Photo credit via WWE
NXT TakeOver invaded Toronto on Saturday night it was amazing to see the NXT product live for the first time. I will provide my overall thoughts with the top three highlights in addition to the rest of the results.
Tag Team clinic
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa’s feud with the Revival went to an another level at NXT TakeOver for the NXT Tag Team Championships. This match just reinforced that tag team wrestling is very entertaining if is done correctly and with the right tag teams.
The first fall went to The Revival after a beautiful counter of a Gargano DDT into the Shatter Machine from Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder for the three count. However, Gargano and Ciampa were able to even the score with a running knee and Superkick combo to Dawson’s head several minutes later.
Then there were numerous near falls that kept the energy of the crowd at an all time high. The Revival tried to get the upper hand when they used questionable tactics but that did not work. The finishing sequence was insane Gargano locked in the Gargano No Escape and Ciampa locked in a Double under hook Crossface submission. Then both Dash and Dawson had no choice but to tap out simultaneously. DIY became your new NXT Tag Team Champions after they left everything on the line in a two out of three falls match which was a five-star match.
New NXT Champion
The main event had a big fight feel to it as expected Samoa Joe was hungry to get back the NXT Championship. I have experienced a lot of wrestling entrances live but nothing was like Shinsuke Nakamura entrance. Nakamura had a magical entrance as he entered the ring with a bunch of violinists.
It was a battle between superstars both were very physical with deadly strikes and kicks to each other. It was a back and forth intense contest both men hit their signature moves on each other but only for near falls. There was a nasty spot where Joe slammed Nakamura onto the steel steps at ringside. Joe finished off The King of Strong Style with the Muscle Buster for the victory. Samoa Joe made history as he became the first two-time NXT Champion. This outcome completely caught me off guard because I did not expect Joe to win the NXT Championship.
Glorious start
I thought that NXT TakeOver opened up the show the right way with Bobby Roode against Tye Dillinger. Bobby Roode entrance was absolutely glorious. It was special because it included a full choir singing his theme song in addition to the entire crowd singing as well. The crowd was very vocal for Tye Dillinger entrance as well, in addition whenever the referee would make a count the crowd would shout ten.
The two Canadians wanted to put on a show and they did just that in an entertaining contest. The momentum constantly shifted back and forth. Tye Dillinger looked to have the upper hand on Roode that was until Dillinger got smashed into the ring post. Then Roode capitalized by connecting with a DDT for the win for the glorious one which was a glorious homecoming.
Once again NXT TakeOver delivered on all levels and it was an entertaining special, I was invested in every match from top to bottom and I would give NXT TakeOver Toronto a perfect 10 out 10.
NXT TakeOver Toronto results
The Authors of Pain defeated TM61 to win the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic via with The Last Chapter on Shane Thorne.
Asuka defeated Mickie James via Asuka Lock to retain the NXT Women’s Championship.
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