NXT Takeover: The End: Austin Aries v Shinsuke Nakamura

Two of the biggest signings in NXT history will clash for the first time ever at NXT TakeOver: The End…, when Shinsuke Nakamura locks horns with Austin Aries.

The two sent shockwaves through the NXT Universe when they arrived earlier this year, with both men making their debuts at TakeOver: Dallas during WrestleMania Week. Aries made his first match in NXT a successful one with a big win over Baron Corbin, while Nakamura bested Sami Zayn in a battle that was declared an instant classic before it was even over.

Since then, Nakamura has captured the attention of the NXT Universe like no other competitor, while Aries has, self-admittedly, been flying under the radar. Both men have been undefeated since their NXT debuts, even joining forces in tag team action to dispatch of Blake & Murphy in vicious fashion on May 18.

However, any budding friendship between the two ended just one week later, when Aries entered the ring to declare that he wouldn’t be flying under the radar anymore. “The Greatest Man That Ever Lived” stated that he was going to be the next NXT Champion, a claim with which Nakamura took issue. The Japanese Superstar interrupted Aries to state that the NXT Title was his for the taking. NXT General Manager took advantage of the situation and made the match for TakeOver, hoping to find out who the better competitor is.