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NXT TakeOver: New York is now history and what a show it was. Far exceeding even the most unrealistic expectations, the show featured three "match of the year" candidates, two title changes, an NXT debut, and so much more.
From Johnny Gargano's heroic victory over Adam Cole to Ricochet and Aleister Black's last hurrah to some of the most epic entrances in NXT history, NXT TakeOver: New York had all the makings of a true instant classic, but in a show filled with standout moments which ones stood out the most?
We take on the difficult task of picking the most memorable moments from tonight's epic NXT TakeOver in Top 5 Can't-Miss Moments From NXT TakeOver: New York.
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#5. WrestleMania Quality Entrances
Tonight's NXT TakeOver show didn't only feature some of the best matches ever seen on a WWE pay-per-view. That certainly would have been enough to appease even the most ardent wrestling fans, but NXT also stepped it up a notch to feature some extremely theatrical WrestleMania quality entrances.
First, there were War Raiders who made a Triple H-esque entrance for their match against Ricochet and Aleister Black. The two behemoths were led to the ring by a pack of gladiators holding shields that doubled as bass drums. Flames shot up into the air in a theatrical spectacle on par with a King Kong Universal Studios Skull Island set. Like demons unearthed from a foggy abyss, War Raiders crawled out of the mist to be led to the ring by the rhythmic sounds of war drums.
Not to be outdone, both Aleister Black and Ricochet also had special entrances. Ricochet came out to an impressive laser light show while Black kept his traditional gothic theme with a macabre inspired candle lit backdrop to add.
Velveteen Dream's entrance was also nothing short of spectacular, as he came dressed to the nines for his match against former MMA star Matt Riddle. The NXT North American Champion came in full Statue of Liberty cosplay complete with a make shift Lady Liberty crown.
#4. Kushida
There were several high profile appearances at tonight's NXT TakeOver: New York show. NXT UK Women's Champion Toni Storm appeared alongside new NXT UK signee and former Mae Young Classic competitor Piper Niven. Both women enjoyed the ear-piercing reaction they received from the WWE Universe in attendance.
Real life married couple and WWE Hall of Famers Edge and Beth Phoenix also appeared ahead of Phoenix' Women's Tag Team Championship opportunity Sunday at WrestleMania. The NXT faithful in attendance even started an "Edge" chant that the Rated R Superstar (and doting husband) tried to change into a "Beth" chant. While Edge and Phoenix received a warm welcome from the New York crowd the most notable NXT TakeOver: New York appearance was none other than WWE's newest signee Kushida.
WWE announced the signing of the former New Japan Pro-Wrestling Champion earlier today to a massive amount of fanfare. The company has high hopes for Kushida, especially as a staple in the NXT brand. Triple H referred to the former NJPW star as, "one of the biggest international stars in the world." Judging by the positive reaction given by the crowd at NXT TakeOver: New York, the WWE Universe is in complete agreement.
#3. War Raiders vs Ricochet & Aleister Black
The chants "Fight forever" and "This is awesome" are overdone cliches in the world of professional wrestling. They can too often be heard in a pedestrian run of the mill bouts and are frequently the result of groupthink, rather than a genuine reaction to the truly spectacular.
Both chants broke out during tonight's War Raiders vs Richochet & Aleister Black. Only this time things were much different. NXT TakeOvers have become synonymous with classic bouts, especially phenomenal opening tag team bouts, but this one truly stood apart from the others and fully deserved the "Fight forever" and "This is awesome" chants that broke out during the match.
The match featured superhuman like feats of wonder and awe. In jaw-dropping fashion, the 188-pound Ricochet picked up the 305-pound Hanson over his head, held him there for at least 8 seconds and then proceeded to throw him behind his head.
The gargantuan Hanson wowed with flips, a glorious handspun to a back elbow, suicide dives and even moonsaults. The 300-pounder moved with the fluidity and flexibility of a cruiserweight and showed agility never before seen by a man of that size. Hanson would later perform a top rope cannonball outside the ring in one of the most dangerous and beautifully executed high-risk manoeuvres of all time.
