Best and Worst of NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night 1 - Historic title reign continues; Major feud abruptly canceled

#2 Worst - The piped-in crowd noise was a bit too noticeable at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver

New Larger Crowd Setup for NXT Takeover! #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/7Hjdn4CBaP

— Niko Exxtra 🌎 (@nikoexxtra) April 7, 2021

The fans have been the lifeblood of NXT TakeOver events for the longest time. It was the basis for the event's expansion from Full Sail novelty to WrestleMania week show-stealer. However, the past year enforced an unwelcome change for wrestling events around the world.

This was in no way similar to the last full TakeOver crowd in Portland, but the crowd set up was larger than what we have been used to in the Capitol Wrestling Center. However, that did not stop NXT from piping in fake crowd noises throughout the night.

It is one thing to do to enhance the existing reactions, but the chants felt way too manufactured to be authentic. As a result, the fake crowd was incredibly noticeable. It was even distracting at times. The increased crowd for NXT TakeOver should have dictated the reactions.

The presentation, look, and feel of #NXTTakeOver is PHENOMENAL. Deadly Games skull staging? Love it!Now...TURN DOWN THE FAKE CROWD NOISE.

— Doug McDonald (@DougOMac) April 8, 2021

NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver was certainly enhanced as a result of the larger audience and a unique stage set up. The piped-in crowd noise was the one major flaw in an otherwise outstanding production. It was very unlike NXT.