TakeOver was a series of professional wrestling shows that began in May 2014, as WWE's then-developmental leagueNXT held their second WWE Network-exclusive event, billed as TakeOver.[2] In subsequent months, the "TakeOver" moniker became the brand used by WWE for all of their NXT live specials. In 2016, NXT held an event titled NXT TakeOver: Toronto, which took place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the Air Canada Centre. On August 27, 2018, a second TakeOver: Toronto event was scheduled to be held on August 10, 2019, as the 26th NXT TakeOver event. It took place at the same venue, which had been renamed to Scotiabank Arena in 2018, and was a support show for that year's SummerSlampay-per-view.[3]
Storylines
The card included matches that resulted from scripted storylines. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the NXT brand, while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television program, NXT.[4][5]
At TakeOver: XXV, Adam Cole defeated Johnny Gargano to win the NXT Championship.[6] On the July 17 episode of NXT, Cole and Gargano confronted each other and a brawl ensued.[7] NXT General Manager William Regal then scheduled the two in a two out of three falls match for the title at TakeOver: Toronto with Cole and Gargano respectively choosing the stipulations for the first two falls; however, Regal would decide the final stipulation if a tie occurred.[8] On the July 24 episode of NXT, Gargano and Cole chose their stipulations. Gargano chose a street fight, while Cole chose a singles match.[9]
Since TakeOver: XXV, Candice LeRae became involved in Io Shirai's feud with NXT Women's ChampionShayna Baszler.[6] After Shirai failed to defeat Baszler for the title in a Steel Cage match on the June 26 episode of NXT, Shirai attacked LeRae, turning heel.[11] Shirai explained her actions on the July 10 episode, while debuting new entrance music, stating that she didn't need any friends.[12] LeRae then interfered in Shirai's match on the July 24 episode,[9] and the following week, William Regal told LeRae that she would be facing Shirai at TakeOver: Toronto.[13]
On the April 24 episode of NXT, Mia Yim talked about how dangerous NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler was, alongside Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir.[14] After Yim won her match on the July 3 episode, she stated that she would be coming for the NXT Women's Championship.[15] The following week, Baszler stated that Yim was not ready.[12] Yim attacked Shafir in the parking lot on the July 17 episode[7] and Duke in a training ring the following week.[9] On the July 31 episode, Baszler and Yim agreed to a title match at TakeOver: Toronto.[13]
On the July 24 episode of NXT, NXT North American ChampionVelveteen Dream talked about how great Roderick Strong of the Undisputed Era was when Strong interrupted. Strong suggested a title match for TakeOver: Toronto when Pete Dunne interrupted and performed his finger snap on Strong before eyeing the title. Afterwards, William Regal announced that Dream would be defending the NXT North American Championship against Strong and Dunne in a triple threat match at TakeOver: Toronto.[9]
Rescheduled match
On the June 19 episode of NXT, the NXT Breakout Tournament was announced.[16]Jordan Myles and Cameron Grimes won their respective semifinal matches on the July 24 and 31 episodes, respectively,[9][13] and were scheduled to face each other in the finals at TakeOver: Toronto.[17] However, on August 8, the match was rescheduled to the August 14 episode of NXT.[18]
The event opened with The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) defending the NXT Tag Team Championship against The Undisputed Era (Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly). Ford performed a Frog Splash on O'Reilly to retain the titles.[19]
Next, Io Shirai faced Candice LeRae. Shirai forced LeRae to pass out to a Grounded Koji Clutch to win the match by submission.[19]
After that, The Velveteen Dream defended the NXT North American Championship against Roderick Strong and Pete Dunne. Strong performed the End of Heartache on Dunne but Dream performed a Purple Rainmaker on Strong and Dunne. Dream pinned Dunne to retain the title.[19]
In the penultimate bout, Shayna Baszler defended the NXT Women's Championship against Mia Yim. Baszler forced Yim to submit to a Figure Four Headscissors to retain the title.[19]
Main event
In the main event, Adam Cole defended the NXT Championship against Johnny Gargano in a 2 out of 3 Falls match. The first fall was a singles match. Gargano was disqualified for striking Cole with a chair, meaning Cole won the first fall. The second fall was a Street Fight. Gargano forced Cole to submit to the Garga-No-Escape to win the second fall. The third fall was a Barbed Wire Steel Cage match. Cole performed a Panama Sunrise on Gargano for a near-fall. Cole performed a Panama Sunrise off a ladder on Gargano for a near-fall. Gargano performed an Avalanche Front Flip Piledriver on Cole for a two count. Atop the cage, Cole and Gargano fell through a table. Cole pinned Gargano to retain the title 2-1.[19]
Aftermath
Johnny Gargano made his first appearance since TakeOver: Toronto on the September 11 episode of NXT. He talked about his career on the NXT brand when he was interrupted by Shane Thorne. After Thorne mocked Gargano's accomplishments, Gargano performed a Superkick on Thorne, and stated that he would be staying with the brand.[20]
A rematch between The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) and The Undisputed Era (Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly) for the NXT Tag Team Championship was scheduled for the August 28 episode of NXT,[21] which The Undisputed Era won.[22]
The 2019 TakeOver: Toronto would be the last in the TakeOver: Toronto chronology, which was a subseries of TakeOvers that were held at the same venue in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was also the last NXT TakeOver held before the NXT brand became recognized as one of WWE's three main brands in September,[23] although the brand reverted, in part, to its developmental roots in September 2021.[24]
Fall 3: Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match (won by Cole)
51:00
(c)
– the champion(s) heading into the match
N
– the match was taped for a future broadcast of NXT
^There was a stipulation for each fall. The stipulation for the first fall was a singles match (chosen by Cole), the second fall was a street fight (chosen by Gargano), and the third fall was a barbed wire steel cage match (chosen by NXT General Manager William Regal).
