The TakeOver of WrestleMania weekend is now the show not to miss. Wrestlers can talk all they want about the prestige of performing at the "Granddaddy of them all", but TakeOver is now where the best matches take place. This card should be no different, I cannot pick a single match I am more excited about seeing, and because the card is relatively small, as is the NXT way, every match should be able to develop and tell great stories. There is NO WAY this card can disappoint, in fact, if this fails to get at least 4 stars from any of The TCAW review team, then I will consider it a failure. So excited for this card, just in case you that didn't come across in the opening.
War Raiders vs Aleister Black & Ricochet NXT Tag Team Titles
Sticking with NXT tradition the tag titles are out first to get the crowd on fire. These tag matches never fail to tick every box and no reason why this one should change that. Just look at who is in this match, it is going to be great. Also three of my favourite entrance themes ever. War Raiders are out first, and the crowd is already boiling, it sounds electric in the arena, with both teams being firmly fan favourites it will be interesting how this match pans out. Ricochet is out next to an equally warm reponse. Black is out last, I never thought I would say this being an Undertaker mega-fan, but has there ever been a better entrance, the song, the rise up everything is perfect. Again the crowd are making want to be there. Black and Rowe start things off , with some really quick chain wrestling, which Rowe ends up on top, but stops short of smashing Black on the ground in a show of Respect. Back to chain wrestling, but this time it is Black who ends up on top and stops short of kicking his face off. They first bump and make respective tags. Ricochet knocks Hanson out of the ring. A tag to Black and Rowe, Rowe is knocked out of the ring, leading to the Black Moonsault sit down, he is joined for the sit down by Ricochet in a fun spot. War Raiders take control and isolate Black, Black is down and War Raiders go for there double team slam, but Black takes Rowe's knees out with a spin kick leading to Rowe hitting an inadverted Worlds Strongest Slam on Hanson, Ricochet is in and is moving at exactly 65,000 mph, finishing with a standing 450 on Rowe for the first 2 count of the match. Black back in and slows the pace locking in rest hold on Rowe, he pushes Rowe into his own corner, a few kicks to Rowe but he manages to turn the tide and hits a massive knee to allow him to tag Hanson. Hanson is a man on fire hitting repeated Avalanches on both Ricochet and Black. Hanson throws Black at Ricochet who he back drops over the top. Hanson launches himself at Ricochet, who catches the big man for a slam, it was great, a double tag brings Black and Rowe back in, a stiff strike exchange ensues Black wins and hits a massive German Suplex for a two. Another tag and Hanson and Ricochet show off his athletic alibity with a marvellous exchange with Ricochet, which he comes out on top of with a handspring back elbow. This match is awesome. Rowe knees Ricochet so hard he may have killed him, a great double team from War Raiders seems almost certain to win it for the Vikings, with both the big men going for the cover, but Black flys out of nowhere with a double foot stomp to break upo the tag. This match is almost impossible to keep up with, a great sequence on the outside starting with a Black moonsault on Rowe, A Corkscrew flip by Ricochet, and a Senton by Hanson on everyone. Ricochet and Rowe just about get in the ring before the 10 count. We get back to Rowe vs Black, Black hits a Black Mass on Rowe, followed by the 450 from Ricochet, it looks certain but Hanson manages to Rugby tackle Black over to break up the tag. Ricochet misses a 650 allowing War Raiders to take control. War Raiders hit Thors Hammer, followed by tope on Black, then the end comes with Fallout on Ricochet for the 3 count. Well, that was awesome. The respect after the match is a nice touch, everyone else is going to have to work hard to top that. Ricochet and Black stay in the ring after War Raiders leave, to a massive ovation, Ricochet has tears in his eyes, I am pleading with the wrestling Gods that they don't Fuck these two up, as a team or as indiviuals, along with Dunne, Gargano, Ciampa, and others they are the future of WWE. What a send off Just fucking awesome, I would be doing everyone a injustice if I score it less than 5 stars.
