Oh how I love TakeOvers, less matches normally mean better quality and to be honest they never disappoint. However, this weekend maybe different, not that I think NXT will disappoint, I just don't think that they will have the easy ride they normally do over the weekend, The Rumble looks fucking stacked with show stealing matches, and if last years Rumble, my personal favourite ever, is something to go by, then this years can't fail. I am hoping it is a great weekend to be a WWE fan.
I completely expected this match to open. Undisputed Era have never disappointed in this slot, putting on great match after great match and getting the fans to automatic fever pitch, War Raiders are no chumps either, and are as over as any team to come through WWE, in short if this is anything less than 4 stars come the end then I will see it as a fail.
The match starts off quick, Strong and O'Reilly attack Raiders immediately, as they spill to the outside the first big spot is in when Rowe body slams Hanson into the Undisputed boys. Momentum soon shifts back to Strong and O'Reilly when they isolate Hanson, quick tags to keep the much bigger opponents down, O'Reilly applies a Guillotine choke but Hanson just walks through and tags Rowe. Rowe has some brief offence before Undisputed Era get back on top, Hanson misses his Senton through the second rope. They are playing well on the superior strength of War Raiders, with Undisputed Era effectively double teaming either member. O'Reilly for me, uses BBJ and other grappling techniques better than anybody else in WWE, his Triangles actually look like triangles, guillotines are applied right and he uses arm bars and leg locks excellently. Considering WWE has at least six (seven if you include Nakamura, or was he a wrestler first?) ex-professional fighters on their roster this is high praise. O'Reilly and Rowe have a great back and forth after Undisputed Era had been working him for a while, leading to both men making the tag. Hanson dominates Strong and shows both his power and agility game, War Raiders are impressive. Hanson hits his second attempt at a Tope on Strong, leaving Rowe and O'Reilly in the ring, he slams him down and tags Hanson who hits a top rope Sunka Splash, this is back and forth as Undisputed Era take control knocking Rowe out of the ring, a Superplex by Stong on Hanson followed by a big top rope knee off O'Reilly gets a long two. Olympic Slam on Hanson from Strong, gets another two. High Low on Hanson and still he kicks out. Hanson does a great cartwheel escape from another High Low Attempt and hits a Springboard Back Elbow on both of The Undisputed Era and gets the tag to Rowe. Rowe hits an impressive Powerbomb/Front Slam combo on both Strong and O'Reilly, quickly followed by the Fallout for the 1-2-3. Your Winners and New Champions The War Raiders.
What a match that was, Undisputed Era are probably the best team in wrestling, closely followed by War Raiders, they succeeded again in getting a TakeOver off to a red hot start, the crowd where on fire by the end, while still telling a great story through the match, it also goes to show what Tag Teams can do if given a chance. Vince, take notes sir. 4.75 Stars
In my humble opinion, which considering that I am writing this, is currently the only opinion, this match could be the sneaky match of the night. Both are talented wrestlers, and if they have time they could put something on here that is great.
Another fast start from this one, with Riddle being on top, Riddle deadlifting Ohno from the floor is impressive. An attempt at a Sunset Bomb from Riddle gets him caught by Ohno, when he covers his face with the skirt of the ring, it was a nice original spot. Ohno is on top, and predictable the pace slows which is good and how it should be. I particularly like Ohno's use of sledges during the match, calling Riddle a bum and asking if Riddle remembers being slammed around the ring, while he was slamming him around the ring. Riddle his a delayed German Suplex into a bridge, it was beautiful. Riddle back on top, hitting a lot of kicks, but Ohno regains control biting Matt Riddles toes, clever, hits a Tiger Bomb for a two. Ohno then hits a Moonsault, slightly off target, however the excellent Nigel McGuinness explains it away, just off topic, McGuinness has replaced Graves as the best announcer they have and I really like the dynamic he has with Mauro Ranallo. Off the Moonsault Ohno goes for the Rolling Elbow, Riddle ducks, big boot off Ohno followed by a Senton Splash, and then Ohno goes for another but Riddle catches him in a Rear Naked Choke, Ohno gets to the ropes but then gets stomped into the mat. Riddle hits a big knee, a fucking beautiful Sleeper Suplex and gets Ohno to tap out to repeated Elbow Strikes.
I really enjoyed that, both guys came out looking great and I don't think it matters that Kassius Ohno is without a win against Matt Riddle. Riddle will obviously be a star. 3 Stars.
