NXT Takeover: Phoenix

[GoldenAzazel]

Jk lolz good show

Good to see you, Lake.

 

[FamousSFO]

Just started Takeover, but Holy shit that tag match. Tag Title matches on Takeovers always seem to be barn burners.

Of course War Raiders did their fair share, but man KO’Reilly and Roddy Strong have insane chemistry

 

[Fedorable]

Just watched the first match. Fat guys vs vanilla midgets. Fat guys, only one fat enough to be a pro-wrestler, do tons of solo and double power moves and a tiny jobber from 1978 repeatedly kicks out. Moves don't mean anything. Prowrestlers will eventually evolve to all being 5'4".

 

[FamousSFO]

Matt Riddles theme Suuuuuuucks

 

[squirrelynuts]

WHERE THE FUcK IS THE NEW THREAD

You’re alive

 

[lakersfan45]

You’re alive

Bawitdaba birches

 

[Thrawn33]

Just started Takeover, but Holy shit that tag match. Tag Title matches on Takeovers always seem to be barn burners.

Because NXT gives a fuck about tag teams?

 

[deezy]

Do they really? They only do one tag team program for Takeovers even though NXT have a bunch of tag teams who are just sitting on te sidelines.

Just saying.

 

[lordsai]

 

[Wrath of Foamy]

Do they really? They only do one tag team program for Takeovers even though NXT have a bunch of tag teams who are just sitting on te sidelines.

Just saying.

There are only five spots on the card, the main title, North American, the Women's and the Tag.

Though, as much as I like to see Riddle, his match could have been replaced with something else...

 

[D.R.H.]

Just got done with this show...Sports entertained confirmed.

Undisputed vs War Raiders:
Best match on the show involves Undisputed once again...not a coincidence. This was a great match...loved it. Need more of this...I would gladly murder @AndersonsFoot twice if we could get both these teams on the main roster working serious programs with The Revival and AOP.

Riddle vs Ohno:
Decent match...I like the idea of what they did with the finish...but it felt flat when Ohno tapped 3 seconds into it. Should have had Riddle beat on him for a while longer before the tap to strikes...other than that it was fine.

Richochet vs Gargano.
Sigh...Ricochet frustrates the shit out of me. He's got all the God given talent in the world but still doesn't understand the difference between wrestling and killing time between big spots. He doesn't understand how to tell a story...he just putters along between big moments. Too many of his spots rely on his opponent either suddenly developing slow motion syndrome or just twiddling their thumbs while he gets ready for some flippy shit. Didn't like this match, but Gargano is solid so it didn't become so Young Bucks level bullshit.

Baszler vs Belair:
Solid match...I like Shayna...she's really come a long way and I can buy into what she's doing/saying with her character. Belair did a good job remembering to sell the arm with even regular moves (telling a story Ricochet, take notes) and looked good with her stuff. The hair whip cutting Shayna made for a cool spot. Good match...Shafir and Duke still look awkward though

Black vs Ciampa:
I liked this matched...once again they told a story throughout (I'm looking at you Ricochet). The entire thing was well done. I don't know if they planned that slip on the water spot from earlier to give Ciampa the time to hit his finish...if they did that was a brilliant tie in to earlier in the match...if they didn't plan it commentary jumping on it was brilliant on their part. Great match...second best on the card imho.

Fun show overall...ah wait...shizzle...we're not going back to Gargano v Ciampa again are we? Wait...no...we're going with evil DIY? Fuck...yeah!

I give this show 4.3 out of 5 Fuck the Young Bucks!

 

[Wrath of Foamy]

Speaking of which, that is one of my two complaints about the show.

Matt Riddle was always going to win, as Kassiua Ohno winning would have caused harm to his push. As talented and as creative Ohno is, he is damaged character wise and he looks horrible physically.

Bianca Belair wasn't in the right spot and wasn't on the level needed to get something good out of Baezler. A character as obnoxious as hers should never be in the face role...

 

[D.R.H.]

Undisputed Era could have a great match with literally anyone, I swear.

 

[El Dandy]

Richochet vs Gargano.
Sigh...Ricochet frustrates the shit out of me. He's got all the God given talent in the world but still doesn't understand the difference between wrestling and killing time between big spots. He doesn't understand how to tell a story...he just putters along between big moments. Too many of his spots rely on his opponent either suddenly developing slow motion syndrome or just twiddling their thumbs while he gets ready for some flippy shit. Didn't like this match, but Gargano is solid so it didn't become so Young Bucks level bullshit.

Spot on re: Riccochet

 

[D.R.H.]

Spot on re: Riccochet

 

[squirrelynuts]

Bawitdaba birches

 

[Ozymandias]

1. Gargano vs Ricochet
2. UE Vs War Raiders
3. Black vs Ciampa
4. Bianca vs Shayna
5. Riddle vs Ohno

Overall, I'd say it was a pretty good TakeOver. There have been better ones but this was still solid. Only match I wasn't into was Riddle vs Ohno and I usually like Riddle's matches. Shayna is not at the point where she can carry matches herself and she probably will never be there, which sucks. Black should be moved up. Undisputed Era are still going strong, even with the loss tonight. UE and Gargano/Ciampa, along with Dream are gonna carry NXT this year I think. Hopefully they don't get moved up too soon. I guess for Gargano/Ciampa, if they end up having one more match, the loser should be moved up. I'm just worried we'll get Gargano and Ricochet in 205 Live or some shit down the line. I really think Adam Cole is gonna be "the guy" in NXT. Should be an interesting year for the brand.

Same match ranking for me, but here's the STARS!

Gargano Ricochet - ****½
UE War - ****¼
Black Ciampa - ***¾
Bianca Shayna - ***
Ohno Riddle - **½