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