NXT TakeOver: San Antonio DIY v The Authors of Pain

NXT Tag Team Champions #DIY face their toughest challenge to date at TakeOver: San Antonio, when they defend their titles against the devastating Authors of Pain.

Capturing the hearts of the NXT Universe since their arrival in 2015, #DIY’s never-say-die attitude makes them nearly impossible to root against. They seemingly had the world in their corner at TakeOver: Toronto, when they defeated The Revival in an epic 2-out-of-3 Falls Match to win the NXT Tag Team Titles. Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa followed up on their Match of the Year victory with thrilling defenses against Akira Tozawa & Tajiri in Japan, and TM61 in Australia.

Meanwhile, after Akam & Rezar won the 2016 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, Paul Ellering made it clear that his monsters’ next chapter was already outlined. The Authors of Pain were coming after the titles in San Antonio, no matter who held them. Until then, the towering titans continued to carve a path of destruction, annihilating anyone who stepped in their path.

The champions’ and challengers’ paths converged on Jan. 11. After #DIY successfully retained their titles in a grueling rematch against The Revival, Ellering emerged to distract #DIY while Akam & Rezar blindsided the champions, laying them out in the middle of the ring with the Super Collider. The Authors of Pain grabbed the titles and held them up, giving the NXT Universe a preview of what may lie ahead for the champions in Texas.

Are Gargano & Ciampa able to slay Ellering’s beasts, or have The Authors of Pain written the final chapter of #DIY’s reign as NXT Tag Team Champions?