Does this match need any hype? All I need to say is Ricochet vs Johnny Gargano. It sells itself, much like the Tag Match, I am not even worried, this will deliver. Should mention, I have enjoyed the change in Johnny Gargango's character, however he needs to do something massive to get this NXT crowd to hate him.
Crowd is on fire for this, with "Johnny Wrestling" and "Ricochet" duelling chants to kick this one off. Followed by some lovely chain wrestling, when I say lovely, I mean it is a work of art, reversal after reversal, move for move it was excellent. Ricochet asks which Johnny Gargano is he going to get, Gargano smacks him in the face. Ricochet is a walking highlight reel, everything he does is crisp and flawless and isn't just "Spinny Shit" for the sake of it, he still tells a story. A top rope Buckle Bomb from Gargano on Ricochet puts him back in charge. Gargano gets taken down, and Ricochet goes for a standing Moonsault, but Gargano boots him straight out of the air, which was better than the normal wait with the knees up. Gargano has really developed his nasty side and it is great as this match goes on how that keeps coming out. Ricochet hit a rolling Nothern Lights Suplex into a Brainbuster, that is now my favourite combination Suplex in wrestling, it is fucking beautiful. Gargano catches Ricochet and hits a big Powerbomb for a two, and then applies a crossface, the pace of this match is excellent and has been none stop, so fast and smooth, with reversal's galore and move into move it is hard to review! Ricochet blocking Johnny's jump of top rope DDT and dumping him out the ring was lovely. Ricochet spinning out of a Hurricanrana and landing on his feet was so good describing it is almost impossible. Gargano reverses a back elbow attempt into the Gargano escape, which Ricochet escapes with what can best be described as an Exploder Suplex. Just when I don't think he can do anymore, Ricochet flies over the corner post onto Gargano rolls him in and hits a springboard 450 for a two. A Shooting Star Press attempt is greeted with knees from Gargano into a two count. I honestly sitting here trying my best to keep up but just have my mouth open at the action these two are putting on. This is Wrestling. Gargano on the outside moves the mats and looks like he may go for a DDT on the floor, but changes his mind. A massive Discus Clothesline from Ricochet sets Gargano up for the Phoenix Splash, Gargano moves but ends up in his own finishing move! That exposed floor comes into play when Gargano hits a Brianbuster type of Suplex on Ricochet. A Springboard DDT, and Gargano gets the three.
Well, it is Saturday 26th January, and we already have a match of the year contender. This match had everything, a great story, two stunning performers and it didn't stop. The change of Johnny Gargano that went on through this match, Ricochet again showing that although it may seem he can actually fly that he is also a great technical wrestler. If you don't watch anything else this weekend watch this. 5 Stars.
Now I don't want to be that guy that shits on the women's match, but this one for me, holds the most trepidation. Shayna Baszler has been great and I long ago admitted that I was wrong about her and I think she has a big, big future within Wrestling and has the potential to be Charlotte Flair level good. But, she isn't there yet, and I don't think she can call or carry a match on her own, yet, and the same with Bianca Belair, massive, massive, upside, but for me she can be at times a little clunky and look a little bit lost. It isn't even that I think this will be bad, it will be good, but this is TakeOver, and good isn't enough! I would have preferred to have seen a lo Shirai or Mia Yim take this chance, and given Belair that little bit of extra time just to iron her out. I hope that I am wrong and they smash it out of the park.
Starts of well enough, with Belair show casing some nice athleticism knocking Baszler out of the ring. Baszler counted this by grabbing Belair's hair and pulling her into the ring post. One thing Baszler does really well, is be a prick it is like she is a natural heel, hitting her stomp on Belair's arm and then goes to work using her grappling and MMA experience. Baszler is top for a while in this one, going for the Rear Naked Choke early which Belair escapes. Belair gets back on top slapping Baszler after she had shouted O-VER-RATE-ED in her face, and then hitting a spear getting a one count. Some nasty looking stomps from Belair into a Splash hurts Belair's ribs and now both women are down. Baszler gets on top with a striking exchange, until Bianca hits her hair whip, which actually cuts Baszler's side. Belair hits her KOD finish but the ref is down so doesn't get the count. A run in from Duke and Shafir is inconsequential as they get battered by Belair. Baszler gets the Rear Naked Choke on but it gets reversed. Belair goes up top, more interference from Duke allows Baszler to recover and avoid the 450 attempt and lock in the Rear Naked Choke again, Belair fought through, for me, an unrealistic amount of time considering this is a proven MMA fighter, but eventually passes out to it.
