As noted, WWE held their first NXT TakeOver special of 2019, as NXT TakeOver: Phoenix 2019 went down on Saturday night to kick off WWE Royal Rumble 2019 weekend in Arizona.
In the opening bout of the show, which aired live via the WWE Network from the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, The Undisputed ERA — Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong — lost the NXT World Tag-Team Championships to the War Raiders, who made an awesome, elaborate ring entrance to kick off the show.
It's the end of an era… and the time to #JoinTheRaid.#WarRaiders @WarBeardHanson & @RAYMONDxROWE are your NEW #WWENXT #TagTeamChampions! #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/eVLRnDNYqW
— WWE (@WWE) January 27, 2019
Later in the evening, Johnny Gargano defeated Ricochet in an early candidate for 2019 Match of the Year to become the third-ever NXT North American Champion.
Call him #JohnnyWrestling.
Call him #JohnnyTakeOver.
Call him your NEW NXT #NorthAmericanChampion, @JohnnyGargano.#NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/D96Yhvle0r— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 27, 2019
Click Here: Golf special
After the show, as always, Triple H will hold his usual NXT TakeOver post-show Q&A with fans via Facebook Live. Check it out by following the information shared in the following tweet posted on WWE’s official Twitter page:
For complete results of Saturday night’s special, click here: NXT TakeOver: Phoenix Results (1/26)
- SPOILERS: List Of Potential Surprise Royal Rumble Entrants Spotted In Phoenix
Hear @TripleH's reactions to #NXTTakeOver: Phoenix in an exclusive LIVE interview on his official @Facebook page, immediately following the show!https://t.co/mUMXOWfCak pic.twitter.com/EJvIoPd6E0
— WWE (@WWE) January 27, 2019
…and make war.
Only 30 minutes in and WOW…FOLLOW THAT! Congratulations to @RAYMONDxROWE and @WarBeardHanson… the NEW @WWENXT Tag Team Champions! #NXTTakeOver: Phoenix #WeAreNXT pic.twitter.com/mlnVpzGCRr— Triple H (@TripleH) January 27, 2019