NXT Takeovers have been established as highlights of
wrestling. Going into Takeover: Brooklyn there had been six and all had been of
the highest quality possible. The seventh had a lot of hype to meet because of
this, hype that was only added to by the show emanating from outside of NXT's
home base of Florida's Full Sail University for the first time.
I'm pleased to say that it not only met but exceeded the
hype.
The show kicked off with Triple H stood in the middle of
the ring with a spotlight on him. Thankfully this wasn't a sign of things to
come. 'The Game' was there to hype the crowd up with his star power and cut a
quick promo getting over the brand's chief goal: shining a spotlight on the
stars of the future.
In direct contradiction to this the opener featured
50-year-old Jushin Thunder Liger. Actually, that's a tad unfair. Liger was
there to help the brand name's continued growth as WWE's "indy"
brand. He has credibility with the target audience as a well-travelled,
talented and innovative veteran. He was also there to provide a big name
opponent for Tyler Breeze, who is arguably NXT's greatest success story in
terms of creating a star from scratch.
Tyler Breeze was out first. He again got his runway
entrance, this time the women with him were dressed as the Statue of Liberty, a
taxi cab and other NYC tropes. Not being a regular Liger didn't get a special
entrance. He didn't even get his regular entrance music. Not that it mattered.
The crowd went crazy for him anyway.
Breeze got first blood ;not literally, obviously) with a
knockdown and his relaxing in the corner taunt. Liger took control with
submission holds and shenanigans such as stealing both the corner taunt and the
selfie stick. Breeze floored his foe with a super model kick and began working
over his back.
 |
| Liger v Breeze, a strong opener. |
A "Full sail sucks!" chant broke out as 'The
Gorgeous One' applied a front face lock to Liger. In addition to this they
failed to react to Breeze's screams of "Don't touch me!" to the
referee. It was at this point I realised the Brooklyn crowd was going to be
detrimental to show, even if only in a minor way. Instead of focusing on the
opener, featuring one of NXT's most over acts and a bonafide legend, the fans
focused on getting themselves over and taking shots at Full Sail. In principle
there's nothing wrong with that. The FS fans had done this to them but they'd
chosen an appropriate time to do it. There were more than enough gaps in the
show for the Brooklyn audience to have done the same.
Back in the match Liger hit a rolling kick and
tilt-a-whirl. A top rope splash was countered with knees by Breeze. Liger hit a
running palm strike as Breeze shouted at the ref (set up numerous times earlier
and mostly ignored by the crowd) and followed up with a running senton off the
apron and a Liger bomb for the victory. The match was neither man's best work
but it was still significant for both. For 'Prince Pretty' it was a vote of
confidence from management and the chance to wrestle, and learn from, a legend
(a term I use far less lightly than WWE). For Liger it was the chance to
wrestle his first ever WWE match.
After Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Sean 'The Kid' Waltman
were shown at ringside cameras cut backstage to show us Bayley in a locker
room. She got a hug from Charlotte and a handshake from Becky Lynch. That was
followed by a video to let us know that Nia Jax, one of The Rock's many young
cousins, is on her way to NXT. She's coming in to fill the gap left by the
recently departed Banks, Flair and Lynch.
The Vaudevillains got the special entrance treatment for
their tag title challenge, wearing top hats and longcoats. They'd have fit in
well with fan of steampunk Becky Lynch. The champs got nothing as fancy as hats
but were wearing fancy new red and gold (almost but not quite Iron Man-inspired)
ring gear and looked pretty dapper. And they had Alexa Bliss with them to put
down the challengers before the match, telling them she knew they wouldn't find
anyone to accompany them in Brooklyn. Which naturally set up the introduction
of their second for the match: Blue Pants.
Gotch controlled the opening moments with his strong
gentleman act before English tagged in and got worked over for a bit. BAMF did
a good job of riling the crowd and working slick double teams. A hot tag was
eventually made to Gotch, who did a solid job drawing the crowd into his brief
but fiery comeback. He tagged back out to English who clambered to the top rope
and immediately got crotched. The tag champions set up a double superplex but
Gotch made the save with a double power bomb out if the corner.
 |
They Vaudevillains did it, thanks to
the power of blue pants. |
A Swanton bomb from English got the challengers a
convincing two count. That prompted Bliss to get onto the ring apron. She was
immediately pulled down by Blue Pants and they ended up writhing about on the
floor pulling one another's hair and popping shots. Murphy snuck in and threw
English out before trying a sneaky rollup on Gotch, a callback to the finish of
their last successful defence against the 'villains. This time Gotch kicked out
and the challengers connected with the Whirling Dervish on Murphy to win the
tag straps.
