NXT is reaching into its past to redefine its future.
Samoa Joe returned to the ring at TakeOver 36 and defeated Karrion Kross to become the new NXT champion. This was Joe’s first match since before the COVID-19 pandemic began over a year-and-a-half ago, as well as his first in NXT since 2017. The match served as the TakeOver headliner, Joe finished it off when he hit a muscle buster, handing Kross his first defeat in NXT.
Joe provides a legitimate presence to the brand, with his win giving him the title of NXT’s first-ever three-time champ.