TakeOver was a series ofprofessional wrestling shows that began in May 2014, asWWE's then-developmental leagueNXT held their secondWWE Network-exclusive event, billed asTakeOver.[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 titledNXT TakeOver: Toronto, which took place inToronto, Ontario, Canada at theAir 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'sSummerSlampay-per-view.[3]
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]
AtTakeOver: XXV,Adam Cole defeatedJohnny Gargano to win theNXT Championship.[6] On the July 17 episode ofNXT, Cole and Gargano confronted each other and a brawl ensued.[7] NXT General ManagerWilliam Regal then scheduled the two in atwo 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 ofNXT, Gargano and Cole chose their stipulations. Gargano chose astreet fight, while Cole chose asingles match.[9]
Since TakeOver: XXV,Candice LeRae became involved inIo Shirai's feud withNXT Women's ChampionShayna Baszler.[6] After Shirai failed to defeat Baszler for the title in aSteel Cage match on the June 26 episode ofNXT, Shirai attacked LeRae, turningheel.[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 ofNXT,Mia Yim talked about how dangerous NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler was, alongsideJessamyn Duke andMarina 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 ofNXT,NXT North American ChampionVelveteen Dream talked about how greatRoderick Strong of the Undisputed Era was when Strong interrupted. Strong suggested a title match for TakeOver: Toronto whenPete 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 atriple threat match at TakeOver: Toronto.[9]
On the June 19 episode ofNXT, theNXT Breakout Tournament was announced.[16]Jordan Myles andCameron 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 ofNXT.[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]
In the main event, Adam Cole defended the NXT Championship against Johnny Gargano in a 2 out of 3 Falls match (also referred to as a "Three Stages of Hell" match due to each fall being contested under different stipulations). The first fall was a singles match. Gargano was disqualified for striking Cole with a chair, meaning Cole was awarded 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]
Johnny Gargano made his first appearance since TakeOver: Toronto on the September 11 episode ofNXT. He talked about his career on the NXT brand when he was interrupted byShane 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 ofNXT,[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]
