Ladies and gentlemen, here it is. My first NXT Takeover recap on this blog, and I couldn't be more excited. I just finished watching an excellent show, and I can't wait to share my thoughts.
NXT was in a position they're not used to, having to follow a recent upward trend from the main roster. Roman Reigns has really stepped in as the top face, leading the WWE to a massive burst of momentum. TLC on Sunday was great, probably the best PPV since Wrestlemania, but that was mainly thanks to a few good matches. NXT's strength has always been a complete card, and that led them to victory, at least in my eyes.
The crowd was hot all night, beginning with the opening contest, Japanese sensation Asuka and a revitalized heel Emma. This match was nothing special, but delivered on every spot that was required. Dana Brooke is an excellent manager, and has come a long way from the nuclear heat she was receiving when she first debuted. Up next is a true MOTN candidate, and was probably my favorite tag match I've seen all year. Dash and Dawson and Enzo and Cass are just the perfect combination, with the old-school styles of the champions and the gritty, never say die challengers. There was some incredible stuff, and it was easy to stay invested in the story throughout. I certainly did not foresee Dash and Dawson retaining, so I'm intrigued on where they'll go from here.
Baron Corbin has progressed by leaps and bounds since the start of the year, and has likely taken the top heel spot in the company. I wouldn't be at all shocked if he and Finn(spoilers!) end up working a feud quite soon, with Finn working quite well into Baron's war on the indies. As for the match, it was good enough, though I was disappointed they weren't given more time. I think these two are capable of much more, but this likely isn't the last time we see them square off.
I'm devoting an entire paragraph to the next two matches, as they both deserve it. Up first is our Women's title match, otherwise known as Bayley time. Bayley has quickly become the top female in the company, and that's including the main roster. She has the ability to make anyone a star, from Eva Marie, to, tonight, Nia Jax. Both women were as green as green could get, but through Triple H's booking and Bayley's ability, both are legitimate top contenders. This is a lesson in how to make someone care about women's wrestling: a face and a heel, working perfectly within that dynamic. The same can be said about the main event, a true brawl if I've ever seen one, featuring the Demon and the Samoan Submission Machine. These two know how to put on a great match, and they certainly delivered. While there were not any insane spots, it delivered a sense of purpose and intensity that's very hard to replicate. Just like TLC, this is the two top guys on the card, willing to do anything that it takes to win the top prize. Finn winning made the most sense, as it wouldn't make sense to put the belt on Joe at this point in time.
Takeover London was a solid card throughout, with only five matches, but each of those five gave us something different. The faces are over, the heels are booed, and that's really all it takes. As I said at the top of the review, this was a more complete performance than TLC, without the horrible undercard that has plagued the main roster for so long.
9/10
Despite that, there has never been a better time to be a WWE fan over the past five years. Regardless of whichever event you liked more, they both were amazing and unique in their own right. Wrestling is cool again, enjoy it while it lasts.
-Henry
NXT was in a position they're not used to, having to follow a recent upward trend from the main roster. Roman Reigns has really stepped in as the top face, leading the WWE to a massive burst of momentum. TLC on Sunday was great, probably the best PPV since Wrestlemania, but that was mainly thanks to a few good matches. NXT's strength has always been a complete card, and that led them to victory, at least in my eyes.
The crowd was hot all night, beginning with the opening contest, Japanese sensation Asuka and a revitalized heel Emma. This match was nothing special, but delivered on every spot that was required. Dana Brooke is an excellent manager, and has come a long way from the nuclear heat she was receiving when she first debuted. Up next is a true MOTN candidate, and was probably my favorite tag match I've seen all year. Dash and Dawson and Enzo and Cass are just the perfect combination, with the old-school styles of the champions and the gritty, never say die challengers. There was some incredible stuff, and it was easy to stay invested in the story throughout. I certainly did not foresee Dash and Dawson retaining, so I'm intrigued on where they'll go from here.
Baron Corbin has progressed by leaps and bounds since the start of the year, and has likely taken the top heel spot in the company. I wouldn't be at all shocked if he and Finn(spoilers!) end up working a feud quite soon, with Finn working quite well into Baron's war on the indies. As for the match, it was good enough, though I was disappointed they weren't given more time. I think these two are capable of much more, but this likely isn't the last time we see them square off.
I'm devoting an entire paragraph to the next two matches, as they both deserve it. Up first is our Women's title match, otherwise known as Bayley time. Bayley has quickly become the top female in the company, and that's including the main roster. She has the ability to make anyone a star, from Eva Marie, to, tonight, Nia Jax. Both women were as green as green could get, but through Triple H's booking and Bayley's ability, both are legitimate top contenders. This is a lesson in how to make someone care about women's wrestling: a face and a heel, working perfectly within that dynamic. The same can be said about the main event, a true brawl if I've ever seen one, featuring the Demon and the Samoan Submission Machine. These two know how to put on a great match, and they certainly delivered. While there were not any insane spots, it delivered a sense of purpose and intensity that's very hard to replicate. Just like TLC, this is the two top guys on the card, willing to do anything that it takes to win the top prize. Finn winning made the most sense, as it wouldn't make sense to put the belt on Joe at this point in time.
Takeover London was a solid card throughout, with only five matches, but each of those five gave us something different. The faces are over, the heels are booed, and that's really all it takes. As I said at the top of the review, this was a more complete performance than TLC, without the horrible undercard that has plagued the main roster for so long.
9/10
Despite that, there has never been a better time to be a WWE fan over the past five years. Regardless of whichever event you liked more, they both were amazing and unique in their own right. Wrestling is cool again, enjoy it while it lasts.
-Henry
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