NXT Takeover XXI comes live from the new Capital Wrestling Center in Orlando, Forida. L NXT Takeover XXI brought about some great action along with a new atmosphere. The former PC now sported more of the much needed Thunderdome vibe (virtual fans) and a new cage/fence barrier for the live “fans” in attendance. Although there was no pyro (probably for safety reasons) this is a welcome change as the performers have something to feed off of. The wrestling on the show itself was superb, however there were many missed opportunities for sure.
Easily the match of the night went to Isaiah “Swerve” Scott taking on the Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar. Swerve continuously shows why he is the next big thing with show stealing performances week after week. Move of the night goes to Swerve’s outside leaping frankensteiner on his opponent from the top turnbuckle to the outside. Lots of amazing reversals and fast paced offense from both competitors. Scott would even hit a 450 for the near fall but Escobar would not be stopped.
Scott would luckily continue to kick out of everything, even overcoming outside interference at one point. Unfortunately Escobar would retain after slamming Swerves head into the outside pole and hitting a Double Underhook modified knee to the face maneuver. This was an absolutely a stellar match BUT this was the one where Swerve should have gotten the W. A very big miss in booking here. I’m not sure what this stellar match accomplished. The only thing I’m certain of here, is that justice was not “swerved.”
My other major gripe with the booking would be Candice LeRae’s loss to Io Shirai after another amazing match. Both ladies work so well together as the match was so fluid. Shirai hit, as always, the best springboard dropkick you will ever see in the business along with many other high flying maneuvers. LeRae impressed with her middle rope moonsault and face kick slams. After the ref bump, Johnny Gargano would interfere as a ref himself, but the distraction and even a belt shot wasn’t enough to put the champ away. After a picture perfect Spanish fly Io would win with her patented moonsault.
Post match we would get not one but two surprises from a returning Toni Storm and Ember Moon. Very glad to see these ladies but now I am completely convinced that there is absolutely no payoff for the Gargano Family heel turn. I’ll spare everyone my Johnny Rant, but the payoff in my mind was ultimately for Candice to finally capture that NXT Women’s Championship by hook or crook. Io is fave and a more than deserving Champ, but my point still remains that Candice has once again been passed over. My rebel heart is broken yet again.
Speaking of the former heart and soul of the black and gold brand, Johnny Gargano had a solid opening match with Damien Priest for the North American Title. Gargano continued to cut every corner in order to try to become the first ever two time North American Champion. Trickery, Low Blows, and the whole “shebang” — still wasn’t enough to stop Priest who was able to hit a crazy Razor’s Edge on the apron and put Gargano away with a hanging Cross Rhodes type maneuver.
Kushida would take on Velveteen Dream in a solid match that showed us a new side of the time-traveling competitor. I’m not going to put Dream over here, (nor would Kushida) but coming to the ring dressed as Doc Brown was clever, purely looking at it from a gimmick perspective. As I said the match was solid but the ending was absolutely phenomenal as Kushida would win via submission after reversing a Dream Valley Driver into a Hoverboard Lock for the win. Post match Marty McFly also turned heel as he continued to lock in the hoverboard lock.
Our main event saw Kyle O’ Reilly put on a clinic against Finn Balor in a match that had more holds than a customer service line. O’Reilly was able to shine here and work Balor’s knee. O’Reilly really impressed with multiple double underhook suplexes that rolled into each other. The U.E. member would even hit an Ambrose like rope rebound lariot from the bottom rope. Balor hit his spots as well and was finally able to wear O’Reilly down. Cue up the Coupe De Grace for the win and “BALLGAME MIGULLLL”
Post-Match a show of respect from both competitors which again really continues to confuse me on how everyone on NXT is practically a heel or tweener. Regardless, Ridge Holland came out looking like a jacked Star Lord with a beaten and battered Adam Cole to end the show.
Again, the wrestling on the show was superb and a lot of fun. However, with no title matches, continued confusion on clear cut heels and faces TakeOver XXXI left us with one too many head scratchers. Both men would get busted open at one point.
