I don't know how the NXT crew do it, but, each TakeOver event seems to be better than the last. Let's hope TakeOver Rival doesn't break the trend!
On the card we have:
- Hideo Itami vs Tyler Breeze
- Bull Dempsey vs Baron Corbin
- Lucha Dragons vs Blake and Murphy (c) for the NXT Tag Team Championships
- Adrian Neville vs Finn Balor - The winner of this match will become the #1 contender for the NXT Championship
- Charlotte vs Sasha Banks vs Bayley vs Becky Lynch for the NXT Womens Championship
- Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn (c) for the NXT Championship
Hideo Itami vs Tyler Breeze
The match starts with both men going back and forth. Hideo picks up some momentum hitting Breeze with a few stiff kicks (vintage KENTA!) before sending him out the ring. Breeze gets back in and is met with a cross body and even more kicks from Itami.
Breeze begins to pick up steam, targeting Itami's most valuable asset - his legs. The ref checks on Hideo before Breeze starts attacking him again. Itami is led over to the ringpost where Breeze starts brutalising his leg against it. Breeze then puts Itami in the figure four leg lock around the ringpost, working the refs count and letting go at the very last second. Both men get back in the ring and Breeze locks in an inverted figure four in the middle of the ring. Itami manages to drag himself to the rope for the break.
Breeze begins to pick up steam, targeting Itami's most valuable asset - his legs. The ref checks on Hideo before Breeze starts attacking him again. Itami is led over to the ringpost where Breeze starts brutalising his leg against it. Breeze then puts Itami in the figure four leg lock around the ringpost, working the refs count and letting go at the very last second. Both men get back in the ring and Breeze locks in an inverted figure four in the middle of the ring. Itami manages to drag himself to the rope for the break.
Breeze continues to work on Hideo until Hideo gets him up on his shoulders teasing the now infamous move he invented - the GTS. Breeze squirms out and hits a supermodel kick for the 2 count.
After the near fall Breeze starts going at Itami in the middle of the ring. Hideo "hulks up" and hits a combination of forearm strikes and kicks, forcing Breeze into the corner.
Hideo then hits the hesitation drop kick and the running kick for the pinfall victory.
Hideo Itami def. Tyler Breeze
What a great opening match. I think Tyler Breeze is great, and really has his character down to a tee. I'm not alone in thinking Breeze has been somewhat overlooked since the insurgence of high profile indy talent over the last 6 months, but tonight I thought he really shone. He made Itami look great with hi selling. Itami looks to be gaining more confidence and adapting more to the WWE style of wrestling, which can only be a good thing. The crowd went insane when they teased the GTS, and I'm sure when he finally hits it, the roof will explode off of the Full Sail arena.
Overall, a decent match and its setting up nicely for a feud between the two for the next couple of weeks.
Baron Corbin vs Bull Dempsey
In the battle of the big guys Corbin faces off against Dempsey for their third encounter, however, this time it's a no DQ match.
The match starts when Corbin rushes to the ring to get to Dempsey. They begin brawling and then head out of the ring. Corbin gets the upper hand as they head in and out of the ring. The two men make it up to the ramp where Corbin eats a suplex onto the steel. Dempsey is now in control as he heads under the ring to find a foreign object. Bull forces his opponent back into the ring. He goes for a running rope move but Corbin gets himself together in time to counter it with a spinebuster, followed by a two count. Both men get back on their feet. Dempsey is against the ropes and Corbin goes for the clothesline. They botch this spot and somehow Corbin ends up outside the ring and Dempsey throws himself over the ropes, which is met by huge boos from the full sail crowd. Dempsey gets Corbin back in the ring and goes to the top rope. He hits the diving headbut and goes for the pin but Baron Corbin manages to kick out at 2. An enraged Dempsey batters Corbin against the steel steps and then brings a chair into the ring. Dempsey tries to hit Corbin with the chair but he misses and walks into Corbins finisher - the end of days. Corbin gets the pinfall victory.
Baron Corbin def. Bull Dempsey
This match was pretty boring for a no DQ match. The only aspect of the stipulation that both men used was the no count out rule. The majority of the match took place outside the ring. The match was pretty sluggish. The standout point in the match was the botched the clothesline. The full capacity Full Sail crowd were no sympathetic, and pretty much booed the house down, the let both guys know that they'd "f***ed up". Corbin ends up getting the pinfall victory after hitting his finisher. I'm not sold on this manoeuvre. It seems the guy giving the move is taking more damage than the guy taking it, it's as if Corbin is giving himself a rock bottom... It just looks weird.
