The second to last match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames was the North American Championship match that saw the champion Leon Ruff defend the title against Johnny Gargano and Damian Priest in a three-way. The conclusion of the bout saw multiple individuals in “Ghostface” masks get involved to assist Gargano. One of the masked individuals turned out to be Austin Theory who hit Priest over the back with a pipe which led to Gargano hitting his signature DDT onto Leon Ruff for the win.
"IT WAS ME, AUSTIN! IT WAS ME ALL ALONG… AUSTIN!" @austintheory1 is BACK! 😯 #NXTTakeOver @JohnnyGargano pic.twitter.com/EgROumznXF
— WWE (@WWE) December 7, 2020
Johnny Gargano defeated Damian Priest for the North American Title at NXT Halloween Havoc. It was not long after that-that Gargano lost the title to Leon Ruff on an episode of NXT TV.
Austin Theory last competed on the 10/21 episode of NXT when he lost two consecutive matches on the show. He stated in a backstage segment after his losses that he “quits”.
This win kicks off Gargano’s third North American Title reign with the first happening at TakeOver: Phoenix in 2019, the second at Halloween Havoc and his third at TakeOver: WarGames 2020.
