NXT TakeOver: Chicago II

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 2017, NXT held an event titled NXT TakeOver: Chicago, which took place at the Allstate Arena in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois. A second Chicago event, titled Chicago II, was scheduled to be held at the same venue on June 16, 2018, as a support show for that year's Money in the Bank pay-per-view. Chicago II was the 20th NXT TakeOver event.[3]

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.[4][5]

On the April 25 episode of NXT, Adam Cole defeated Oney Lorcan to retain the NXT North American Championship after interference from The Undisputed Era. After the match, The Undisputed Era attacked Lorcan. Danny Burch came out to help Lorcan, but was stopped by Cole.[6] The following week, after Pete Dunne defeated Roderick Strong by disqualification, Lorcan and Burch saved Dunne from The Undisputed Era.[7] On the May 16 episode of NXT, Dunne, Lorcan and Burch defeated The Undisputed Era in a six-man tag team match.[8] The following week, a tag team match between The Undisputed Era and Lorcan and Burch for the NXT Tag Team Championship was scheduled for TakeOver: Chicago.[9]

On the May 30 episode of NXT, Lars Sullivan was revealed as Aleister Black's challenger for the NXT Championship. A match between the two for the title was scheduled for TakeOver: Chicago.[10]

At TakeOver: New Orleans, Johnny Gargano defeated Tommaso Ciampa in an unsanctioned match.[11] On the April 25 episode of NXT, Gargano was scheduled to face Aleister Black for the NXT Championship, but Ciampa attacked Gargano to prevent the match from happening.[6] On the May 16 episode, Gargano's wife Candice LeRae slapped Ciampa.[8] The next week, Gargano called Ciampa out, which led to a brawl between the two in which Gargano was inadvertently knocked into his wife.[9] The next week, a street fight between the two was scheduled for TakeOver: Chicago.[10]

At TakeOver: New Orleans, Ricochet and Velveteen Dream both unsuccessfully competed in a ladder match to crown the first NXT North American Champion.[11] On the May 9 episode of NXT, Velveteen Dream confronted Ricochet.[12] A match between the two was scheduled for the following week, but the match ended in a no contest when Lars Sullivan attacked both wrestlers.[8] On the May 23 episode of NXT, Sullivan defeated both men in a handicap match after Dream walked out on Ricochet.[9] On the May 30 episode of NXT, a match between the two was scheduled for TakeOver: Chicago.[10]

On the May 30 episode of NXT, after Shayna Baszler defeated Dakota Kai to retain the NXT Women's Championship, Baszler continued to attack Kai. Nikki Cross came out and made the save. Afterwards, Cross ran out with the title.[10] The following week, Cross and Baszler confronted each, leading to a match between the two for the title at TakeOver: Chicago.[13]

It was also announced that former Indianapolis Colts punter and current Barstool Sports personality Pat McAfee would join the pre-show panel.[14]

The event opened with The Undisputed Era (Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong) defending the NXT Tag Team Championship against Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch. O'Reilly and Strong performed "Total Elimination" on Lorcan to retain the title.[15]

Next, Ricochet faced Velveteen Dream. Ricochet performed a 630º senton on Dream to score the win.[15]

After that, Shayna Baszler defended the NXT Women's Championship against Nikki Cross. In the end, Baszler applied the "Kirifuda Clutch" on Cross. Cross passed out, thus Bazler retained the title by technical submission.[15]

In the penultimate match, Aleister Black defended the NXT Championship against Lars Sullivan.Sullivan performed a powerslam on the apron and diving headbutt for a nearfall. Black performed a "Black Mass" for a nearfall. The match ended when Sullivan attempted a "Freak Accident", but Black countered and performed two "Black Masses" on Sullivan to retain the title, marking Sullivan's first pinfall loss in NXT.[15]

In the main event, Johnny Gargano faced Tommaso Ciampa. Before Gargano made his entrance for the match, Candice LeRae, Gargano's wife, handed Gargano a crutch to use as a weapon during the match. Gargano and Ciampa fought in the arena stands, where Gargano performed a crossbody on Ciampa off a stand. Ciampa threw Gargano, who was trapped in a chair, into the steel steps and threw a trash can at Gargano. Gargano struck Ciampa with a belt and performed a superkick into a trash can, which Ciampa was trapped in. Ciampa performed "Project Ciampa" and a running knee strike on Gargano for a near-fall. Ciampa performed another running knee strike using a trash can lid and an "Air Raid Crash" on Gargano onto the steel steps for a near-fall. Ciampa removed the ring canvas to expose the wooden floor boards. Gargano began to target Ciampa's leg, striking his leg with a chair. After Gargano collided with a trash can, which was wedged in the corner, Ciampa applied the "Garga-No-Escape", only for Gargano to escape. Ciampa struck Gargano with a crutch for a near-fall. Ciampa taunted Gargano on the stage, reminding him of Ciampa's attack on Gargano at NXT TakeOver: Chicago the previous year. Ciampa removed Gargano's wedding ring, spat on it and threw the ring. Gargano performed an "Air Raid Crash" on Ciampa off a production crate through two tables. As medical personnel attended Ciampa, Gargano, realizing what Ciampa did to his wedding ring, shoved a doctor into the referee and attacked Ciampa. Gargano applied the "Garga-No-Escape", with Ciampa submitting, however, officials forced Gargano to leave Ciampa, leading to Gargano attacking the officials. Gargano used handcuffs to bind Ciampa and performed superkicks on a kneeling Ciampa. Gargano again applied the "Garga-No-Escape", but more officials forced Gargano to leave Ciampa. Gargano exited the ring and attacked the officials. In the climax, Ciampa performed a DDT on Gargano onto the exposed floor board to win the match.[15]