Lucha Dragons vs Blake and Murphy (c) for the NXT Tag Team Championships
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Sin Cara starts the match off by taking both Blake and Murphy out. He then hits a springboard forearm on Blake and begins to set the pace of the match. Blake and Sin Cara go back and forth until both men end up groggy in the corners. Murphy tries to get involved but Kalisto gets in the ring and stops him from interfering. Kalisto botched a dive outside of the ring but eventually connects with Murphy, allowing Blake and Sin Cara to continue in the ring. Back in the squared circle Sin Cara connects with a top rope Enziguri followed by a victory roll for the two count. Both men get back to their parters and make the tags, Murphy goes straight after Kalisto, however the lucha dragon gets the upperhand with a series of springboard moves and arm drags. He drags Murphy over to Sin Cara and makes a tag. The two men then perform a double kick and a wheelbarrow senton onto the tag team champ. The match goes back and forth with Blake and Sin Cara each giving and receiving near falls. The match ends when Murphy gives Sin Cara a running suplex and Blake delivers a frog splash from the top rope onto the former champion.
Blake and Murphy def Lucha Dragons to retain the NXT Tag Team Championships.
This match never seemed to pick up. There was no real flow from the two teams. Sin Cara made an early botch and I think it was a precedent of what was to follow. The announcers spent the majority of the match putting over Blake and Murphy and giving a back story on who the NXT Tag Team Champions actually where. Although this was to be expected as they seem to have appeared from nowhere. A pretty standard counter/near pin fall match up. I feel it had the potential to be a lot more than what it was but it never seemed to really grab my attention.
Ps. Blake and Murphys entrance theme is really, really awful!
Adrian Neville v Finn Balor for a shot at the NXT Championship
After the spectacle that is Finn Balors entrance is over, the two men start the match off slow, with Neville taking control early on applying a series of rest holds. The match begins to pick up pace with both men exchanging blows in the middle of the ring. Balor hits a a big drop kick on Neville sending him out the ring. he goes for the suicide dive but is met by Neville on the apron, who then delivers a springboard legdrop on Finn for the near fall. The match takes a steady pace again with both men trying to gain the upper hand. Neville manages to connect with a drop kick on the apron to Balor followed by big suplex but, again, only manages a 2 count. The two men begin playing the cautious game again adapting a slow pace, waiting for the other to slip up. Finn manages to get Adrian Neville into the corner and then connects with an Enziguri, sending the former NXT Champion outside the ring. Balor then connects with a huge dive outside the ring, met by big "NXT" chants from the sold out crowd. Neville tries to retreat but Balor hunts him down and hits a big double leg drop on Neville who is rested against the barrier. Finn Balor then rolls Neville back into the ring and goes to the top rope, connecting with a double foot stomp to the back of Nevilles head, but, he only manages to keep the Geordie down for 2. After finding his bearings again the longest reigning former NXT Champion manages to level the playing field with a series of kicks to Finn Balor, which leaves both men groggy in the middle of the ring. After going back and forth again, Neville ends up top rope for the second time and goes for the Red Arrow. Balor manages to get his knees up just in time and goes for the small package for the 2 and a 1/2 count. Balor then hits a huge drop kick into the turn buckle, followed by a coup de grace for the win, and a shot at the NXT Championship!
Finn Balor def Adrian Neville to become the new #1 contender for the NXT Championship
What a match. Even before the match begins, the spectacle really begun. Finn Balors entrance is like no other, it really does hype the crowd up for what they're going to see. I'm so happy Balor has transitioned his body paint from his indie days into the WWE, because it really fits in with his character.
The match itself was, in my opinion, outstanding. These men really know how to go and know how to tell a good story, keeping the fans engaged and on the edges of their seats. The match was filled with everything you need to create a great showing - near falls, high spots and good technical wrestling. This has been the best match of the night so far, and maybe even these two guys best match of their NXT careers. With only 2 matches left on the card, they've definitely set the bar.