At the match's conclusion, the four men were given a standing ovation. War Raiders bowed to their defeated opponents, who are moving on to bigger and better things via WWE's main roster. Two NXT legends, Ricochet and Aleister Black, said their final farewell and very likely had their best ever match in the process. As the two men made their exit, the New York crowd chanted, "You deserve it." This time it wasn't a cliche. They were right.
#2. Pete Dunne's Historic Reign Comes To An End
Pete Dunne was only 23 years old and already a UK legend when he arrived in the WWE in January 2017. Dunne was announced as a participant in the tournament to crown the inaugural NXT UK Champion. He performed exceptionally well and made it all the way to the finals only to come up just short against eventual winner Tyler Bate. The match was an instant classic.
If given the opportunity, Dunne vowed that he wouldn't come up short again. He earned another opportunity to face Bate in May of that year. The two wrestled in another classic. Only this time the outcome was different and Dunne walked away as NXT UK Champion. The Bruiserweight did not look back for nearly two years.
Dunne would vanquish all challengers in his historic 685-day reign as champion. Those 685 days put Dunne in rare air and mentioned in the same breath as legendary WWE names like Hulk Hogan and Bruno Sammartino.
All good things; however, must come to an end and the beginning of the end for Dunne's historic championship reign came with the debut of WALTER at January's NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool show. A bout between the two UK legends was imminent and it all came to fruition at tonight's NXT Takeover: New York.
Dunne gave WALTER all he could handle nearly severing his much larger opponent's fingers from his hands, but WALTER was equally brutal, aggressive, and used his superior size and strength to score a stunning pinfall over Dunne, ending his reign at 685 days. What does it feel like to hold the title that long only to lose it at the biggest NXT show of the year? The picture below is worth a thousand words.
#1. The Johnny Gargano Era Begins
Johnny Gargano was always one of the best workers in the business. If you listened to his fans, they would attest, "Nobody could sell like Gargano. No one has more heart. No one makes you believe more." The former indie star wrestled in some of NXT's greatest matches and has been a staple of NXT TakeOver since his debut in 2015.
There has been one enormous downside to Gargano, however. He hasn't always been associated with winning the big one and has often come up short in the most crucial moments. His detractors would say, "He takes too many risks. He will never be a world champion." The NXT Championship always eluded Gargano, often slipping right through his fingertips. He always came close, but could never quite finish.
As tonight's match against Adam Cole developed, it looked like a typical Gargano match. Cole gave Gargano all that he could take but simply could not put Johnny Wrestling away. Savvy wrestling fans knew that Gargano's demise was imminent, that he would take one too many risks, and that Cole would eventually capitalize for the victory. In typical Gargano fashion, he would take a gruesome beating and then, as always, come up just short while making his opponent look like a million bucks in the process. That's just what Johnny Gargano always does, but not this time.
After each competitor scored a fall, Adam Cole's Undisputed Era stablemates made their way to the ring distracting the official and attacking Gargano. Despite the obvious advantage, Cole still couldn't put Gargano away and the small man with the big heart pulled something beastly from the depths of his soul. This time it was Cole who would come up just short, who would submit and have his dreams shattered. This time Gargano would leave as the NEW NXT Champion.
Gargano overcoming insurmountable odds is the story of his career. He overcame a plethora of superkicks, a bloody gash to his forehead, a brutal table spot, and a 4 on 1 advantage on his way to becoming NXT Champion. He overcame doubters, detractors, and unbelievers because that's what Johnny Gargano does.
As the match came to its inevitable conclusion, Gargano embraced his father, his mother, and his wife, fellow NXT Superstar Candice LeRae. Then his best friend and arch nemesis Tommaso Ciampa made his way to the entrance ramp. This time Ciampa didn't attack Gargano. Ciampa lovingly wrapped his arms around the man he has come to respect and admire. In the embrace of his closest friends and family, things had come full circle for the man known as Johnny Wrestling, who just told the greatest story of his pro wrestling career.
