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While it didn't quite live up to the massive hype, NXT TakeOver: War Games II was nevertheless a great show, and as usual, the main roster pay per view tonight is going to have a hard time surpassing it.
Let's take a look back at some of the night's best moments on the night.
#10 Pete Dunne charges in
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Pete Dunne was itching to get involved in the War Games match, but Bobby Fish locked him up and threw away the key. Dunne was agonized as he watched his teammates get beaten up.
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Then, finally, the bolt cutters came out, Pete Dunne was released, and he charged in, delivering a beating to the Undisputed Era. Kendo sticks flew. Garbage cans got sent into the ring. Tables came out. The match was going to get a whole lot more chaotic and everyoen rejoiced when Pete Dunne finally got involved in the contest.
Pete Dunne's charge into the fray was one of the greatest moments in the War Games match. It picked up the pace when the match was badly lagging. Hopefully, we won't have to wait so long for that final, decisive charge when the next War Games match is held.
#9 Pete Dunne and Ricochet standing tall
Pete Dunne wasn't finished after his initial charge. He was crucial for ending the War Games match in his team's favor. To celebrate, he and Ricochet, who both got the pin over Adam Cole, climbed to the top of the War Games cage with their titles held high to make for a great closing visual.
Both men looked at one another with respect and perhaps a little cockiness. I'm sure no one would be against seeing them go at it again in the ring.
#8 Dream goes Hollywood
Velveteen Dream paid homage to Hulk Hogan again last night and it was a joy to watch. He was arguably the most over guy on the entire show.
The repeat leg drops, the taunts, the Hogan style punches, all added to an incredible atmosphere that made for arguably the best NXT Championship match since Johnny Gargano and Andrade "Cien" Almas' classic in Philadelphia in January.
#7 Aleister Black's perfect timing
When the night was said and done, Aleister Black vs. Johnny Gargano emerged as most people's picks for its best match. It's not hard to see why. Both Black and Gargano have had fantastic in-ring years. It was a no brainer that they were going to have an amazing match together, but I didn't expect to see stuff like this!
That jumping knee to counter the suicide dive isn't something I'm going to very easily forget!
#6 Io Shirai's moonsault
From its overbooked mess in and around the ring to its terrible outcome for the NXT women's division, there wasn't a whole lot to like about the women's championship match last night (a rarity when it comes to a TakeOver), but there was one notable thing.
Io Shirai finally made her NXT TV debut, and though her appearance didn't change the outcome and felt like a letdown on the whole, we at least got to see this thing of beauty. The fact that she did it while wearing skinny jeans and dress shoes just made it even more amazing.
#5 Hanson's splash
Guys as big as Hanson shouldn't be able to jump that far, but jump he did, and sent Kyle O'Reilly smashing through a table.
It was one of those moments that you have to see to believe, and one of those moments that defines NXT TakeOver as a brand.
#4 Purple Rainmaker gone wrong
Velveteen Dream came very, very close, but he faltered at the last moment by missing with the Purple Rainmaker in a brutal spot, diving from the turnbuckle to the floor. Afterward, Tommaso Ciampa finished him off to retain his NXT Championship.
Velveteen Dream passed his main event test with flying colors. It's only a matter of time until he wins his first title, and then many more after that.
#3 "I'm the greatest"
"I...am...the greatest sports entertainer of all time," said Tommaso Ciampa, menacingly, after his victory against Velveteen Dream in an incredible match.
There's truly no better heel than Ciampa right now. After cooling off somewhat following the summer, he got all his heat back last night. That way he stared into the camera and uttered that phrase was the perfect way to end the match.
I can't wait to see what he does next.
#2 Double Black Mass
If one Black Mass wasn't enough, why not two?
After uttering some ominous words after the first Black Mass, Aleister Black finished Johnny Gargano off, moving to a perfect 7-0 at NXT TakeOver events and no doubt setting his sights back on the NXT title.
It was a perfect ending to this match and angle. Now, will Johnny Gargano realize the error of his ways?
#1 Ricochet's double moonsault
Because of course it was.
During a War Games match that sometimes dragged, this was such a stunning display. Seeing that come off the top of that cage was incredible and truly one of the feats of the year.
There truly is one and only Ricochet. He is without question WWE's best new arrival this year and we can only anticipate the bright days that lie ahead of him in his career in this company.