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Velveteen Dream vs Matt Riddle NXT North American Championship
Well, Velveteen Dream and Matt Riddle are going to have to work hard. I like Riddle, I love the MMA style, a style which he deserves if you look at his record in the octagon he is legit tough as nails. I also love Dream, easily wins the prize for best character, and considering he doesn't have the independent background of a lot of NXT wrestlers he is awesome in the ring. Dream gets a Statue of Liberty intro and is carried to the ring by four blokes, its over the top madness, and I love it. I still think Matt Riddle will win this, as it is time for Dream to be called, and just think of the pop when he comes out on Raw, please remember that I said that. Riddle plays his character well, looking uninterested in the Dreams pomp. This crowd is on fire, with conflicting chants of Velveteen and Bro, which the two guys play up to well, Riddle puts his fist out for a fist bump, Dream turns it down and mocks him. Riddle hits some strong leg kicks on Dream, which causes Dream to rethink the fist bump, its a fake out and Dream shoots for a singe leg, that was a mistake as Riddle easily dominates on the ground almost lock in a Kimura. In a lock up, Riddle manages to lock in an armbar attempt. Dream rethinks and stamps on Riddles bare foot, allowing Dream to gain control. Dream taunts Riddle with the Rick Rude hip swivel, which only angers Riddle who shoots in and hits an impressive two roll through side suplexes, stopping on the third to taunt Dream which was a mistake, it allows Dream to get on top. Riddle is knocked out of the ring, Dream goes for a double axe handle off the top, which Riddle ducks underneath and hits a German Suplex on the outside. Currently, this is almost a squash match, with every time Dream shows some offence, Riddle shuts it down quickly. Even a German Suplex from Dream Riddle rolls through, hits a big knee and gets a close two count. Riddle locks in a triangle, which Dream escapes with a Powerbomb attempt, Riddle escapes shoots through and hoists Dream up for a lovely Go To Sleep, better than CM Punk ever did. Dream HULKS up, it is fantastic, he hits the big boot, Riddle escapes to the outside, and hits the axe handle on the outside, back in the ring and Dream hits a fame-asser for a long two count on Riddle. Dream goes up top, but hits a big knee from Riddle, Riddle picks Dream up and Dream hits a code breaker from out of no where, Dream goes for a running knee which Riddle rolls through and applies an ankle lock. Dream manages to escape a powerbomb, into a DDT, then the Dream Valley Driver, up top for the Purple Rain Maker is blocked by a Rear Naked Choke. Riddle hits the best German Suplex I have ever seen off the second rope while holding Dream in the high, it is the most impressive thing I have ever seen. Riddle locks in the Bro-mission it looks like it is over, but Dream rolls over and gets the three. I thought following War Raiders would be near on impossible, but these two put a match together that exceeded my expectations, this maybe me still buzzing off my new favourite suplex but I thought that was great, and told a great story. Both men looked strong coming out of that and Dream vs Riddle isn't done. 4.5 stars.
Pete Dunne vs WALTER NXT UK Championship
Well, this is what I mean about this card, it doesn't slow down. This will be hard hitting, this will be great, and I think this is the closest that Pete Dunne has come to looking like losing the title, Pete Dunne is awesome, it scary that he is only 25. A slow but intense start by these two, Dunne brings it down to the ground quickly but to very little effect. Dunne goes for WALTER's fingers, but WALTER pushes him and misses a chop. Dunne hits an elbow to WALTER which only seems to piss him off, and he finally hits a big chop, flooring Dunne. Dunne hits a clothesline to zero effect, he goes to run off the ropes WALTER leap frogs Dunne and hits a Big Boot. WALTER is clearly on top. Dunne manages to roll through an ankle look and apply a heel hook. WALTER chops his way out and locks in a Boston Crab, Dunne crawls to the bottom rope. Mauro Ranallo is doing a great job with superlatives to describe WALTER. This is all WALTER and he is battering Dunne, Dunne is doing a great job of being pissed off and finally gets on top with some left and rights, Dunne ups the pace and gets WALTER to roll outside the ring, Dunne goes up top and hits a Moonsault. WALTER was down and Dunne climbs the ropes, WALTER is up and meets up top, Dunne finally gets hold of the fingers, rolling over the back of WALTER and hitting a very impressive sit down powerbomb. Dunne is back up top, WALTER is down on the outside and Dunne hits a massive Double Foot Stomp on the big man, it looked like it hurt, a lot. WALTER regains control with a massive dropkick, sleeper attempt, chop to the back of the neck and a HUGE Powerbomb for a close 2 count. Dunne is continually