Written by Rob Crowther IV
When it comes to NXT Takeover(s), the up and coming talent ALWAYS bring it. At times the matches even outshine those of the main roster PPVs. Although, I expected a little “Maur”(o) from the commentary team, the superstars delivered. And man, did they ever bring it.
Pre-show:
EC3 joins the pre-show and declares that he can dictate his future just by appearing on the pre-show panel. He says he is going to re-brand NXT as “NX3” and this will not be the only time we see him tonight. (He was just shown in the crowd later on)
Next on the pre-show Adam Cole (Bay-Bay!) joins the panel stating that he is not only the best in NXT, but the best in the world. The North American Champ says that Oney and Burch have no business competing for the tag titles, but their match would be first.
Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch vs. The Undisputed Era (Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reily) NXT Tag Title Match
This match was just all around good old fashioned wrestling. Oney and Danny dominated early with constant strikes and tandem offense. The Undisputed Era started to slowly pick up some momentum until Burch hit a brutal headbutt on his opponent, allowing Lorcan to get the hot tag and go off. Lorcan impressed with an over the top rope drive and a double block-buster type maneuver off of the apron. The faces were even able to hit a Wheel Barrow DDT early, but Adam Cole’s interference kept the Undisputed Era alive. Cole was immediately ejected, and our face team was able to put a double submission on both opponents. There was a really impressive escape here as the Undisputed Era were able to fend off the other’s attacker to get out of their respective holds. This was something fresh that I had never really seen before. Chaos ensued shortly after as all four men continued to battle in the ring. Eventually the match turned into a two on one as the Undisputed Era was able to take advantage for the win.
Winners: The Undisputed Era (Retain)
The Velveteen Dream vs. Ricochet
Dream started the mind games early as he came to ring with Hogan inspired gear whilst mimicking all of the Hulkster’s poses. Although never mentioning the Hall of Famer by name, the announce team made references like “Dream-mania is running wild” and “Watcha gonna do brother?” I have to give Patrick Clark (Dream) credit here. He really knows the business as exemplified from Tough Enough, but man does he always go the extra mile.
During the match, lots of reversals and mind games from both competitors. Although not the best strategy for Dream, he tried (and pretty much pulled off) a lot of Ricochet’s signature moves. A few highlight moves included a Death Valley Bomb off the top from Dream, a spinning headscissors into a sort of kip of recovery by Ricochet, and a devastating suplex off the apron to the outside delivered by Dream. Although it was really fun to see The Velveteen Dream steal a lot of Ricochet’s offense, it was ultimately his undoing. Ricochet also delivered a Purple Rainmaker Elbow and mocked his opponent. In retaliation, Dream tried to impress with a Purple Rainmaker of his own all the way across the ring, but missed. This allowed Ricochet to get the 1,2,3 after hitting an impressive 630 splash off the top rope. Great match by both competitors who really showed that they did their homework. This match really told a story which was both fresh and innovative.
Winner: Ricochet
Nikki Cross vs. Shana Baszler NXT Women’s Championship Match
There was nothing fancy about this match-up as this was a straight up brawl! Cross played mind games early and constantly baited Bazler. Lot of sleeper holds and reversals out of the gate which ended with Cross getting slammed onto a metal surface on the floor. Shortly thereafter, Baszler delivered blow after blow to Cross who seemingly took all of it and “Hulked up” at times. Cross was even able to hit a swinging neck-breaker off the top rope,, but Baszler was able to get a foot on the ropes. Baszler quickly delivered the Kirifuda Clutch early and locked it on for a long while, but the “Psychotic Scot” actually held on for a while. She was even smiling at one point. Baszler would eventually get the win as Cross finally faded yet did not tap out.
I was super bummed by the lack of time given to this match, as these NXT PPVs really give each match a lot of time. Honestly, I was also bummed by the result. Where does Cross go from here? Will she eventually grab the brass ring or does she finally get called up to the main roster with the rest of Sanity. I’m happy with either and/or both results. I’m a fan.
Winner: Shana Baszler by Submission (Retains)
Aleister Black vs. Lars Sullivan: NXT Championship Match
It’s no secret that I am a huge Aleister Black fan. The dude has that IT factor and I even see some parallels to guys like the Undertaker. With Gargano headlining the night, it seemed logical that Sullivan get the title opportunity. The match opened with a quick stare down by Sullivan to an un-phased Black. Black went for a quick Black Mass round house kick that Lars was able to catch, but man would I have loved to see the match go down like that. Lots of knee strikes and a flurry of attacks by Black early including a phenomenal flying double knee off the apron. Black almost hit a middle rope moonsault to the outside, but was impressively caught by Sullivan.
As the match continued, the story became about Black’s left knee which Sullivan had continually put pressure on. As Sullivan went for an early Freak Accident power-slam Black was able to put together a nice DDT counter. Later Sullivan was able to hit the power slam on the apron and connect with a flying headbutt. Black was able to kick out, and regain some quick momentum. I was super bummed to see Black essentially miss a Fade to Black Kick that Sullivan sold, making for a very awkward moment. The crowd was not happy, and Sullivan was able to kick out at two. The competitors recovered very quickly though as Black was able to fully connect with a Black Mass kick. Sullivan took it like a champ and started to get up, but Black wisely delivered another Black Mass for the win. I’m glad to see Black as the top guy, and hope to see long title run for him. I would anticipate a match between him and Gargano sooner than later.
Winner: Aleister Black (Retains)
Tomasso Ciampa vs. Johnny Garganno Chicago Street Fight
Gargano comes to the ring in what I believe to be Captain America inspired Gear with a crutch in hand. Ciampa follows suit with another crutch in hand. Now I hate to be that guy, but this was certainly a match that needed the intensity of Mauro Ranallo to be the icing on the cake. Lots of classic street fight stuff here with some creativity. Lots of trash can shots and apron maneuvers as usual. One interesting spot was a stop sign hidden in a fan sign that would come into play. Another highlight was a vicious throw into the steel steps by Ciampa onto Gargano with a steel chair around his neck. Ciampa would go so far as to disrespect his former partner by taking his wedding ring and tossing it. While attempting to go for an over the shoulder piledriver from atop a stack of grates, Ciampa was countered by Gargano who stole his move and jumped with him through the table. It was a pretty vicious spot.
Ciampa would be stretchered off, but Gargano would push the medical staff and the ref down to get more shots at Ciampa. Johnny Wrestling would then bring Ciampa back to the ring, handcuff him, and throw some vicious kicks. He even got Ciampa to tap out to the Gargano Escape. Unfortunately the ref had already been knocked down by Gargano, so no ruling was made at this point. Now earlier in the match Ciampa used bolt cutters to undo the top layer of the ring mat and actually took off some of the foam material covering the wood boards. Now I didn’t think the E would ever show that foam like material in any capacity, so that was interesting to me. The wood boards would come into play however as Johnny was pulled out of the ring by the NXT staff. As Johnny attempted to come back in the ring, a now handcuffed Ciampa was still able to hit a devastating DDT onto the exposed ring boards for the win.
Again, this match was solid for a street fight, but it just needed Mauro on the call.
Winner: Tomasso Ciampa
The PPV started out strong with two great matches but was followed by a pretty short women’s bout. There were a few rough spots during the NXT Championship match, and no disrespect to the commentary team but the intensity we are used to just wasn’t there for the big spots. Takeover Chicago was a solid PPV, but had a few missing ingredients.
Rating 7.5 Out of 10
