5 Surprising moments from NXT TakeOver: New York

#1 Johnny Wrestling finally wins

Johnny Wrestling finally wins the big one.

Johnny Gargano has been putting on five-star classics to end most NXT TakeOvers since NXT Philadelphia. It was shocking at that show to see his chase of the NXT Championship come up short on that night. But you also assumed he would get his big moment shortly after that show last January. But the NXT roster isn’t one for short term storylines.

We watched Johnny go through a long feud with Ciampa, turn to the dark side to fight Aleister Black and even win the North American Championship. When the storyline ending fell through with Ciampa’s injury before New York it seemed like Johnny Gargano may not ever get his moment to shine with the NXT title.

Imagine my surprise to see Gargano overcome to odds to finally win the NXT Championship. The match with Adam Cole was fantastic. It was easily Adam Cole’s best in NXT. The third fall, in particular, had an amazing pace with a lot of believable near falls. But the sight of Johnny overcoming the cheating of all four members of the Undisputed Era to finally get his moment was special.

Or I thought it was special until I saw Ciampa come out and hug his friend. It was the culmination of two years of storytelling and a wonderful way to end another impressive NXT TakeOver.