WWE reveals first name for NXT gauntlet eliminator match

Kushida is the first confirmed name for NXT’s gauntlet eliminator match.

WWE announced today that Kushida will take part in the first-ever gauntlet eliminator match on NXT next Wednesday. It will be a five-man match where the winner will go on to challenge Finn Balor for the NXT Championship at TakeOver on Sunday, October 4.

The rules of the gauntlet eliminator match are:

Two wrestlers will start in the ring.
Every four minutes, another wrestler will enter.
The only way to be eliminated is via pinfall or submission.
The last man standing will become the number one contender to the NXT Championship and challenge Balor for the title at TakeOver.

On this week’s NXT, Kushida defeated Austin Theory after answering Theory’s open challenge. Kushida attacked Velveteen Dream on NXT last week to get revenge for a previous beatdown.

Kushida tweeted about potentially challenging Balor: “You may not remember, but 10 years have passed since I first fought you. The time has finally come. I am merciless, I’ve removed the limiter. @FinnBalor I’ll definitely stand in front of you. See you at takeover. @WWENXT”

Balor then responded to Kushida: “I like you Kushida, good luck in the gauntlet, i hope you win. So I can beat you again.. like I did 10 years ago,9 years ago, 8 years ago, 7 years ago, 6 years ago etc etc”

NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai’s challenger for TakeOver will also be confirmed on next Wednesday’s NXT. Rhea Ripley, Candice LeRae, Tegan Nox, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez, Shotzi Blackheart, Aliyah, Kayden Carter, Indi Hartwell, Xia Li, and Kacy Catanzaro are featured on the match graphic for the battle royal.