Shinsuke Nakamura made his WWE NXT debut tonight at NXT Takeover Dallas, and him and his opponent Sami Zayn wrestled what most online are already calling the match of the year.
Nakamura won the bout, and below are detailed results courtesy of WZ’s Lovell Porter, as well as video footage of the match and fan reaction:
Zayn looks to be all business tonight. Nakamura and Zayn meet in the middle of the ring. Zayn tries to lock up, but Nakamura ducks under him and struts away. Nakamura knees Zayn in the gut, takes him down by his head then tries to stomp Zayn’s head in. Zayn narrowly escapes getting his head separated from his shoulders. Zayn manages to lock in an arm bar followed by the corkscrew Zayn arm drag combo. Nakamura retreats to the corner. Zayn motions to Nakamura to bring it. Nakamura responds by kicking Zayn in the chest and locking in an arm bar. Zayn catches Nakamura foot, but Nakamura spins and enzguri Zayn. Nakamura, but Nakamura tries good vibrations, but Zayn grabs Nakamura foot and stands up. Nakamura jumps in the air and enzguri Zayn again.
Zayn surprises Nakamura with a suplex, followed by a sick kick for a two count. Zayn sends Nakamura to the outside. Nakamura hangs Zayn up on the rope. Nakamura pulls Zayn down to the apron and destroys him with a running knee. Nakamura gets on the apron and crushes Zayn with a diving knee to the back of the head. Nakamura gets back in the ring and lands good vibrations. Nakamura calls for a running knee in the corner, but Zayn moves out of the way. Nakamura picks up Zayn, drapes him across the top rope and knees him right in the gut. Zayn pulls down the top rope as Nakamura is running towards him. Nakamura tumbles to the outside. Zayn goes up and over the top rope on to Nakamura. Zayn lands a top rope cross body for a two count.
Nakamura knees Zayn in the head over and over again. Nakamura hits the ropes and runs right into a Michinoku driver by Zayn. Nakamura and Zayn trade strikes in the middle of the ring. Nakamura’s nose is bleeding. Zayn hits the ropes and runs into multiple elbows by Nakamura. Zayn collapses on the ropes. Nakamura kicks Zayn in the head over and over again. Nakamura hits the ropes, but Zayn clotheslines him. Zayn attempts another but Nakamura rolls into an arm bar attempt. Zayn tries to block it, but Nakamura transitions into a triangle. Zayn steps on Nakamura’s head to break the hold. Zayn returns the favor, kicking Nakamura in the faces over and over again. Zayn locks in the Koji clutch. Nakamura turns it into a pin, which forces Zayn to release the hold. Nakamura floors Zayn with a step up enzguri. Zayn misses the Helluva kick. Nakamura hits an inverted exploder. Nakamura misses the running knee. Zayn hits the blue thunder bomb. Nakamura rolls to the outside. Zayn goes for his diving DDT, but Nakamura kicks him in the head. Nakamura Bomayes Zayn in the face for the win!
Winner- Shinsuke Nakamura
.@ShinsukeN picks up a hard-fought victory over @ILikeSamiZayn!! #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/EafPzeOGup
— WWE (@WWE) April 2, 2016
OMG @ShinsukeN @iLikeSamiZayn that was amazing! Thank you.#NXTTakeoverDallas
— CFO$ (@CFOSofficial) April 2, 2016
Fantastic Match #ZaynvsNakamura. #NXTTakeOver! Had a blast covering Nakamura’s matches from New Japan.
— Joshie Lopez (@WZJoshLopez) April 2, 2016
What a beautiful masterpiece. This is why I love wrestling. Still have goosebumps.
— Dewey Foley (@DeweyHaveTo) April 2, 2016
Everyone is going to say how great Nakamura was in this match, but it takes two to tango. Well done by Nakamura AND Zayn. #NXTTakeoverDallas
— WrestleZone.com (@WRESTLEZONEcom) April 2, 2016
“Is he related to The Rock tho?” pic.twitter.com/9M5Bn2kvQd
— James Darnell (@CMPuLs3) April 2, 2016
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