trying to fight WALTER, but WALTER just chops him in half. WALTER stamps on Dunne's throat which looks horrible, and but Dunne comes back into it with a step up enziguri, Dunne goes back up top but WALTER chases him and hits a massive Belly to Back Suplex. A UK chant is heard in the crowd. Dunne catches the hand of WALTER and snaps the fingers, then he does the same with the other hand, catches WALTER in a Snap German Suplex. Dunne is back up and is stamping on WALTERS head, over and over again, WALTER keeps trying to fight out but Dunne is relentless. Dunn gets hold of WALTERS fingers, and forces WALTER to get to the bottom rope. Dunne is once again caught on the top, getting clothelined off the top, WALTER goes for a diving headbutt, and gets caught in a triangle attempt, WALTER escapes and stamps the shit out of Dunne. Dunne goes for the Bitter End WALTER escapes, a massive lariat from WALTER only seems to wind Dunne up as he hits a forearm smash and then the Bitter End for a long two. We have come to the strike exchange, forearms from Dunne, Chops from WALTER it looks painful. The ref drags Dunne off WALTER, who is in the ropes, but it allows WALTER to hit a big boot, WALTER climbs to the top but Dunne manages to snap the fingers, Dunne goes for a triangle on the top, but WALTER chops out of that and hits a massive Powerbomb, followed by a Splash off the top for the 3 count. That match was everything I love in wrestling, stiff strikes, technical mastery, a great story, a fighting champion, near falls, big risks and a big finish, that was my perfect match and could watch that style all day, every day. If I could, I would break the scale for that one, but I am not Meltzer, I respect the system! 5 stars
Shayna Baszler vs Bianca Belair vs lo Shirai vs Kairi Sane NXT Womens Championship
The women have a tough job tonight, two five star matches and one 4.5 star, however unlike my worries with a one on one match at the last TakeOver between Baszler and Belair, the addition of lo Shirai and Sane should make this a wonderful match. I think Sane and Baszler in particular have great chemistry and normally deliver. The Sky Pirates are quickly thrown out of the ring leaving Belair and Baszler, Shirai is in and hits a big knee. It comes down to Sane and Belair, Belair overpowers Sane alone, but lo Shirai is up and a double team eliminates her, quickly followed by Baszler, so now the Sky Pirates face off, it starts with a nice little exchange, until Baszler and Belair ruin the fun, as they clear the Sky Pirates out of the ring, back to Bianca vs Shayna, Shayna uses Belairs hair against her in the ring, when she trys out the of the ring it goes against her, Sane is back in and flys into Belair. Belair reverses Sane towards the ropes, where lo Shirai is stood, but she goes high and Sane goes low Baseball Sliding into Baszler, while Shirai dropkicks Belair. We get the normal corner spot, Sane and Shirai hit a double Powerbomb on Baszler, while Baszler is holding Belair in a Gut-Wrench Suplex. Is it just me, or does this spot need to go away from multi-person matches for a bit, you know it is coming it is almost as predictable as the outcome of a CM Punk MMA fight. It is down to the Sky Pirates and Belair, the Pirates smack her around a bit until Baszler drags Sane out of the ring, Belair gets the upper hand on Shirai, who she hoists above her head and throws on the other two competitors. Baszler and Belair in the ring, Belair locks in her finish, but Baszler rolls through into the rear naked choke, she manages to escape and hit the KOD, the transition seemed slow. Shirai almost pins Baszler off a moonsault but Sane breaks up the pin, the Pirates then scrap and Sane slams Shirai on Baszler. Sane hits her beautiful elbow drop on Baszler but its Shirai's turn to break up the pin. The interaction between Sane and Shirai is my favourite portion of this match. Belair is back up and hair slaps Sane who is sat on the top rope, Belair hits a very impressive double KOD on Shirai and Sane, as she goes for the pin Baszler is back in and boots Belair in the face and locks in the rear naked choke on Belair for the submission win. A really good match, my only criticism was the slowish transitions between Baszler and Belair. But it was still great, and on any other night, may have been one of the matches of the night. 3.75 stars
Johnny Gargano vs Adam Cole 2 Out 3 Falls Match NXT Heavyweight Championship
