NXT: TAKEOVER
Originally Aired 29th May 2014
The first thing we see of the broadcast is Adam Rose and his Rosebuds. They enter the arena ready for Adam Rose to kick off this show.
Links for each match are in the titles.
WINNER: ADAM ROSE
Original Thoughts: This was one hell of a way to kick off the TakeOver show. It's not at the quality of Cesaro vs. Zayn, but it wasn't meant to be. It was a short energetic match where the crowd had fun. Both guys got to look strong, making Rose's victory that much better, and he was over like crazy during this period. – Rating: 5.7/10 UPON REWATCH: Very different kind of opening match, this time out. Back at Arrival, they wanted to show the best NXT had to offer right out of the gate, doing what only they could do. This time around they used a popular act to warm the crowd up and get a feel-good victory in his Network Special debut. WORKRATE – 2/5 PERSONAL ENJOYMENT 2.5/5 OVERALL: 4.5/10
Adam Rose celebrates with his Rosebuds before we take a look at Tyler Breeze and Sami Zayn's respective journeys to Takeover before the next match.
WINNERS: THE ASCENSION (STILL NXT Tag Team Championships)
This was a match, on a wrestling show, that extended The Ascension's reign as NXT Tag Team Champions. That's all that really can be said for it. Whereas Arrival had the spectacle of an old tag team coming back to answer an open challenge, this just felt like a match that should have been on the WWF 1980's weekly shows. Kalisto can do a lot better, and the fans were actually into the Lucha side, you just didn't believe they had much chance of a victory. I'll rate it 4.3/10 UPON REWATCH: The Ascension continue to look dominant against all challengers and Kalisto looked resilient as fuck taking the beating that he did. Ricardo Rodrigues looked terrible as El Locale, but he wasn't in for long and his End of Man sell was pretty cool. WORKRATE – 1.5/5 PERSONAL ENJOYMENT 3.25/5 OVERALL:4.75/10
More hype for our next match
More hype for our next match
This match is available as a Blu-Ray Exclusive here
WINNER: TYLER BREEZE (#1 CONTENDER NXT CHAMPIONSHIP)
This was a good match to show the resiliency of both men. Tyler Breeze's pretty boy gimmick can sometimes make it difficult to get a real high gear intensity in his matches, but he really put it all on the line tonight to get a shot at Adrian Neville's championship. It was perfect putting him in there with Sami Zayn, who took everything Breeze had before finally succumbing to a low blow, looking great in a losing effort. Sami Zayn is bulletproof with the NXT crowd. He could do pretty much anything and get one of the best reactions of the night. Not just a “pop” but a reaction that lasts the whole match, at least. I'll rate the match 6.4/10 UPON REWATCH: Both guys went into this match looking to improve upon their Arrival performance. They both smashed that goal. Sami Zayn seems to have tweaked the Rey Mysterio Jr. mid-1990's match formula so it resonates perfectly with today's NXT crowd. They'd seriously tell his opponent to tap out to a handshake. I see the finish being divisive. It's certainly unique, and the Breeze was trying to protect himself. A good way to make Breeze look cunning and get him an important win without completely pushing Sami Zayn to the back of the line. For those interested, Breeze would get his championship match on 14th August episode of NXT (Episode #235 on the WWE Network.)
WORKRATE – 3.75/5 PERSONAL ENJOYMENT 3.5/5 OVERALL: 7.25/10
Alexander Rusev destroys Mojo Rawley with two Accolades, one in the ring, another on the ramp before a video package highlights the family legacies of both women in the next match, followed by a Paige promo about never losing the title and wishing the division luck.
WINNER: CHARLOTTE (NEW NXT WOMEN'S CHAMPION)
Both women were made to look great in this match, with Charlotte staying with the veteran hold for hold, and controlling a good portion of the match. Natalya's knee taking some damage became the main story for the end stretch, and both women were looking for their family's signature holds to end the match. The match kept a good pace and didn't go on for too long, I'd rate it 4.6/10 UPON REWATCH: The match started very 1980's NWA at a careful pace wearing each other down cautiously. Perfect for Ric Flair at ringside. Natalya got to show her “Hart” side in front on uncle Bret Hart too. The match built well. They were able to swiftly transition from the aforementioned style to showing what modern day WWE women wrestlers can do. The Figure Four added some real intensity to the match, with her facing Bret in the sharpshooter being one of the best heel moments in recent memory. They also helped Natalya's sharpshooter by not having it get too far before being kicked off, instead of reversed or broken from the ropes.
WORKRATE – 3.75/5 PERSONAL ENJOYMENT 3.5/5 OVERALL: 7.25/10
The next video package highlights Neville's 287-day reign as NXT Champion since he uncrowned Bo Dallas at Arrival. (Review here) Buy that match on the NXT's Greatest Matches DVD here or Blu Ray here
WINNER: (STILL NEXT CHAMPION – ADRIAN NEVILLE
This match had a nice simple story, and it told it well. Tyson Kidd was using NXT, the championship and by association, Neville to get his way back to the main roster, Neville wouldn't let himself or the brand he loves be a stepping stone, so he showed Tyson what Full Sail wrestlers can do. Kidd was usually just ahead of Neville in the match, but the champion had the home-field advantage, so to speak. Kidd used his crafty tricks to try and get ahead and almost won the title with the Hart sharpshooter, creating an amazing false finish. Another career-making (or furthering) match for Neville, and it shows me how underrated Tyson Kidd could be when he brought it. I'd rate it 6.8/10 UPON REWATCH: Tyson Kidd got a good showing in this match. He came to NXT to try and rejuvenate his career, he certainly did that in this match alone. William Regal's excited commentary enhances the match, a lot of people would have made it grating or taken away from the match with just sheer bias. William Regal's sounded more like respectable patriotism, and not constantly bashing Tyson Kidd. Adrian Neville was able to carry on his 2014 undefeated streak with a win over someone with main roster experience. Tyson Kidd worked awesomely well in his gatekeeper roll in NXT at this point too, adding a new layer to his character and showing more aggression in his matches. Fuelled by the notion of him only being Natalya's husband.
WORKRATE – 4.25/5 PERSONAL ENJOYMENT 4/5 OVERALL: 8.25/10
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