These first two matches showed the NXT system is still
working. It was set up to give less experienced wrestlers the chance to learn
and prepare them for the main roster. The opener gave Breeze time in the ring
with a veteran in front of a massive crowd. This second match gave six
performers the same platform and provided them with the time to have a
competitive match that told a focused, logical story. It was invaluable
experience. It was not the best tag match you'll ever see but that's a
complaint that misses the point. This was about people getting to work an
important match in front of a large crowd and they did an excellent job with
it.
After an entirely pointless shot of Coney Island and a plug
for Takeover's official song (so generic I can't remember what it was called)
we were shown Adrian Neville and Finn Bálor arriving together to be greeted by
Cesaro. Then we were shown a shot of Rick Rubin. Who I've never heard of and
don't care about.
'Perfect 10' Tye Dillinger rolled out to take the most
predictable loss on the show after that. The debuting Apollo Crews got a hearty
response, which is a good sign for his prospects both in NXT and WWE proper. I
missed his old, catchy entrance music from when he was Uhaa Nation though. WWE
will never come up with anything that good. Jim Johnston doesn't have it in
him.
 |
| Future NXT champion? Maybe... |
Dillinger did his ten shtick. Crews did it back, after a
series of fancy back flips, to the delight of the fans. Crews got a flurry of
offence on Dillinger before being surprised by a drop kick (after which
Dillinger patted himself on the back). It wasn't long before Crews fought back
for the finish though. A standing enziguri, a roaring clothesline, a corner
splash and most of what was once known as the Uhaa Combination (it was missing
the standing SSP, which will presumably be saved as a big deal) put Dillinger
down for the three count. The match got over Crews' athleticism and Dillinger's
gimmick, which was the aim.
William Regal then announced the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team
Classic. This is a tournament featuring teams from NXT's "past, present
and future." It strikes me as a clever move. Until recently the presence of
Sasha, Charlotte and Becky has allowed NXT to make women's wrestling a focus.
With their promotions meaning full-time departures are presumably not far
off this tournament will allow tag wrestling
to become a focus, giving others a chance to shine while still giving NXT
something to set it apart from the main roster.
The pre-match promo for Baron Corbin versus Samoa Joe was
excellent, even by WWE's usually high standard. Corbin spoke about being paid
to go to college and play football and not having heard of anyone of the guys
who have come to NXT hyped as big deals for accomplishing things elsewhere. He
said he didn't have to compete around the world to get to NXT, he just put in a
call. Then the video cut to Joe, who said WWE had called him. This bit of
editing perfectly told the story behind the match: Corbin is dominant in NXT
and wants to be considered a bigshot like his more famed peers, like Joe.
The match itself was better than I'd expected. But then I
hadn't expected a great deal. Corbin is good at his twenty second squash wins
on TV but he's shown in longer matches so infrequently that we couldn't be sure what to expect here. He held his own
with Joe well. Clearly he's working lengthier matches at house shows, can be led
well, or has a very good memory for match layouts.
The two were shown to be equals for the most part. They
traded the advantage often and every time one did something the other would do
it moments later. Joe's single leg crab was followed by a heel hook from
Corbin, for example. 'The Wolf Shaman' would eventually be choked out in the
coquina clutch after hitting Joe with a double handed choke bomb. They went
with referee stoppage over a tap out though, so as to preserve some of that
precious Barry Corbin mystique.
More ringside stars were shown. Ric Flair was shown
sitting with Kanna and Sargent Slaughter. Team BAD were sitting by themselves,
there to cheer on storyline-pal Sasha Banks. And I'm sure all of these people
were genuinely spending the entire night in their seats and not hanging out
backstage at all.
