WWE NXT: May 15, 2014

ORLANDO, Fla. — The card for NXT Takeover began to take shape this week, as Sami Zayn, Tyson Kidd and Tyler Breeze battled in a Triple Threat Match with an NXT Championship opportunity on the line. Also, NXT Tag Team Champions The Ascension accepted the challenge from a pair of newcomers for the live, WWE Network special event. The semi-finals of the NXT Women’s Championship Tournament started this week, with Charlotte taking on the feisty Alexa Bliss for a spot in the championship match.

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The Ascension def. Buddy Murphy & Elias Sampson
With several new teams making their presence felt in NXT, The Ascension set out to send a message to any duo thinking of challenging for the NXT Tag Team Titles: Think again. Konnor & Viktor absolutely demolished Buddy Murphy, not even allowing Elias Sampson into the match before hitting the Fall of Man to claim yet another victory.

After the bout, The Ascension grabbed the microphone and begged for more duos to destroy. The champions had their prayers answered by the team of Kalisto & El Local. The masked marvels issued a challenge, which Konnor & Viktor seemed more than happy to accept.  The two duos will square off for the NXT Tag Team Championship at NXT Takeover on May 29.

Takeover preview: The Ascension vs. Kalisto & El Local

Charlotte def. Alexa Bliss (NXT Women’s Championship Tournament Semi-Finals)
After pulling off a huge upset in her debut against Alicia Fox, Alexa Bliss was hoping her good fortune would continue this week against Charlotte. The second-generation competitor nearly got caught with the same rollup that beat Fox, which infuriated Charlotte. The daughter of Ric Flair took control with a knee to the gut of Bliss. After slowing down the glittery Diva, Charlotte used her size and strength advantage to wear down Bliss. The beating took its effect and left the newcomer to fall prey to Charlotte’s trademark move, Bow Down to the Queen. With her victory, Charlotte advances to the finals, where she will face either Natalya or her fellow BFF, Sasha Banks, for the NXT Women’s Title at Takeover.

Mojo Rawley def. Aiden English
After “The Artiste” Aiden English tried to sneak attack him two weeks ago, Mojo Rawley was out to make sure the singing Superstar wouldn’t be performing an encore. Mojo’s explosiveness kept him one step ahead of English, until “The Artiste” took out his knee with a hard kick. English pounced on offense, slamming Rawley’s head into the corner and driving him into the canvas with a DDT. Mojo battled back and burst out of the corner, hitting the Hyperdrive for the win.

Colin Cassady def. Angelo Dawkins
Seven-footer Colin Cassady came to fight this week on NXT.  He showed aggression right out of the gate, stunning Angelo Dawkins with a big knee before unleashing a flurry of clubbing forearms. Not even the presence of CJ Parker, who walked through the NXT Universe with a sign spreading his environmentally friendly message, could distract the powerhouse. Big Cass dominated Dawkins, landing a vicious big boot before putting him away with the East River Crossing.

Tyson Kidd def. Sami Zayn and Tyler Breeze (NXT Championship No. 1 Contender’s Match)
After the controversial ending to last week’s No. 1 Contender’s Battle Royal, Tyler Breeze, Sami Zayn and Tyson Kidd have been eager to get back in the ring and brawl for the right to face Adrian Neville for the NXT Championship at Takeover. The three Superstars took their time sizing each other up after the opening bell before Kidd made the first move, stunning both Breeze and Zayn with an array of kicks. None of the three were able to gain a distinct advantage, with one of their foes waiting in the wings to cut him off at the right moment.

Breeze nearly had the match won with a Beauty Shot that surprised Zayn, until Kidd cut him off. Zayn was dumped outside the ring while Prince Pretty battled Kidd. The model thought he had a reprieve after decking Kidd with a forearm from the arena floor, until Zayn got a second wind and executed a breathtaking dive over the ropes.

The French Canadian phenomenon went on a rampage, landing a series of devastating moves on both of his foes. With Kidd and Breeze battling in the corner, Zayn knocked Prince Pretty for a loop with the Helluva Kick. The veteran Kidd then dumped Zayn out of the ring and hit a picture-perfect elbow drop off the ropes and pinned Breeze to win the match! A visibly disappointed Zayn was a split-second away from breaking up the pin, but came up short. In two weeks at NXT Takeover on May 29, Tyson Kidd will challenge Adrian Neville for the NXT Championship on WWE Network! 

Takeover preview: NXT Championship Match