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Just like every single NXT TakeOver before this, Vengeance Day was a rousing success. It was of typically high quality, with the card being filled with great matches and memorable moments. A Valentine's Day well spent.
Every single match ranged from good to excellent, while we got a huge shocker to close the show. NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day was a near-perfect show that delivered from top to bottom. Any flaws in the event are subjective to tastes or may be based on the lack of a worthy fallout.
Here is the best and worst of NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day. It shouldn't come as a major surprise, but the 'Worst' category is nearly empty. If you happen to disagree with any of the points made in this article, please feel free to leave your opinions in the comments section below.
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#1 Best - Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez make history at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day
The opening match at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day saw the first-ever female Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic winners being crowned. As was expected at the start of the tournament, Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez won the trophy. They beat Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon in an intense final.
This continues the upward surge in momentum for Gonzalez, in particular, who picked up a dominant victory for Team Candice at NXT TakeOver: WarGames. She even ran Rhea Ripley out of NXT, destroying her in a Last Woman Standing Match one month ago.
Gonzalez and Kai have been on a roll for a while and this victory gives them something substantial to show for it. They could even become the next WWE Women's Tag Team Champions. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler should be very worried.
The titles absolutely must change hands when Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez challenge for them. NXT would book the women's tag team division with much more care than RAW and SmackDown ever did. It would also be sweet to see Dakota Kai get her long-awaited revenge on Shayna Baszler, who was a major thorn in her side at NXT.
#2 Worst - No shenanigans from The Way at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day
It may be slightly nitpicky, but NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day could have done with more variety. Don't get me wrong, Johnny Gargano and Kushida put on a spectacular match. But NXT could have leaned towards heavier involvement for the North American Champion's faction, The Way.
Gargano and The Way have been the highlight of NXT over the past month or so, particularly during the go-home episode for NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day. They are an absolute riot as was proved during their brief appearance during the show. However, that did not play into the match.
As The Way was heading out, Dexter Lumis grabbed Austin Theory and took him away. Upon realizing that Theory was missing, Gargano sent Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell to find him. That was the last we saw of them at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day. At the very least, Candice could have played a role in helping her husband retain his title.
In a show filled with long and intense matches, a portion of this 25-minute match between Johnny Gargano and Kushida could have been dedicated to some entertaining shenanigans featuring The Way. That being said, it isn't the worst thing since we got a fantastic match out.
#3 Best - No singles stars in the Men's Dusty Classic Final at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day
While Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez won the Women's Dusty Cup at NXT TakeOver: Vengenace Day, the men's tournament went to MSK. Formerly known as The Rascalz in IMPACT Wrestling, the young duo wowed the world in the finals against the Grizzled Young Veterans.
Following an incredible flurry of moves from both sides, Nash Carter and Wes Lee just about managed to defeat Zack Gibson and James Drake to win the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. This was the first time that the tournament final was contested between two legitimate tag teams.
Usually, the Dusty Cup is won by a pair of singles stars. Finn Balor and Samoa Joe were the inaugural winners in 2015, while Aleister Black and Ricochet won it in 2019. Even though their on-screen chemistry would glow, Matt Riddle and Pete Dunne were not together before their victory in last year's tournament.
It seemed likely that Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher would win the Dusty Cup, but their elimination on NXT left us pleasantly surprised. MSK vs. GYV at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day was a proper showcase of tag team wrestling and how good it can be, even in WWE.
#4 Best - Finn Balor retains his NXT Championship in an absolute war at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day
Before we get to the big finale, let us get to the main event of NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day. And boy, what a match it was! Finn Balor and Pete Dunne tore each other apart for the NXT Championship. This was an absolute war, a treat for the fans.
This was every bit as hard-hitting as Balor's matches with Kyle O'Reilly as neither man held back one bit. They both locked up in brutal-looking submission moves, with Dunne stepping up and showcasing his brutality. The Bruiserweight snapped Balor's fingers and hit the Bitter End for an intense near-fall.
However, despite how impressive Dunne was at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day, the NXT Champion retained his title. He put on a gritty performance, weathering the former NXT UK Champion's storm before unleashing one of his own. Balor even removed his challenger's mouthguard before finishing him off.
The fact that Finn Balor picked up the victory with the 1916, a move named after the Irish uprising against the British rule on Easter Sunday that year, might have made the win sweeter. It was the most fitting move to end a match between Britain and Ireland's finest superstars.
#5 Best/Worst - Adam Cole turns heel at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day
Just when it seemed like NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day would go off the air without any major surprises, Adam Cole truly "shocked the system". He superkicked Finn Balor during their show-closing pose, much to the bewilderment of Kyle O'Reilly.
Cole then superkicked his long-time friend, ending the Undisputed Era as we know it. While it was speculated for a while, nobody truly believed that NXT's biggest faction would break up before moving to RAW or SmackDown. These are exciting times following NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day, but there is a potential downside.
Unless a new faction is formed from the rubble, it would be difficult to see Cole, O'Reilly, and Strong succeed on WWE's main roster. The Undisputed Era had a great chance of success as a unit, but their fate remains to be seen. The good thing, though, is that neither of them will be leaving NXT for a while.
Adam Cole's heel turn at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day opens up a ton of storytelling possibilities. Finn Balor will likely defend the NXT Championship against him, possibly with Kyle O'Reilly in the mix as well. A triple threat between them could happen at WrestleMania 37 since it is a two-night event.
However, the money match is between Cole and O'Reilly. With Roderick Strong caught in the middle, there is a lot of uncertainty and intrigue surrounding the split. One thing can be guaranteed, though. Their eventual singles match at the next NXT TakeOver will be a classic.
What do you think will happen next? Are you happy with Adam Cole turning heel and Undisputed Era splitting up?
