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Wow. Where do I even begin? NXT TakeOver: WarGames II was better than I thought it would be, by a big margin. And I had expected it to be a pretty good show, to begin with.
The thing about NXT is that they know that they put on limited shows during the year and the talent is always eager to impress. While this TakeOver event was longer than usual, it was still a fantastic show, and delivered on nearly all fronts. Yes, I will list some worsts from the evening, but don't mind me.
Let me just say before I begin this article, if it was not clear already, that there were way more bests than worsts at NXT TakeOver: WarGames. I don't know how, but each match managed to top the one prior to it.
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Here is my personal assessment of all the action.
#1 Best: WarGames delivers once again
I know that some of our reads do not watch NXT at all. If you do not, I would suggest you subscribe to the WWE Network and start watching from this event on. If this match does not make you an NXT fan, then nothing will. There was action, drama, carnage and lots of furniture in this contest.
I loved the fact that Bobby Fish locked Pete Dunne in the shark cage, so he could not join his team until bolt cutters were brought out. I popped when Ricochet performed his death defying leap from the top of the cage. I cheered when the babyfaces came out on top.
The fact of the matter is that this match delivered after two other amazing matches. Kudos to all of the men involved.
Now, this is awesome!
#1 Worst: Riddle vs. Ohno
To be fair, Matt Riddle vs. Kassius Ohno was not even on the card. But after what happened in the Kickoff show, it was moved up. It wasn't a real match, so to speak. It was a squash and therefore a shame.
And this is because I know for a fact that both men are incredibly gifted. I would have loved to see Riddle and Ohno slug it out in a long, drawn out contest. Ohno in particular has been putting over too many superstars, and needed to put on a good show.
I know that the objective was to make Matt Riddle look strong, because he is the future. I also know that there were probably some time constraints too.
But all I'm saying, bro, is that this match could have gone much longer.
#2 Best: Well, you know something brother?
The greatest tragedy of the night is that so much 'good' happened during the show, there's a potential for some of it to be overlooked. The Velveteen Dream took on Tommaso Ciampa for the top prize in NXT. It was a very explosive contest, I must say.
I personally popped when The Velveteen Dream hulked up, and delivered the big boot and the Hollywood Hogan leg drop. But that was not the most amazing thing about the match as both champion and challenger proved that they belong in the top spot. They proved why NXT is the most dominant brand in sports entertainment right now, with their performance.
Ciampa is still the Champion but I'm certain that the Dream's time is coming soon enough. It is all just a matter of time, for NXT's fastest rising superstar.
#2 Worst: Ciampa's theme song entrance
The NXT Champion, Tommaso Ciampa, may be the best heel of the modern era. So much so, that the crowd would drown him out in a sea of jeers when he made his way out of the arena in the past, because he had no theme song. It would add a lot of electricity to the match, right from the start.
Now, Ciampa has a swell new theme song that you can't help but bob your head and stomp your foot to. And in my opinion, that takes away from the hatred that the crowd rained upon Ciampa in the past. Ciampa is still amazing in the ring, but I found this to be a pet peeve of mine.
Of course, this is just a personal opinion. Do you think Ciampa is better with the theme?
#3 Best: A thrilling affair
I remember an episode of Dragon Ball Z, where some characters complain that the combat is much too fast to follow. Such was the case when Black met Johnny Gargano. It was a match filled with some of the hardest strikes. The crowd was electric for a feud that had been built up brilliantly.
The backstory made the match even more enjoyable than it was (and it was plenty enjoyable). Gargano was responsible for the attack on Black. The two men went to war in a fight that could have gone either way but ultimately, Aleister Black triumphed.
I loved the visual of Black pulling Gargano with his boots for the Black Mass. Unfortunately, this match was overshadowed by the two that followed.
On just about any other card, this would be the match of the night quite easily.
#3 Worst: Two titles not defended
Hey, maybe I'm nitpicking after what has been a great show from beginning to end. But I look at Shinsuke Nakamura and the US Champion before I say this to you. I think that the North American Championship stands a chance of becoming as irrelevant as the US Title is. This is because it's almost become an afterthought.
The Tag Team Championships have been booked a lot better of course, but I would have still liked to have seen them defended on the show. Anything that is not in the public eye at the moment stands the risk of losing some of its sheen.
Maybe Ricochet moves on to a new challenger after Adam Cole. Maybe Adam Cole moves on to Ciampa?
Some fresh feuds are the need of the hour.
#4 Best/worst: No new superstar at ringside
Many of our writers were speculating who would be spotted at ringside, in our chat group. Punishment Martinez and Chelsea Green were brought up, because they've both signed with WWE. Unfortunately, X-Pac was the only superstar that we saw at ringside this week. And his dog, if it counts.
One of the most thrilling aspects of any TakeOver is surveying who's coming over to the roster next. Matt Riddle was the last person spotted in such a manner, and he's gone on to make waves. It was disappointing to not see anyone new.
But at the same time, the current roster is supremely stacked. Maybe NXT's focus is on building the current crop of talent instead of signing a horde of new talent, at this very moment.
We did see Io Shirai and she is certainly exceptional.
