Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Tyler Breeze
What Happened? Wrestling for the first time in a WWE-owned ring, Japanese legend Jushin Thunder Liger made sure that his debut was a happy one as he dispatched a game Tyler Breeze after a highly competitive, fast paced opening bout. Fully aware and prepared for Liger’s unique brand of high-flying offense, Breeze found early success with a number of excellently executed counters. Unfortunately however the young American’s inexperience was to be his ultimate undoing as the veteran eventually took over the contest after a stiff forearm smash, followed by his patented ‘Liger Bomb’ for the pinfall.
Winner: Jushin Thunder Liger
Thoughts: NXT’s habit of kicking off with a hot match continues. A fast-paced opener, highly complementary of Liger’s style and, now as a performer in his fifties, limitations. Despite suffering another high-profile defeat Breeze once again looked fantastic and the loss to a legend of Liger’s calibre won’t hurt him in the long run, quite the opposite actually. If this is to be Liger’s one and only match with the WWE, it was definitely a worthy effort.
★★★☆☆
NXT Tag Team Championship
Blake and Murphy © vs. The Vaudevillains
What Happened? Unexpected assistance from the popular ‘Blue Pants’ proved key as The Vaudevillains finally overcame Blake and Murphy to become the new tag team champions. No longer concerned with the former champion’s valet, Alexa Bliss, Simon Gotch and Aiden English made sure their second crack at the gold was successful. With Bliss removed from the equation thanks to interference from their new ally, the duo combined to deliver the the Whirling Dervish to Murphy for the deserved victory.
Winner and NEW champions: The Vaudevillains
Thoughts: While I’m personally not totally sold on the new champions, it’s not too difficult to see why the powers that be have given them a run with the gold. Both teams have developed excellent chemistry and the inclusion of Bliss and Blue Pants could see the feud continue into the future. A pretty standard tag affair that improved considerably as the action reached its conclusion.
★★★☆☆
Apollo Crews vs. Tye Dillinger
What Happened? Making his long-awaited NXT debut, Apollo Creed walked into Brooklyn with a lot of hype, and left a genuine contender after handedly dispatching Tye Dillinger. Demonstrating his incredible acrobatic skills despite his larger frame, Crews overcame his ‘Perfect 10’ opponent after a tough start with a standing enzuigiri, followed soon after by an exquisite standing moonsault for the win.
Winner: Apollo Crews
Thoughts: Brief and showing us just enough to get us excited about NXT’s newest prospect, this match did exactly what it needed to. Slightly surprising to see Dillinger playing sacrificial lamb, especially considering his new gimmick and push, but perhaps this is an early indication of a potential fast track to the main event scene for Crews.
★★★☆☆
Baron Corbin vs. Samoa Joe
What Happened? After almost a year of dominance, Baron Corbin finally met his match in the form of independent icon Samoa Joe. Trading power moves, heavy blows and their vast array of submission holds, Corbin took the fight to his veteran opponent, but soon found himself ensnared in Joe’s devastating ‘Coquina Clutch’. Refusing to give in despite the gravity of the hold, Corbin eventually sunk into unconsciousness, leaving the referee with little choice but the halt the match in favor of ‘The Samoan Submission Machine’.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Thoughts: Instantly dismissed due to its pace, this heavyweight clash is easily the most underrated match in recent NXT history. Wisely utilising the submission skills of Joe and the legitimate jiu-jitsu champion Corbin, the match featured some excellent grappling exchanges that helped show a new side to the younger superstar. The finish left Corbin remaining strong thanks to his refusal to tap. At least another match between the two seems highly likely, and that’s definitely a good thing despite what you’ve been told.
★★★☆☆
NXT Women’s Championship
Sasha Banks © vs. Bayley
What Happened? Left behind in NXT after the recent main roster promotion of her friends/rivals Charlotte, Becky Lynch, and Sasha Banks, Bayley more than made up for the heartbreaking omission by capturing Banks’ coveted NXT women’s championship. Persistence and heart were key to Bayley’s success as she fulfilled her lifelong dream, but she had to endure a severe amount of punishment from the former champion who targeted her previously broken left hand for much of their battle. Surviving a brutal ‘Banks Statement’ submission attempt, Bayley would suffer a nasty spike after she fell awkwardly from the top rope, but recovered just in time to connect with a second ‘Bayley-to-back’ suplex to secure the title.
Winner and NEW champion: Bayley
Thoughts: Without a doubt the best divas match of the year. A near twenty minute demonstration of what the women of the WWE can do if afforded the right time and tools. Sasha Banks is the undisputed best female wrestler on the planet right now, and her job to Bayley put the new champion over perfectly. A nasty looking fall from the top rope looked to derail the match, but thankfully Bayley was able to recover to finish the match strong. Dramatic, emotional and beautifully enhanced thanks to the receptive New York crowd, this is just another in a long line of must-see NXT divas matches. An unbelievable effort from both.
★★★★☆
Ladder match for the NXT Championship
Finn Bálor © vs. Kevin Owens
What Happened? Weathering a torrent of furious offense from the desperate former champion, Finn Bálor bounced back to keep his NXT title reign alive. Accepting the challenger’s ladder match request looked to be a poor decision for the champion initially as Owens swarmed with a relentless wave of strikes and slams. The former champion looked set to capture the belt for a second time after successfully connecting with another devastating powerbomb to the ring apron, but ‘The Beast’ recovered just in time to thwart his rival. A stunning ‘Coup de Grâce’ from the top of the ladder completed Bálor’s comeback, rendering Owens unable to continue as the Irishman successfully retrieved his title.
Winner and STILL champion: Finn Bálor
Thoughts: It couldn’t have been easy to follow such an excellent match, but Owens and Bálor are as gifted as they are professional. A fairly stripped down affair, relying more on drama and emotional aspects rather than a heap of spots that we’ve now become so accustomed to from the match type. First, the two superstars proved they could produce an excellent technical battle, and now they’ve demonstrated an ability to perform in one of the WWE’s favorite gimmick matches. With Bálor easily surviving the worst of Owens’ offense, the Irishman looks set to rule the roost for the foreseeable future.
★★★★☆
Overall: The latest triumph in the division’s short history, NXT has now firmly established itself as a viable property with an event that could only be rivaled by its industry-leading parent. Expect more events to take place away from Full Sail University going forward as a direct result. The in-ring action itself was solid, if rather unspectacular right up until the show-defining final two matches. With many of the ‘golden’ crop of superstars destined to leave NXT in the coming months, let’s hope that the division can maintain its form despite the lack of known faces.
Moment of the Event: Bálor’s Coup de Grâce from the top of the ladder.
Event MVP: Bayley
Show Rating: ★★★☆☆
What did you think of NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn? Leave your comments below!
