sons" Steve Cutler and Wesley Blake vs. "Breezango" Tyler Breeze and Fandango". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on August 15, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2023.