5 most memorable NXT matches of 2021

WWE NXT had one of its most divisive years of the brand's existence. After coming up short in the Wednesday Night Wars against AEW Dynamite, the black and gold brand moved nights to Tuesday. It resulted in better ratings and the same quality programming, but more changes were to come when a rebrand to NXT 2.0 was implemented in September.

The rebrand has been met with positive and negative reviews from fans. However, NXT has produced exceptional in-ring matches on television and pay-per-view under any name. Its performers continued to deliver some of the best professional wrestling in WWE for 2021.

With the final NXT 2.0 episode in the books, it is an ideal time to remember all of the marvelous contests that went down on the brand this year. TakeOver may have gone by name, but the final editions offered stellar action as well as on their weekly television show. In this article, let's take a look at the five most memorable NXT matches of 2021.

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5) WALTER vs. Tommaso Ciampa for the NXT UK Championship (NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night 1)

As previously mentioned, WWE finally ended the Wednesday Night Wars this year when they announced NXT was moving to Tuesdays. Closing out on a bang, the brand presented the first night of their WrestleMania week edition of TakeOver entitled "Stand and Deliver" on their weekly television output.

One of the most anticipated bouts of the evening saw WALTER defend the NXT UK Championship against Tommaso Ciampa. The former NXT Champion came out motivated and looking to recapture his previous fire. He did just that in a passionate and determined effort. Ciampa brought everything he had to the Ring General in a thrilling clash.

Ciampa's non-stop clothslines were a highlight and showcased the beauty of simplicity that this contest emphasized. The finish did the same with WALTER defeating Ciampa with a chop to the chest to retain the NXT UK Championship. It was the showstealer of the Stand and Deliver two night event and displayed why WALTER is one of the best wrestlers in the world.

4) Finn Balor vs. Pete Dunne for the NXT Championship (NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day)

Finn Balor's second NXT Championship reign got off to a brilliant start in 2020 with a series of remarkable showdowns with Kyle O'Reilly. It was Pete Dunne who stepped up next to the Prince and challenged for the gold at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day.

This was one of the most physically intense main events in WWE all year. Both men came out with a level of aggression that wasn't typically seen in the squared circle. Balor and Dunne put on a technical wrestling clinic that showed why NXT trusted these two men to close out their first major event of the year. Finn defeated the Bruiserweight to retain the title.

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3) Adam Cole vs. Kyle O'Reilly (WWE NXT: Great American Bash 2021)

Following the previous entry, Adam Cole shocked the NXT Universe by hitting Finn Balor a superkick and delivering another to his Undisputed Era stablemate Kyle O'Reilly. With that one decision, the most successful stable in the brand's history was no more. Cole and O'Reilly headlined NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver Night 2 in a brutal, unsanctioned match, which Kyle won.

Adam Cole looked to have earned a measure of revenge in a singles bout against his former friend on the Great American Bash special of NXT. Cole claimed that he was the better wrestler and proved it with a victory. This contest was better than their Stand and Deliver main event because the two men streamlined what they did previously to deliver a more appealing and satisfying in-ring encounter.

2) Johnny Gargano vs. KUSHIDA for the NXT North American Championship (NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day)

To end 2020, Johnny Gargano made history by becoming the first three-time NXT North American Champion in the brand's history. Johnny Wrestling didn't have quite the in-ring output that he delivered previously last year, but things changed almost immediately in 2021 when he faced KUSHIDA at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day.

KUSHIDA had a disappointing start to his WWE career. After signing with the company and debuting on NXT in April of 2019, the former six-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion didn't have his first TakeOver match until October of 2020. This marked a change in the direction of his character where KUSHIDA showed a new edge that led him to his high profile title match.

The two men came in and crafted a fantastic encounter for the North American Championship. There were smooth transitions, flawless counters and some exhilarating drama that had the fans on the edge of their seats. KUSHIDA showed some of the Time Splitter of old and was excellent with his submissions in this one.

Johnny Gargano tapped into what made him Johnny TakeOver with another classic on stage. The North American Champion unloaded his entire arsenal, including the One Final Beat, to defeat KUSHIDA and retain the gold. It was the match of the night on a terrific event for NXT.

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1) WALTER vs. Ilja Dragunov for the NXT UK Championship (NXT TakeOver 36)

It would take an all-time great bout to top the previous entry, but that is exactly what the final NXT TakeOver event had for fans to enjoy. WALTER might be the most consistent TakeOver performer of all time. From his win over Pete Dunne at TakeOver New York to his previously mentioned banger against Tommaso Ciampa at Stand and Deliver, the Ring General has been unreal on the show.

WALTER delivered a Match of the Year candidate last year against Ilja Dragunov on NXT UK TV. It was one of the most physical contests in WWE history. The empty arena esthetics added to every crushing blow WALTER gave to Ilja and made the final conclusion of Dragunov failing that much more disappointing. The two men are set for a highly anticipated rematch at TakeOver 36.

All the hype heading in was delivered on in spades. The addition of fans gave this a big match feel. The drama in this one was unbelievable. Despite the story fitting for Dragunov to finally win, WALTER had an insurmountable aura around him that made beating the Ring General unrealistic.

Ilja Dragunov suffered through another brutal beating at the hands of WALTER, but he didn't stay down and continued to fight. Dragunov was superb as a resilient babyface and survived all of WALTER's big moves. The splash off the top rope, the powerbomb and the massive chop to the chest were all kicked out of by Ilja.

Dragunov finally overcame the odds and did the unthinkable. He applied a sleeper to WALTER and shockingly made the Imperium leader tap out. After 870 days on top of NXT UK, WALTER was dethroned by Ilja Dragunov in a bonafide TakeOver classic. That's why WALTER vs. Ilja Dragunov at TakeOver 36 is the most memorable NXT match of 2021.