Keith Lee Defeats Johnny Gargano, Retains North American Championship At NXT Takeover: In Your House
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 07: Keith Lee of the USA fights Zack Sabre Jr of Great Britain during the Progress Wrestling Super Strong Style 16 at Alexandra Palace on May 7, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
At NXT TakeOver: In Your House, Keith Lee defended the NXT North American Championship against Johnny Gargano. The competitors have been involved in an increasingly personal feud in recent weeks. Lee easily overpowered Gargano early on and matched his quickness. The champion caught a diving Gargano outside the ring and caught him again when he dove off the apron. Gargano raked Lee’s injured eye, but Lee slammed him onto the apron. Gargano tried to leave the arena, but the door on the set was locked. Lee slammed him into the door and tossed him onto the “lawn” on the set. Gargano gained the upper hand and grounded Lee. Johnny Wrestling targeted Lee’s injured hand, which allowed Gargano to rock the champion with a kick. Gargano continued to target Lee’s eye and his hand. Gargano grounded Lee and mocked the champion.
Awwwwww. #NXTTakeOver @JohnnyGargano @RealKeithLee pic.twitter.com/MVGwvXFwNS
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 7, 2020
Lee persevered and dropped Gargano with a backbreaker. Both men traded blows and Gargano countered a Spirit Bomb into an armbar. Lee floored Gargano with a clothesline. Gargano countered another powerbomb into a sunset flip for a two count. Both men exchanged counters and Lee planted Gargano with a slam. Johnny Wrestling dove onto Lee and hit a tornado DDT outside the ring. He struggled to get Lee back in the ring and stopped the referee from counting Lee out. Lee Pounced Gargano through the plexiglass barricade. The champion carried Gargano back to the ring, but Candice LeRae distracted him. Mia Yim chased LeRae into the ring and brawled with her. With the referee distracted, Gargano jabbed a key into Lee’s eye and hit One Final Beat for a near fall. Gargano hit three superkicks for three near falls.
Wait for it…. #NXTTakeOver @RealKeithLee @JohnnyGargano pic.twitter.com/2CyRWsucuB
— WWE (@WWE) June 8, 2020
Lee used one arm to hit the Spirit Bomb. The champion hit the Big Bang Catastrophe to win the math and retain his championship.