NXT TakeOver 36 - Star ratings for every match

Karrion Kross vs. Samoa Joe for the NXT Championship - NXT TakeOver 36

HERE WE GO.MAIN EVENT TIME at #NXTTakeOver 36!@SamoaJoe returns to the ring to challenge @WWEKarrionKross for the #WWENXT Championship.🦚 @peacockTV https://t.co/O4Pyhh5k3P🌎 @WWENetwork https://t.co/nlCkSwiAuM pic.twitter.com/PCJLjvoNUu

— WWE (@WWE) August 23, 2021

The main event of NXT TakeOver 36 was a showdown of NXT Champion Karrion Kross defending against Samoa Joe. The lead-up saw Joe return to the brand as an enforcer to General Manager William Regal. After weeks of tension with Kross, Joe was the special guest referee in his title defense against Johnny Gargano. Despite Kross getting the win, he choked out Joe following the match.

This broke one of the first rules set down for Samoa Joe upon his return. Regal told Joe that he couldn't put his hands on any talent unless provoked, which Kross definitely does just that. Samoa Joe went looking for revenge, but Karrion Kross attacked GM Regal instead. This further infuriated Joe and led to a challenge for NXT TakeOver 36.

The past few weeks have seen Kross avoid Joe until the go-home episode of NXT. The two men got into a huge brawl that went all over the CWC arena with security and officials trying to separate them. This was just a tease for how much animosity had built between both men heading into NXT TakeOver 36.

The entrances for this NXT TakeOver 36 main event told a story within itself. The crowd was heavily behind Samoa Joe from the start, while Karrion Kross's aura was severely hampered by the absence of Scarlett in his corner. Joe came out, winning an early strike exchange and nailing Kross with a Pele Kick. However, Kross got control when the action went to the floor.

The SAMOAN SUBMISSION MACHINE!@SamoaJoe@WWEKarrionKross#NXTChampionship#NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/4OVq6Xw5SE

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) August 23, 2021

Kross hit his vicious strikes, landed forearms to the back of the head, but Joe rolled to the outside. Samoa Joe made a comeback and hit a cool-looking belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. He also caught Kross with his signature uranage in the corner.

Kross attacked Joe with knees in the corner, but Joe landed a Pele Kick and followed with the Muscle Buster to win the NXT Championship. This felt off and didn't have the vibe of vintage NXT TakeOver main events. It wasn't bad, but it had just good wrestling from both men. Karrion Kross's booking made it challenging to care for him here at NXT TakeOver 36.

This was never clearer than during this NXT TakeOver 36 main event. Kross brought something different about a character and his presentation, but the main roster booking and Scarlett's absence ripped a lot of what made him successful. Despite it all, it was a special moment seeing Samoa Joe return to the ring and become the first three-time NXT Champion.

Star rating: ***