NXT TakeOver: Phoenix

TakeOver is a series of professional wrestling shows that began on May 29, 2014, as WWE's then developmental league NXT held their second WWE Network exclusive live broadcast billed as TakeOver.[2] In subsequent months, the "TakeOver" moniker became the brand used by WWE for all of their NXT live specials. Phoenix was the 23rd NXT TakeOver event.

The card comprised five matches. The matches resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the NXT brand, while storylines were produced on their weekly television program, NXT.[3][4]

On the July 25, 2018 episode of NXT, Tommaso Ciampa defeated Aleister Black to win the NXT Championship when interference by Johnny Gargano, who was feuding with Ciampa at the time, backfired and instead he cost Black the title.[5] After their interaction, in August, Black was injured by Gargano backstage, preventing him from getting his rematch against Ciampa.[6] Black returned a few months later and on the December 5 episode of NXT, a match between the two was scheduled for TakeOver: Phoenix.[7]

On the December 26, 2018 episode of NXT, after three weeks of qualifying matches, Bianca Belair defeated Io Shirai, Lacey Evans and Mia Yim in a fatal four-way match to become the new number one contender for the NXT Women's Championship.[8][9]

On the January 9, 2019, episode of NXT, War Raiders attacked The Undisputed Era during EC3's match with Adam Cole. General Manager of NXT, William Regal announced via Twitter that at TakeOver: Phoenix, The Undisputed Era's Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong would defend their NXT Tag Team Championship against The War Raiders.[10]

On the December 19, 2018 episode of NXT, Johnny Gargano defeated Aleister Black in a steel cage match after interference from Tommaso Ciampa. The following week, via a video recording, Ciampa suggested that Gargano go after the NXT North American Championship so he and Gargano could "take over the world" in NXT. On the January 9, 2019 episode of NXT, champion Ricochet told Gargano that he only needed to ask for a title shot, though he questioned if Gargano would ask face-to-face or attack from behind, referencing Gargano's attack on Black. Ciampa came out to further the conflict between Ricochet and Gargano, but was attacked by Black. This confrontation distracted Ricochet, allowing Gargano to give him a superkick, and the match was made official later in the night.[11]

The event opened with The Undisputed Era (Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong) defending the NXT Tag Team Championship against War Raiders (Hanson and Rowe). Hanson and Rowe performed "Fallout" on O'Reilly to win the title.

Next, Matt Riddle faced Kassius Ohno. Riddle forced Ohno to submit whilst executing arm trap elbow strikes to win.

After that, Ricochet defended the NXT North American Championship against Johnny Gargano. Gargano applied the "Garga-No-Escape", but Ricochet escaped. Gargano performed a slingshot DDT on Ricochet for a near-fall. Ricochet applied the "Garga-No-Escape", but Gargano escaped. Gargano performed a brainbuster onto the exposed concrete outside the ring and a second slingshot DDT on Ricochet to win the title.

In the penultimate match, Shayna Baszler defended the NXT Women's Championship against Bianca Belair. Belair attempted a 450° splash, but with the help from Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke, Baszler avoided the move and applied the "Kirifuda Clutch". Belair passed out, meaning Baszler retained the title by technical submission.

In the main event, Tommaso Ciampa defended the NXT Championship against Aleister Black. Ciampa performed a "Fairytale Ending" on Black for a near-fall. Black performed a "Black Mass" on Ciampa, but Ciampa performed an elevated DDT and a second "Fairytale Ending" on Black for a near-fall. Ciampa performed two more "Fairytale Endings" on Black to retain the title. As the show closed, Ciampa and Johnny Gargano stood at the top of the stage with their respective championships.