Just weeks after attempting to decide the NXT Championship in an unprecedented 4-way 60 minute Iron Man match, WWE is again debuting a new match type. There will be a gauntlet eliminator match to decide champion Finn Balor’s opponent at the recently announced next NXT Takeover event, airing Sunday, October 4.
Two men will start in the ring, with a new competitor entering the match every 4 minutes. The only way to be eliminated is via pinfall or submission, and the last man standing earning the right to be Finn Balor’s first challenger in his second reign as NXT champion.
Though a new concept within NXT, some fans will notice similarities between the Gauntlet Eliminator Match and the popular Aztec Warfare match seen in Lucha Underground. Featuring 20 competitors entering at intervals of around 90 seconds, the matches quickly gained popularity for their chaotic nature and high stakes.
As announced by William Regal earlier today, the competitors taking part in the Gauntlet Eliminator Match will be announced starting later. The number of entrants is currently unspecified.
There is no doubt @FinnBalor is a serious competitor and the undisputed #WWENXT champion.
But all that said, every champion needs a proper challenger, so the @WWENXT account will introduce the competitors in the #GauntletEliminator match starting THIS afternoon. #StayTunedhttps://t.co/SFC5c6Xplj
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) September 17, 2020
Next week’s edition of NXT will also feature a Battle Royal to determine the new number one contender for Io Shirai’s NXT Womens Championship, featuring former champion Rhea Ripley as well as recent opponents of Shirai’s such as Dakota Kai and Shotzi Blackheart.