10 Reasons why 2018 was the best year in NXT history

2. The weekly show was better than ever

Pete Dunne and Riochet performed Takeover-level at Full Sail

The general consensus among NXT fans is that Takeover specials are highly consistent in quality and, arguably, there's never actually been a bad one. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for NXT's weekly programming as it's had a very topsy turvy history . Even during NXT's first golden age in 2014-15, the hourly Wednesday night programming was largely a forum for promos and short squash matches that helped introduce indie signees and gave rookies in-ring experience, all in an effort to build up to the next Takeover. By 2016, longer matches took hold but the overall feel of the show was uninspiring, with forgettable undercard matches and boring main events interspersed with sporadic moments of brilliance.

Following Takeover: Orlando things changed. The weekly show improved with better matches and more backstage segments (which were short and entertaining, rather than drawn out and cringy as they often are on the main roster) but it wasn't consistent. After Takeover: Chicago things looked up even more, with the enthusiasm behind that event spilling over into the Summer of 2017. Finally, in the aftermath of Takeover: Brooklyn III, the change over in NXT felt complete. Since then, you could count the number of bad weekly NXT episodes with one hand. Interview segments in '18 were almost always interesting, promos and matches usually had a flair of excitement and intrigue, and production values were of the highest quality with slick camerawork, modern graphics and cool stage entrances. Surprising moments (like Aleister Black's Undertaker-like return in the middle of a Nikki Cross vs. Bianca Belair match), overlapping storylines (like Cross' involvement in male-dominated segments with Black, Kassius Ohno, Velveteen Dream and others) and Takeover-quality matches (like Gargano vs. Black in a cage) happening on a regular basis made NXT's weekly program must-watch all year.