Samoa Joe defeated Finn Balor to become the new NXT Champion at the NXT live event in Lowell, MA on Thursday. Joe and Balor have been battling over the title for months, but Thursday night was Joe’s night as he was finally able to win the belt he’s spent so much time chasing.
Following the loss Finn Balor simply posted “It was an honor” on his Twitter account. Fans are already speculating that Balor may be main roster bound now that he’s dropped the title.
It was an honor #NXTLowell
— Finn Bálor (@wwebalor) April 22, 2016
After the match Finn Balor stood in the ring as the fans chanted “Thank you Balor!” He then raised his arm to do the “Too Sweet” hand gesture before he left the ring.
@wwebalor takes a final bow in #NXTLowell and maybe his last in NXT? pic.twitter.com/BnYvCMPI6X
— Liam Stryker (@LiamNAI) April 22, 2016
Kevin Owens also added to the speculation by telling the former NXT Champion that he will see him soon.
@wwebalor See you soon, buddy.
— Kevin Owens (@FightOwensFight) April 22, 2016
Samoa Joe’s friends and peers are congratulating him on social media and you can see some of the reactions below.
Introducing the new @WWENXT Champion, @SamoaJoe! #NXTLowell pic.twitter.com/Yx3CgQwHPd
— WWE (@WWE) April 22, 2016
Anything can happen @WWENXT…anywhere…anytime.
Congratulations @SamoaJoe.#AndNew#WeAreNXT https://t.co/yS1NIv7Omf— Triple H (@TripleH) April 22, 2016
Holy Moly! New #WWENXT Champion at #NXTLowell tonight!! Congratulations @SamoaJoe & thank you to @wwebalor!!
— Carmella (@CarmellaWWE) April 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/itsBayleyWWE/status/723342255667470337
Congrats to the new @WWENXT champion @SamoaJoe INDEED!
— FUNAKI (@shofufu824) April 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/fightbobby/status/723347111492902912
RESPECT THE @SAMOAJOE HE THE IRON SHEIK CLASS #NXT
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) April 22, 2016
So happy for @SamoaJoe thank u for all your contributions to ROH @ringofhonor @CMPunk @FightOwensFight @PrinceKingNana @TheLethalJay
— Cary Silkin (@rohcary) April 22, 2016
What an incredible run from @wwebalor.
And what a victory from @SamoaJoe tonight.
Two true warriors. Respect. #NXTLowell @WWENXT
— Chad Gable (@WWEGable) April 22, 2016
Wow!! You never know what to expect with @WWENXT live events! #NXTLowell found that out tonight!
Congrats to the NEW NXT Champ, Samoa Joe!!— Jason Jordan (@JasonJordanJJ) April 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/MooseNation69/status/723350460103532544
Amazing night for @WWENXT. Fans at #NXTLowell were incredible and our talent tore the house down. Congrats @SamoaJoe & @wwebalor #newchamp
— Matt Bloom (@NXTMattBloom) April 22, 2016
Congratulations to the new @WWENXT champion @SamoaJoe.@wwebalor is a true warrior of the canvas wars and was an excellent champion.
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) April 22, 2016