Firstly, I love two out of three falls, when they are done right they are normally great wrestling matches. Secondly, Johnny Gargano may not have the best record at TakeOvers, but he always produces. And thirdly, Adam Cole Bay Bay! This match, no matter the result, it actually doesn't matter, either of these men will be great champions, will be awesome. It needs noting, this crowd has been red hot all night, in what has been an amazing show, has been made better by the crowd. Gargano gets some boo's, Adam Cole is definitely the fan favourite tonight. Duelling chants of Johnny Wrestling and Adam Cole ring out, honestly electric crowd. The normal feeling out spot starts this match off, no man really being in control. Some great misses and reversals end with Gargano armdragging Adam Cole and getting on top. We get a decent strike exchange which Cole comes out on top of, that is until Gargano hits an Hurricanrana, dropkick and a clothesline over the top. Gargano hits a dropkick through the rope on Cole, Cole is back in and heads straight back out the other side, drawing Gargano over to him where he hits a eziguri. Cole is on top. Gargano goes for a crossbody but gets caught with knees to the gut, but he is back up and fighting. I slingshot spear gets a near fall by Gargano. The pace has picked up, Gargano is on the second rope where he delays his jump which tricks Cole and allows Johnny to hit a DDT for another two. Cole reverses Gargano into the corner, charges in Gargano picks his feet up, Cole catches his feet spins his feet and hits a backstabber. Some pinning combos and reversals follows, Cole gets the upperhand, and hits a knee to the back of Johnny's head for the first pinfall. The second fall begins with Cole quickly going in for the win, a German Suplex by Cole, followed by the Last Shot gets another two. Johnny rolls to the apron Cole follows and gets hit with a big spear on the outside, he rolls Cole back in and goes for his Jumping DDT but gets caught in back breaker for another two count. I great call from Ranallo "Johnny has more heart than Valentines Day". Cole goes up top, but Gargano stops him and hits a big Avalance Air-raid Crash for a two count. Gargano is on the outside for his slingshot DDT, but Cole drops and rolls, Johnny ends up on the inside where he hits his Slingshot DDT on the outside, both men are down. Johnny breaks the count at 7, but he goes straight out after Cole, which is a mistake as Gargano gets slammed into the ring post. Back in the ring and Gargano locks in the Gargano escape and Cole quickly taps. Falls stand at 1-1. The third fall starts with punches exchanges, two Bicycle Kicks from Cole only lead to a big lariat from Gargano, Johnny gets caught in a Suplex and Cole gets another 2 count. Adam Cole goes up to the top but gets caught with a step up eziguri and then a violent looking lawn dart, quickly followed with a full nelson face plant. Back to a striking exchange which Cole is slightly on top of, until a Superkick is caught, followed by an exiguri exchange, and double hitting Superkicks. Again this match is awesome. A superkick to the back of Johnny Gargano's head lets Adam Cole hit a Straight Jacket German Suplex for a long two count. Cole blocks a Gargano escape and hits a back drop drive, Cole comes off the top misses and gets caught, Gargano hits a Reverse Spike Rana, A superkick but Cole rolls out of the ring. Cole drags Johnny out and hits a wheelbarrow suplex on the edge of the ring, it looks very painful. Gargano is playing possum and hits Cole with a spike DDT and a slingshot DDT, Cole is back outside and Johnny hits a dive. Back in the ring, Johnny goes for his slingshot spear which Cole blocks with a superkick and he hits a Panama Sunrise for a two count again. Cole is taunting Johnny on the outside, it just winds Gargano up who batters Cole and throws him over the Spanish Annouce table, both men are on top of said table, and Cole hits Fairy Tale ending on the table, it didn't give, it must have hurt. Cole is back in the ring and demands the ref starts counting. Up to 7 and Johnny is still a long way away, Gargano just beats the count, back in the ring and Cole hits Johnny Gargano's kick to the face, but only gets a two count. This match is spectacular. Johnny blocks another Superkick attempt with one of own and goes for the Gargano escape, but the Undisputed Era are down, O'Reilly and Fish hit the high low after a ref bump, they roll the ref back in and Johnny KICKS OUT!! Johnny Gargano manages to backdrop Cole on the rest of Undisputed Era, he takes them out, but eats a couple of Superkicks from Cole and his knee to the back of his head, it looks like it is over but no, another two count. Not a single person is sat down and if I wasn't typing neither would I. Gargano locks in the Gargano escape, Cole goes for the ropes, but Gargano rolls through, and gets the tap. Just when you think you have seen one Match of The Year, you get three in one night, my attempt at summing it up here will not do it justice, that was fucking immense. 5 stars.
OVERALL
This won't be long, it doesn't need to be. That was the single best Wrestling PPV that I have ever seen, every single match delivered. I urge you all, everyone to watch this, and watch it now. Here is one last fact, WrestleMania will not follow this, it will not be as good. Tomasso Ciampa comes out after the final match, he greets Gargano, and gives him a big hug actually perfect way to end. 5 stars.
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