NXT TakeOver 36 - Best and Worst - Samoa Joe makes history, Major problem with grudge match

#1 Best: A violent masterpiece

😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲@UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR #NXTUKTitle#NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/JPc11hq192

— WWE (@WWE) August 23, 2021

Samoa Joe wasn't the only man who made history at NXT TakeOver 36. Ilja Dragunov put on a mammoth effort opposite the dominant WALTER, as he ended The Ring General's 870-day long NXT UK Championship reign. He did so in an absolute war - one possibly better than their empty arena classic last year.

Dragunov was subject to some horrifying offense from WALTER, as evidenced by the state of his chest by the end of the match. But he dug down deep to pick up the monumental win at NXT TakeOver 36. The Russian pulled it off with a vicious sleeper hold, following many strikes to the back of the head.

NXT UK also looks like it is entering a new era, following the end of WALTER's epic title reign. Ilja Dragunov has a tough act to follow, but this match is an indication that he is up to the task.

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#1 Worst: NXT TakeOver 36 deserved a full arena of fans

NXT TakeOver 36 was an excellent show and possibly ranked among the best ones since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, at least. But it would have been so much more epic had more people witnessed the greatness.

There isn't anything wrong with the Capitol Wrestling Center, but NXT should have ideally moved TakeOver to a larger venue, if not a full-blown arena. The electric atmosphere is what makes these shows so special.

Also, with some epic moments at NXT TakeOver 36, the lack of a larger crowd felt like a missed opportunity. Samoa Joe's NXT Title win deserved a grander setting, as did the end of WALTER's record-breaking run as NXT UK Champion.