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Welcome to PWInsider.com's coverage of NXT Takeover Phoenix. Make sure to check out all of the news stories on the site as well as the Takeover preview audio, hotlines, and more. Remember to follow PWInsider for full coverage after the special and coverage for Sunday's Royal Rumble.
Your hosts is Charly Caruso. She is joined by Sam Roberts and Pat McAfee.
We go to Sarah Schreiber in the back and she is with the Year End Awards Monitor.
We see Ricochet arrive at the arena earlier today.
We have a video package.
Charly asks who is Johnny Gargano. Sam says Johnny probably doesn't know who he is. Sam says Johnny has the match of the night but loses. If you keep losing, does it matter if you have match of the night? If he keeps losing, it does not matter. Pat says Johnny has pushed the greats to the limit. He says that he feels Johnny is focused. Pat says that Johnny puts on a show every time. Sam says that Johnny is focused but he keeps losing.
We take a look at the nominees for Breakout Star of the Year.
We go to Sarah to announce the winner and it is . . .
Ricochet.
Ricochet says they have had an incredible 2018 and if he had to pinpoint one moment, it would be him winning the North American Championship.
He is asked how will he maintain this level in 2019. Ricochet says he will do it when he beats Johnny Gargano and shows that there is One and Only North American champion.
We go to commercial.
It is time to take a look at the match of the year from 2018 . . .
Johnny Gargano versus Andrade Almas at Takeover in January.
Johnny Gargano is in the back and he is asked about being in the match of the year and his match tonight. Johnny says his name and match of the year go hand in hand. He won it before. Last year was the arrival of Johnny Takeover. Zelina Vega says it was match of the year because Andrade was in it. You didn't win. What have you done since that match? Zelina mentions that Almas has moved on to Smackdown and defeated Rey Mysterio. You are attacking people in parking lots and wrestling on Takeover. This will be the Year of Tranquilo.
Johnny says he did not win that match, but tonight he will have another match of the year and he will win.
Sam talks about having pride for being in a match that he lost. Pat mentions that he won the award.
We take a look at the Kassius Ohno versus Matt Riddle match.
We have a video package.
Charly asks how hostile will this match be. Sam says that he feels it will be real hostile. Ohno was the big free agent signee and now he is the welcome mat for the new talent. Pat says Ohno is bitter but Matt should be confident. Sam says Riddle has to focus on more than bros and flip flops. Pat says desperate times call for desperate measures.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for more awards.
The winner of Male Competitor of the year is . . .
Tomasso Ciampa.
Ciampa gives the award back and walks away with Goldie.
The winner of Female Competitor of the Year is . . .
Kairi Sane.
Kairi thanks everyone for voting for her. Last year was great for her and she will do her best this year.
It is time to talk about the NXT Tag Title Match and Bobby Fish arrives.
Pat talks about how big it is for Bobby to talk for the Undisputed Era.
Bobby asks Charly who it is next to Sam. Bobby says they are the Tag Team of the Year.
Pat talks about the beards of the War Raiders.
Bobby points out his beard.
Sam asks what is their plan to defeat the War Raiders.
Bobby says their plan is to be the Undisputed Era and this is their stage to shine.
Bobby does his best to silence Pat by ringing the bell on his award.
Bobby is asked about extra motivation and he says they don't need any extra motivation. Bobby says they will capture all of the gold in NXT and then he tells Pat to be quiet. Bobby says he feels underdressed because he didn't get his jean shorts.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at the NXT Women's Championship Match.
We have a video package.
Charly points out that Shayna might not be happy since Kairi Sane won Female Competitor of the year. Pat says we are going to get something special tonight. Sam talks about Bianca getting the opportunity tonight.
Sam starts to stammer and then he talks about the champions in NXT and he wonders if Bianca Belair belongs in this match. He wonders if she is worthy of a Takeover. Sam says Bianca does not have a chance. He says that the rocks in Pat's head even know that Bianca does not have a chance. He says they are wasting a match. Sam says she will be a champion some day, but not today.
It is time for the Overall Competitor of the Year and it is . . .
Kairi Sane.
Kairi says she cannot believe it. She says she is so honored to be here. Kairi says this has made her day. She says she will never forget this and she will be the Women's Champion again in 2019.
We see Aleister Black arriving at the arena earlier today.
We take a look at the NXT Men's Championship Match.
We have a video package.
Charly mentions that Black finally gets his hands on Ciampa. Pat mentions that Black was the champion and then he loses the title and gets attacked by Johnny Gargano. He says it is bad news for the angry dwarf. Tonight could be the night that Black regains the title. Sam says that you have to look at the champion. Fans knew about Ciampa but they did not think he would be the NXT Champion or champion this long. Sam says that the top five things are the title. Pat mentions that Black can hit Fade to Black at any time.
Coverage Continues on Next Page
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