Charlotte (c) v Sasha Banks v Bayley v Becky Lynch for the NXT Womens Championship
After a great pre match video package, this contest gets underway. We kick off with all three challengers targeting the champion. Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks end up taking Charlotte out of the match early on, driving her into the ring apron and breaking the LED screen in the process. Both women then target Bayley double teaming her into the turnbuckle and then both of them attempting to pin her at the same time. The former team mates start arguing and Becky hits Sasha with a pump handle suplex, sending her out of the ring. She then sets her sights back on Bayley, laying into her. Becky continues to work Bayley over in the ring until Sasha gets back into the equation, attacking Becky and letting Bayley get outside the ring to collect herself. Both females go back and forth until Lynch hits a big drop kick from the top rope. She goes for the pin but the champion Charlotte gets back in the ring and breaks it up. Charlotte begins to dominate the two ladies, handing them both big neckbreakers in the process. Bayley ends up back in the ring and all four women brawl for a few seconds before Charlotte sends her back outside with a big boot. Sasha Banks then drives Charlotte into the ring post and hangs her up on the ropes, Becky Lynch tries to get involved but ends up hung up on the ropes herself, too. Sasha Banks then connects with a double knee drop onto the two ladies. She covers both competitors, but only manages two two counts. A frustrated Banks begins to melt down in the ring, allowing Bayley back in the match. She sneaks up on her and delivers a suplex to "the Boss". Bayley then sets her sights on the champion, who's resting against the turnbuckle. She connects with multiple vicious corner back elbows. Bayley then takes Charlotte to the top rope and hits a huge hurricanrana on the NXT Womens Champion. Bayley then hits the Bayley to Belly suplex but Becky Lynch breaks up the pin at 2. The two women then go at it outside the ring and on the ramp, until, out of nowhere, they are met by a suicide dive from Sasha Banks, taking all three of them out. After all three women get back on their feet on the outside of the ring, Charlotte hits a diving cross body from the ring, taking then all out again. Charlotte and Sasha Banks end up back in the ring. They go back and forth until Sasha Banks locks in a submission in the middle of the ring. It looks like Charlotte is about to tap out, but, before she can, Sasha releases the hold and applies a crucifix pin for the 3 count, the win and the NXT Womens Championship.
Sasha Banks def Charlotte (c), Becky Lynch and Bayley to become the new NXT Womens Champion
After the spectacle that is Finn Balors entrance is over, the two men start the match off slow, with Neville taking control early on applying a series of rest holds. The match begins to pick up pace with both men exchanging blows in the middle of the ring. Balor hits a a big drop kick on Neville sending him out the ring. he goes for the suicide dive but is met by Neville on the apron, who then delivers a springboard legdrop on Finn for the near fall. The match takes a steady pace again with both men trying to gain the upper hand. Neville manages to connect with a drop kick on the apron to Balor followed by big suplex but, again, only manages a 2 count. The two men begin playing the cautious game again adapting a slow pace, waiting for the other to slip up. Finn manages to get Adrian Neville into the corner and then connects with an Enziguri, sending the former NXT Champion outside the ring. Balor then connects with a huge dive outside the ring, met by big "NXT" chants from the sold out crowd. Neville tries to retreat but Balor hunts him down and hits a big double leg drop on Neville who is rested against the barrier. Finn Balor then rolls Neville back into the ring and goes to the top rope, connecting with a double foot stomp to the back of Nevilles head, but, he only manages to keep the Geordie down for 2. After finding his bearings again the longest reigning former NXT Champion manages to level the playing field with a series of kicks to Finn Balor, which leaves both men groggy in the middle of the ring. After going back and forth again, Neville ends up top rope for the second time and goes for the Red Arrow. Balor manages to get his knees up just in time and goes for the small package for the 2 and a 1/2 count. Balor then hits a huge drop kick into the turn buckle, followed by a coup de grace for the win, and a shot at the NXT Championship!
Finn Balor def Adrian Neville to become the new #1 contender for the NXT Championship
What a match. Even before the match begins, the spectacle really begun. Finn Balors entrance is like no other, it really does hype the crowd up for what they're going to see. I'm so happy Balor has transitioned his body paint from his indie days into the WWE, because it really fits in with his character.
The match itself was, in my opinion, outstanding. These men really know how to go and know how to tell a good story, keeping the fans engaged and on the edges of their seats. The match was filled with everything you need to create a great showing - near falls, high spots and good technical wrestling. This has been the best match of the night so far, and maybe even these two guys best match of their NXT careers. With only 2 matches left on the card, they've definitely set the bar.