Stephanie McMahon came out to her ridiculous music in
full-on happy babyface mode. She was there to announce the official attendance
as 15,589, talk up the "Divas revolution" she's taken storyline
credit for introducing to the main roster, and remind everyone that Banks v
Bayley was to be considered one of two main events. They got a great video
package before their match that told the story of the other three of the
so-called NXT Four Horsewomen progressing to the main roster and seemingly
outgrowing and surpassing Bayley. It also emphasised the importance of winning
the women's championship to Bayley and the matches she'd won to earn her latest
opportunity.
Bayley got her regular entrance featuring the wacky
waving inflatable arm-flailing tube men and was sporting some fresh white and
gold ring gear. 'The Boss' was driven out in a car that looked suspiciously
like the one Bálor and Neville had arrived in earlier in the evening and had a
four strong security team with her. I'm a big fan of special entrances and this
was a particularly good one.
Banks started off laying into Bayley's polka dot wrist
bands (a tribute to Dusty Rhodes). Bayley took her down, gave her a pummelling
and went for a pin. Banks kicked out and threw her into a turnbuckle. Bayley
fired up and put Banks in a tree off woe to give her a springboard elbow drop.
Banks kicked out of the following cover at one and followed up with a flash
rollup and a kick to the stomach. Bayley got an arm drag and Banks tumbled to
the outside, the challenger following to do her baseball slide through the
corner spot.
Back in the ring Banks went for her draping double knee
strike but Bayley dodged it. She would then be kicked off the apron down to the
mats, the champ staying in the ring to mock her by using her own taunts. When
Bayley got back in she was slapped down and worked over by 'The Boss'. The
crowd were split as Banks applied a straightjacket sleeper but Bayley found the
power to fight up to her feet anyway. That didn't work out for her: she tried
backing the champion into a corner but got tossed head first into it herself.
Banks again went for her draping double knees but Bayley
caught her. Again things didn't work out for Bayley, Banks sending Bayley into
the turnbuckle using her legs. Banks softened Bayley up with punches before
putting her on the top rope and hitting her double knee attack there. Bayley
managed to kick out but convincingly sold absolute exhaustion. She dragged
herself to a corner and was given a mouthful by Banks. Bayley's response was to
kick her in the face and, getting a second wind, fire off punches at her. Sasha
cut her off and tossed her out of the ring where she pulled the hand guard off
of Bayley's previously injured right hand. Then she viciously smacked the hand
against the ring steps and stomped it.
The referee told Banks to lay off back in the ring and
then leant out of the ring to check on Bayley. Banks threw out a big spot by
vaulting over the ref and flooring her foe with a tope. Back in the ring she
continued to focus on the challenger's hand. Bayley fired back with left hand
jabs and axe handles smashes.
Bayley hit a suplex into the turnbuckles and went for the
Bayley-to-belly. Banks dropped to her knees to avoid it and took Bayley down
with an armbar before slipping into the Bank Statement. Bayley dragged herself
towards the ropes. Banks reared back and stomped away at Bayley's hand then
rolled back towards the centre of the ring to reapply the hold and trap Bayley.
But Bayley countered, trapping Banks in her own signature hold.
Banks sold the move like a pro (a boss, if you will)
before making the ropes. Bayley got the Bayley-to-belly. Banks kicked out.
Bayley placed a dazed champion on the top rope and went for the move again.
Banks fought off. Bayley came back and tried for a top tope hurricanrana. Banks
stayed put and, in a really awkward-looking moment, Bayley landed head first in
the ring. Presumably she was fine as the match continued with Banks launching
herself from the top rope and smashing Bayley with knees. That got her a two
count.
Banks took Bayley to the top rope. Bayley fought back and
hit a reverse hurricanrana off the second rope, immediately followed by a
Bayley-to-belly for the win and the championship at 18:22.
 |
| The end of Bayley's title chase and quest for validation. |
Bayley got plenty of time to celebrate her win. She waved
the belt about and looked generally pretty happy. Then Charlotte and Becky ran
out to congratulate her and (awkwardly) hoist her up onto their shoulders.
Banks returned to the ring to hug and congratulate the new champion. Becky and
Charlotte joined in and the four did the Horsemen hand sign (woooooo!). It was a
heart-warming little post-match sequence, and lovely to see how much it meant
to the four to be in the ring together on such a big night for the NXT brand. They
deserve to be the focus of the Divas division within a year.