The run ins weren't needed and only damage Duke and Shafir considering how easily they were beat off, they looked like the Singh Brothers. I also didn't like how long it took Belair to fall to the Rear Naked Choke, it didn't suspend my disbelief, and then when she came round she did with a smile. Would have been a good TV match, and all of the concerns I had before this match started, came true. Not that it was bad, just sort of happened. 2 Stars.
Aleistar Black vs Tomasso Ciampa is probably, for me, one of the most exciting matches of the year. Ciampa is the best pure heel (even if the NXT crowd still chant for him) in WWE, his obsession with the NXT title, even naming it Goldie has been nothing short of genius. Black for me has the biggest upside of anyone in WWE right now, his character is so perfect that he will be nether face or heel, I believe he is the perfect replacement for The Undertaker in the Phenom persona, a perfect replacement for Stone Cold as the fearless ass kicker I honestly think he could be that big. If one match could top Gargano vs Ricochet, then it is this one.
Kicks off with a strong Collar and Elbow tie up, where both men end up outside the ring. Still cagey with Black scoring a Waistlock takedown, starting much the same to The North American Title match with some good chain wrestling, with each man gaining and losing control. Ciampa does well to avoid the strikes of Black, with both men end up on the mat sitting facing each other, Black eats a big kick to the chops. He isn't down for long and regains control hitting a Tope over the top rope, he seems to land awkward on his knee, if this will part of the story or a genuine accident we shall see. It isn't long until Ciampa drives Black into the steps, knee first, followed by a Suplex on the stairs so his knee hits the steps. Seems it was all part of the story. Back in the ring, Ciampa continues to work on Black's knee, with various leg locks. McGuinness puts the story over well, pointing out the left leg of Aleistar Black is the base leg for the Black Mass. Ciampa is still working on the leg of Black, smashing it into the ring post three times, and then smashing him knee first on the Spanish Announce Table. Ciampa takes the Rock's spot and takes some water, however Black kicks him square in the jaw! Back in the ring, Ciampa manages to regain control by attacking Blacks injured knee. A Tree of Woe from Ciampa continues his assault on Black's knee, but with Ciampa stunned on top Black manages to kick him in the face with a running kick to give him some respite. Black on top now, but selling the knee well, not being able to complete a Suplex, but still hits a few kicks and gets a two count. A nice sequence sees a both mens finishing moves missed or reversed. Black gets caught in a single leg Boston Crab, but escapes and applies one of his own, but his left knee wouldn't let him hold it. Tower of London on the apron from Ciampa on Black is lovely, and its nice to see McGuinness getting his props by the top stars using his moves. Some more beautiful chain wrestling with pin reversals and strike counters puts some added spice into the match. Black hits a great Moonsault from the second buckle to the outside, but slips on the water, allowing Ciampa to get back in the ring, recover and hit a Fairytale Ending for a two count. Once again the mats are removed and we have exposed concrete on the outside. Ciampa gets in the refs face after dragging Black to the edge of the ring, which allows Black a chance to recover and hits a double knee, back in the ring and BOOM Black Mass, Ciampa is down Black crawls over and Ciampa rolls to his belly so no cover, nice touch. Ciampa is out, Black goes for Black Mass but Ciampa drags the ref in the way, he moves gets hit with a BIG knee, roll through from Ciampa to a draping DDT, Fariytale ending 2 count- Ciampa hits another one but choses not to go for the cover, Black escapes and goes for Black Mass, but his knee gives out, another Fairytale Ending and Ciampa finally pins Black.
Another great match with a great story well told, and on any other night, it could have stole the show. However, not this night, it is third best on the card. 4 Stars
The post match scene of Gargano and Ciampa standing tall together, both holding titles, is great and adds another layer to that story.
OVERALL
NXT does it again. The weakest match on the card was easily the Women's match and I think that they weren't ready for that yet and selling needs work. However the rest ranged from good, excellent, superb, to match of the year contender. Depending on what you look for in wrestling, this show in three matches will provide it, for those of you reading this who have fell out of love with Wrestling, watch this card, and be reminded why you loved it in the first place. 5 Stars.
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