Charlotte (c) v Sasha Banks v Bayley v Becky Lynch for the NXT Womens Championship
Sasha Banks def Charlotte (c), Becky Lynch and Bayley to become the new NXT Womens Champion
Wow. I've just said the match before was the match of the night, but the women have well and truly blown it out the park. The match was full of excitement. The double knee drop to to Charlotte and Lynch, the Suicide dive by Banks and the flying cross body by Charlotte are stand out moments. The women told a great story throughout the match. Bayleys comeback against Charlotte, hitting her signature moves and nearly scoring a pinfall, was great and adds to her "underdog" character. As cliche as it sounds, these women have stole the show, but the MVP in my opinion, was the new NXT Womens Champion, Sasha Banks. She seemed to have kicked it into another gear tonight, and here's hoping she gets a lengthy, well deserved title reign. The only downfall to the match was the ending. Although Sasha went over the champion, clean, the pin kind of seemed anti climactic compared to the showcase we had just seen. Putting that aside these girls still put on a stellar performance, and have certainly showed the divas from the main roster up. This match has has done more for womens wrestling in the WWE than the full divas division has in the past 5 years, but maybe that's to do with the restraints put on the main roster divas, who knows?
Sami Zayn (c) v Kevin Owens for the NXT Championship
Owens starts the match off slowly, stalling the match and getting outside the ring, frustrating the NXT Champion Sami Zayn. Owens continues to tease Zayn getting in and out of the ring, laughing in the process. Sami has had enough and goes for a running top rope dive, over the referee, connecting with Owens on the ramp. Sami Zayn gets Kevin Owens into the ring and starts taking control of the match, laying into his rival. Owens manages to gain the upper hand, hitting Zayn with some hard hitting offence. Owens works over Zayn in the middle of the ring and goes for the pinfall, only managing the 1 count. Sami tries to fight back but Owens picks him up and drops him onto the ropes. Owens continues to keep control of the match, connecting with a huge gut buster and senton, but again, only managing to keep Sami down for 2. The two men end up outside of the ring, where Owens brutalises the champion once more. Sami, however, manages to make a comeback, hitting Owens with a series of strikes, and a lariat before rolling him back in the ring. Once in the squared circle again, Sami hits a blue thunder bomb on Owens for the nearfall. Zayn sets up for a helluva kick but Owens manages to connect with a superkick, followed by a cannonball. Kevin Owens then hits his unnamed finisher move, but Sami kicks out at 2 and a half. Owens then goes for the pop up powerbomb, but Sami reverses it into a half and half suplex for another near fall. The two men end up outside the ring again, where Owens sets up for an apron powerbomb. Sami is wise to this tho and grabs onto the ropes before Owens can finish the manoeuvre. Sami then hits a top rope move, but appears to have hut his head off the ramp in the process. Sami looks disorientated and this allows Owens to connect with the pop up powerbomb, but again, Sami kicks out at 2. Owens then starts brutalising Zayn again, laying into him with heavy strikes. The ref breaks it up to check on Zayn, but Owens continues to attack him, hitting Zayn with multiple powerbombs. The match was stopped and Owens won by technical knock out.
Kevin Owens def Sami Zayn (c) by TKO to win the NXT Championship
NXT have managed to get years and years of emotion and build up into a feud only 2 months in the making, and that is amazing. Bringing the personal side by including the family of Owens was a cool move, especially for the heel, in my opinion. The match wasn't the best of the night, but storytelling wise, it blew the others out of the water. This match made you believe Kevin Owens was a legitimate, tough, bad ass, and it further solidified Sami Zayns resilience and "never say die" attitude. They had some pretty cool spots, and teased the move that broke the friendship and started the fued, the apron powerbomb. The next couple of months on NXT will be good viewing, Owens as the champion and Zayn chasing makes much more sense to me. Sami Zayn is better at chasing the title than he is at actually holding it. The match also got Owens some huge heat. Coming in as an already established guy, and getting cheers when he wasn't supposed to, something had to be done. Brutalising a fan idol such as Zayn in the way that he did certainly done the job. A great battle in the early stages of the Owens/Zayn war. I can't wait for round two.
I said at the start of the blog that I had hoped that this takeover special wouldn't disappoint, and it didn't! There seems to be a trend with the NXT guys that (almost) everything they touch turns to gold. The only things letting this show down was the awful Dempsey and Corbin match, and the tag team match. Dempsey and Corbin look like fish out of water compared to the guys and girls that made this event and its predecessors so great. The tag team match had a lot of potential, but it never really caught my attention, and was full of botches - disappointing.
With that being said though...
The fatal four way - Amazing
Balor/Neville - Amazing
Owens/Zayn - Amazing
NXT TakeOver Rival... Amazing!
I'm counting down the days until the next special.
TL:DR - Fantastic Fatal Four way, Balor is boss, KILL OWENS KILL!
Thanks for reading guys, please feel free to leave any comments!
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