NXT Takeover XXXV is a few days away and the match card is already put together and signed off by Triple H and William Regal:
Kushida (c) vs. Kyle O'Reilly vs. Adam Cole vs. Pete Dunne vs. Johnny Gargano - Fatal 5 Way match for the NXT North American Championship
Team Kick (Dakota Kai and Tegan Nox) vs. The Way (Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell) - Tag team match
Imperium (Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner) (c) vs. Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher - Tag team match for the NXT Tag Team Championship
Kairi Sane (c) vs. Io Shirai - Singles match for the NXT Women's Championship
"Shin" Kenji Cruz (c) vs. Karrion Kross (with Scarlett) - Singles match for the NXT Championship
Not only Kenji has to focus on his match against Kross, his mind is also focused on his proposal to Kairi, since he had the plan to propose to the Pirate Princess after the show.
Kenji woke up and saw Kairi was still asleep. He slowly got up and opened the drawer to get the ring he bought at the mall with Io's help. Kenji looked at the ring and then looked over at a sleeping Kairi as he thought to himself.
Kenji's mind: this Sunday will be a night to remember when I will propose to you, my Pirate Princess
He put the box with the ring back inside the drawer well hidden and went back to cuddle with Kairi, making her smile in her sleep.
(Half an hour later)
Kairi turned around and woke up to see Kenji embracing her as she smiled; the Pirate Princess turned around and went to rub her body on him, making Kenji moan softly and eventually wake up.
Kenji: K-Kairi-san
Kairi: wake up Kenji-kun
She giggled as she peppered his face with soft loving kisses. Kenji woke up and right in front of him as his eyes open is the beautiful and cute face of Kairi.
Kenji: ohayo Kairi-san
Kairi smiled as she straddled Kenji and leaned in to kiss his lips for a good morning make out session. Kenji wrapped his arms around her back and kissed her passionately.
The Pirate Princess got one of his hands and guide it to her soft booty. Kenji felt the soft feeling and squeezed it, making Kairi moan in satisfaction. As the two made out, the Samurai brought his other hand to her booty and gave it a massage as she melted and relaxed as she kissed Kenji with love.
After their heated make out session of love, the two got out of bed and went in the shower to get ready for the last NXT before Takeover.
(An hour later)
The last NXT before XXXV went live with the main event being a one on one as Kushida looks for retribution against Karrion Kross for last week's six man tag team match when the North American Champion was sent over the announcers' table.
Kushida was warming up for the match as his eyes read nothing but vengeance.
Kenji: Kushida, are you sure about this? You saw what Kross is capable of when he ran through Bronson
Kushida: I want revenge, we could've won that match if I wasn't taken out, and if Kyle wasn't too obsessed with his revenge against Cole
Kenji: don't forget who started the betrayal and the split of the UE, that was Adam
Kushida: yeah, but I will loosen up Kross for you before Takeover
Kenji: just don't let your desire get the best of you, that will be used against you
Kushida: I got this, my friend. Do me a favor, let me handle this on my own, I can do this
Kenji was a bit hesitant, but he took a deep breath and sighed.
Kenji: hai okay, you got this. You did beat Omega and Ospreay back at Japan and your final match with Tanahashi was good
Kushida: yes, time for me to get out there
Kenji: good luck my friend
Kushida: hey good luck to you too
Kenji: for my match?
Kushida: well that and...
The Time Splitter smirked as he wiggled his ring finger.
Kenji: chotto matte, how did you know?
Kushida: Io-san told me
Kenji sighed as he shook his head.
Kenji: I told Io and Dakota to keep quiet until after Takeover, I ask for you to do the same
Kushida: my lips are sealed
The two friends high fived each other and bro hugged before the North American Champion left for his match against the Herald of Doomsday.
The show showcased the rise of Thatcher and Ciampa's alliance as a tag team while Imperium continued to play mind games, particularly targeting Thatcher to tell him to "come home," referencing Timothy's past as a member of RingKampf with Barthel and WALTER.
Also is a one on one match as Dakota took on Indi to hype up the tag team match along with the reunion of Team Kick. The result ended with Dakota taking the win with the GTK after Tegan took down Indi with the Shiniest Wizard at ringside.
Now it was the main event as the NXT North American Champion steps up against the Herald of Doomsday.
Meanwhile, Kenji was with Kairi and Io watching the match from the catering area.
Kairi: is Kushida-kun crazy?
Kenji: Kairi-san, he fought the top names back in New Japan, and I know what he's doing
Io: did he tell you to help him?
Kenji: he doesn't want the help, he wants to handle it on his own
Kairi: just go out there if anything happens to him
Kenji sighed and nodded as the match is about to start.
(In the ring)
Kushida and Kross have already made their entrances and the two stared each other down.
As the bell rang, Kushida lunged and connected combinations of quick punches and kicks, hoping to faze Kross and force him to be on the defense.
Kross pushed him back for some separation, but Kushida got back up and connected with a corner dropkick.
Kushida attempted to connect with another dropkick, but Kross got him and took the Time Splitter down with a Northern Lights suplex.
Karrion: come on!
Kushida got back up, and targeted the knee with a low dropkick followed by a DDT. Kushida went for an early pin, but Kross kicked out at one. The Herald of Doomsday sat up and gritted his teeth, but Kushida was not intimidated.
(A few minutes later)
The tables turned on Kushida as he attempted to go for a right hand, but he was caught by Kross as the challenger to Kenji's NXT title hits the Doomsday Saito suplex.
Kross turned to the camera and called out Kenji.
Karrion: are you watching Kenji?!
(Backstage)
Kenji clenched his fists as he watched Kross stomped on his friend.
Kairi: Kenji-kun, go help him!
Kenji: hai okay, just watch
The Samurai kissed her head as he dashed out to the ring.
(Back in the ring)
Kushida tried to fight back, but the impact did not affect Kross, it only made him angry. Then the Herald of Doomsday got Kushida and connected with another Doomsday Saito.
Kenji ran out to the ring and went to ringside, and the only thing he can do is watch. Kross stood over and watched while Kushida crawled and reached for the ropes as he saw the Samurai.
Kenji: Kushida!
Kenji put his hands over his head in frustration as he can't do anything.
Kushida: it's okay. Don't
The Time Splitter said as he pointed at his friend. Kenji looked down and just backed up.
Kross got Kushida and locked in the Kross Jacket as he taunted Kenji right in front of him.
Karrion: look at it, Cruz! Look at it!
Kenji watched as Kushida faded and slowly went out as Karrion locked in the Kross Jacket tight. The referee called for the bell, giving Kross the win as he broke the hold.
Kenji got in the ring to check on his friend while he stared down at Kross. With Takeover XXXV in a few days, Kross has the upper hand on the mind games as he took out Kenji's best friend in dominant fashion.