Some general hype and a shot of current WWE champ, and
first ever NXT champ, Seth Rollins followed. More importantly they showed a
recap of Triple H announcing a UK tour for NXT. I'll be looking into tickets.
The hype video for the main event was all about reminding
us that Kevin Owens has been a beast in NXT since he debuted last December.
Finn Bálor's title win was a big part of the video, being marked as a turning
point for the Owens and Bálor characters. It was also made clear Bálor would be
rocking his demon face paint to ensure victory, although the fact that he has
yet to lose in Demon Mode was not touched on.
Owens received the always enjoyable pre-match walking to
gorilla shot before he entered. When he entered the arena he got a thunderous
pop and did some rope-kicking and cursing to psych himself up in the ring.
Bálor did his demon entrance, this time with some extras dressed like him
accompanying him to make it look like he was teleporting around in the smoke.
Owens watched this from a chair at ringside, demonstrating that he was entirely
unfazed by Bálor's "mind games."
The match started with some simple back and forth in the
ring. The crowd got rowdy as Owens took control of the pace but that was
because someone was getting chucked out of the building for something. It was
understandable but still disappointing to see this happening during a main event
which had been so well built up.
Once attention was back on the match a "Ole!"
chant broke out. Owens seized on it and milked it for all it was worth. Truly
Zayn versus Owens (Generico versus Steen, whatever you want to refer to it as)
is the feud that will never die.
The ladder came into play shortly after. Owens used it on
Bálor first, smashing it into his stomach and back before propping the champ up
on it against the ring apron. He then trolled the crowd by getting a run-up from
the aisleway, teasing he was dash into or up the ladder but instead
sidestepping and punching Bálor in the
face. A standard issue main event ringside brawl followed, complete with
barricade and he announce table spots.
The pair returned to the ring and Owens whacked the
champion with a ladder then sentoned onto it. Owens tried a power bomb onto a
ladder placed on its side but Bálor reversed into a back drop. The challenger
recovered and aimed a cannonball at a Bálor slumped against a ladder. The
champion move and Owens hit ladder. Bálor hit his Coup de Grâce combo and ascended
a ladder. Owens caught him by the foot and pulled him off into a power bomb.
Owens tried for an apron bomb. Bálor grabbed the roped
and escaped to the safety of the apron. He managed to nail a punt kick but when
he attempted to follow up with a double stomp Owens moved out of the way and
and hit the apron bomb after all.
 |
| No two time champion here. Move on. |
Back in the ring Owens hit Bálor with two super kicks and
an order to stay down. He then spent some time setting up a ladder under the
title belt and positioning another between the first and the turnbuckle,
providing a low platform. He then grabbed Bálor and tried for a fishermanbuster.
Bálor fought back and, after a tense few seconds trading the advantage back and
forth, sent Owens sailing back onto the ladder. The ladder Bálor was standing
on was by this point a little off centre so Owens, pro that he is, recovered
enough to claw at Bálor's feet, got himself kicked away and set up to receive
the Coup de Grâce. That gave Bálor the excuse he needed to leave the ladder
before repositioning it, climbing up, and grabbing his belt to retain in a very
good main event.
This match had a distinctly different feel to the
majority of WWE produced ladder matches. The ladder seemed to be in play a lot
less but when it was used it was used in a meaningful way. It made the gimmick
more, which was clearly the intention. I imagine it didn't hurt that it didn't
feel like a standard ladder match too as that contributed to NXT's unique feel.
This was a top notch show. It didn't quite beat out
either of the two Takeover cards from earlier in the year but that was a high
standard and certainly didn't make this bad or an affront to the Takeover
series. The main event was excellent and provided a great cap to the show while
everything on the undercard did everything it needed to. Match of the night
honours go to the women's title match. It was the best pure wrestling match on
the show and told a self-contained story while paying off years of backstory in
the Four Horsewomen's ascent and Bayley's desire to reach the top of the
division. Basically, go and watch this show.
***
Results summary:
Jushin Liger defeated Tyler Breeze
The Vaudevillains defeated The BAMF to win the NXT tag
team championship
Apollo Crews defeated Tye Dillinger
Samoa Joe defeated Baron Corbin via referee stoppage
Bayley defeated Sasha Banks to win the NXT women's
championship
Finn Bálor defeated Kevin Owens to retain the NXT
championship
