Once again, the main roster have a tough task on their hands as they attempt to outdo another spectacular NXT Takeover. Tearing the house down in Toronto, NXT once again proved why they continue to be the hottest PPV product in WWE.
With fans already questioning whether Survivor Series will deliver or not, the main roster’s task just got a whole lot harder.
From start to finish, NXT presented a wonderful show. Bobby Roode and Tye Dillinger delivered a fantastic opening match that had the crowd going wild. DIY and the Revival wrestled another Match of the Year candidate, and arguably the best tag team bout of the year.
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Samoa Joe shocked the world when he recaptured the NXT Championship in a hard-hitting bout with Shinsuke Nakamura.
These matches, combined, produced another incredible NXT Takeover, but which matches outdid the others? Let’s find out, as I Analyse and Grade Each Match from NXT Takeover Toronto.
#1 Bobby Roode vs Tye Dillinger:
Grade: 8.5/10
It was a very smart decision to have this match open the show, with both men being Canadian natives, as well as their bout being one of the most anticipated ones for the night. Once again, WWE produced a glorious (pun intended) entrance for Bobby Roode, as a choir serenaded his theme song on his way to the ring.
These extravagant entrances further showcase Roode as a top star in NXT, and they should be continued for Takeovers in future. The crowd were firmly behind Dillinger here, and that created an awesome atmosphere as the Toronto fans went wild for this opening matchup.
Given the immense talent of these two men, they delivered a back and forth, fast-paced affair that served as a splendid opener. The near falls towards the end of the bout were incredible, and had fans on the edge of their seats as Dillinger almost got the upset win.
This was Roode’s time however, and he picked up the victory that will hopefully see him ascend towards the NXT Championship scene soon. However, Dillinger looked incredible in defeat, earning a standing ovation from the crowd after the match.
Hopefully, WWE can capitalise on his popularity with a Sami Zayn-esque push to the top of NXT.
Overall, these two showcased why they deserve to be on top of the NXT roster sooner rather than later, as they delivered a fantastic opener that had the Toronto fans hot from the get-go.
#2 The Authors of Pain vs TM61 (Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Final):
Grade: 7/10
This was arguably the weakest match of the night, but it had extremely tough competition in the four other incredible matches. Only going for eight minutes, the crowd wasn’t very hot as both teams are still in the process of getting over with fans. The match thus ended up being the only disappointing aspect on the card.
The cage suspended above the ring distracted from the action partially, but it was a nice addition to an otherwise short match. TM61 looked great even after losing, with Shane Thorne hitting an incredible dive from the structure used to hold the cage.
The chain spot before the finish felt botched but was a nice touch nonetheless to protect TM61 slightly. The Authors of Pain were a fitting winner for the tournament, as they appear to be the next contenders for the tag titles.
They have the potential to be an extremely dominant force in the tag division, and this win only increased that potential. Overall, a decent match that saw the Authors of Pain emerge as a very dominant duo in the tag division, as they emerged victorious in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
DIY vs the Revival (NXT Tag Team Championships):
Grade: 10/10
Although it may be a bit much to give this a 10/10 grade, this was easily the best tag team match of 2016 as well as a match of the year contender in itself.
DIY’s journey to the tag titles finally culminated in a classic 2 out of 3 falls match that saw them overcome everything the Revival had to throw at them, as the two teams outdid their already outstanding effort at Takeover Brooklyn II.
From Gargano and Ciampa’s heart to the Revival’s awesome heel work to the heart-wrenching near falls, this had everything needed for a classic tag title match. The Toronto fans were ridiculously hot for DIY and this match overall, and the sheer noise they made throughout the match was spectacular.
The build towards both of DIY’s pinfalls was splendid, with a number of false finishes and referee spots building towards a wonderful climax. The finish was awesome as well, with a double submission leading to the third fall and victory for DIY.
The crowd popped huge as Gargano and Ciampa emotionally celebrated an incredible win. Overall, a sensational match that put the main roster’s tag matches to shame, as NXT’s tag teams once again tore the house down at a Takeover event. A 10/10 tag team match, and one of the match of the year contenders for 2016.
Asuka vs Mickie James (NXT Women’s Championship):
Grade: 8/10
Although having to follow-up the incredible tag team title match was a tough task, Asuka and a returning Mickie James were up for it. Mickie James was greeted with a big ovation from the Toronto crowd, and once the match started it was clear that she was still in great shape.
Matching Asuka’s in-ring ability and often outdoing the ‘Empress of Tomorrow’, James showed that she, indeed, has ‘still got it’. Even though an upset win by James was close, fans knew Asuka would retain, which took some of the charm away from this bout.
Still, James and Asuka put on a stellar women’s match, and for the first time in NXT, Asuka appeared beatable, which will serve well for her next challenger. Unfortunately, the finish was weak. James tapped out almost immediately from the Asuka lock, and the crowd weren’t expecting it, as it was extremely abrupt.
However, despite the weak ending, the post-match disrespect from Asuka to James by raising her championship rather than shaking James’ hand was a nice touch, and could be hinting at a heel turn in the near future.
Overall, a solid women’s match that gave James another chance to shine in WWE, while keeping Asuka as the champion moving forward.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs Samoa Joe (NXT Championship):
Grade: 9/10
A hard-hitting brutal affair, Nakamura and Joe outshone their previous match at Brooklyn II, with an intense build coinciding with the match’s slugfest style. This was the perfect way to close the show, as the two superstars brawled with incredibly stiff knees, chops and punches.
Although not the show-stealer that DIY vs the Revival was, Nakamura vs Joe was everything the rematch needed to be between these two, and another Takeover match will be a pleasure to watch as it is bound to happen.
Although some may dislike the finish, Joe picking up the shock win with a low blow and then a Muscle Buster was an emphatic way to close an already incredible show, and nobody saw it coming. Considering how great this feud has been so far, another Takeover match between these two will be highly anticipated by fans.
Even though it’s a shame to not see him on the main roster yet, Joe becoming the first two-time NXT champion makes up for it. With everyone seemingly certain that Samoa Joe would lose and move up to the main roster, this was the perfect way to shock fans as the show came to a close.
Overall, a hard-hitting, stellar match that was aided by a wonderful shock finish, as we are set to see Nakamura vs Joe III at the next Takeover.
Overall Grade for NXT Takeover Toronto: 9/10
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