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So as a regular WWE Network subscriber since June, I figured why not check out NXT Takeover. I have to be honest here... Since acquiring WWE Network, I've barely watched the NXT show. I've been mostly devouring the documentaries such as the many DVD releases that I never bought (World Class, AWA, Curt Hennig, etc.), Monday Night Wars, the Legends roundtables, etc. I haven't given NXT the time of the day but it's mostly because I don't have the time of the day... But, I sort of want the element of surprise for the WWE. During the early 2000's, I was offered tapes on Ohio Valley Wrestling as I heard that Jim Cornette and Danny Davis's promotion was "off the charts" with stuff featuring Randy Orton, Shelton Benjamin, and Brock Lesnar. I turned down the offer as I wanted the element of surprise in the WWE when these guys actually debuted. When Brock Lesnar made his WWE debut during March 2002, I was completely shocked. Before I had the WWE Network, I could let Kevin Owens surprise me with the way he worked with John Cena. In other words, I could argue that watching the WWE's Minor League system could spoil things... Why? Because the bookers are different in the developmental as opposed to Vince McMahon ruling everything in the WWE. I don't want to get my expectations up on a particular wrestler. So yeah, NXT Takeover is my first FULL NXT show that I've watched. I've seen matches here and there, but a full show? Nope... Many wrestlers on this show were getting viewed by me for the first time... First of all, SMART decision to have this show in rabid New York City (or Brooklyn, same thing). By far, New York City area fans are the best. Period. They are the most loyal and passionate. Thus, for a WWE Network only show, New York fans will pack the Barclays Center. Amazing crowd throughout. Props to the fan who held up the "DOC LOP" sign... Triple H started the show and he was a much different character than what you see in WWE. He was introducing the NXT show much like Vince McMahon used to introduce his big Wrestlemania shows. You could see the pride in HHH's face... NXT's growth as a program and now as a Pay Per View (or "special event") generator is his success. We wisely put wrestling minds in charge of the booking and operations in Florida and he recognizes that fans are hungry for an actual WRESTLING show. Stephanie McMahon would later come out and praise the NXT Divas that they promoted to the main WWE roster. Again, different character... I believe that HHH wants to make damn sure he gets credit for tonight's NXT show and stick it to his rival, Executive Producer Kevin Dunn, who has been belittling the NXT brand to Vince recently. LOVED the atmosphere... No need for a Titan Tron or other special effects. Ring, fans, and wrestlers... All you need. The announcing crew was quite awesome tonight and were fully pumped to be calling this show tonight. Tyler Breeze vs. Jushin "Thunder" Liger opened the show. I LOVE me some Liger as he was one of the bright spots of the early to mid 1990's World Championship Wrestling shows. Amazing matches with the late Brian Pillman. I never saw Tyler Breeze before... I must say, he's pretty good. He already has the ready-for-WWE gimmick with the narcissist gimmick and I like the modern touch of using a selfie stick instead of a mirror. Good character. Match was pretty good... It is very difficult to work with Jushin Liger unless you are used to the Japanese style. Furthermore, Liger is quite old now... Those WCW matches I spoke of were 20 years ago (!!!). Some nice moves hit by Breeze although he didn't get the win. WWE has to take care of Liger just to get some worldwide respect for NXT. *** Up next, I was happy to see a Tag Team match where the teams had matching tights... Blake/Murphy vs. Vaudevillians... That one manager on the outside kept reminding me of Sunny during the Body Donnas era based on the way she was dressed. OK tag match... Nothing special, but the teams worked the tag team formula well and had decent chemistry. At the very least, I was happy to see set tag teams in place. Crowd was very happy to see Blue Pants come out before the match as I have no idea why. But she was hot... **1/2 Didn't think too much of Apollo Crews vs. Tye Dillinger... Didn't feel much heat from this match as opposed to the rest of the show. Crews looks like one heck of an athlete, though, and we'll see how he materializes. *1/2 Samoa Joe beat Baron Corbin in the next match. I enjoyed it... I thought Corbin had a little extra kick in his step knowing that wrestling Joe was a big deal. You could just see that Corbin was quite motivated... As for Joe, I just wish WWE would have grabbed him during the mid to late 2000's. He could have been a HUGE superstar for them. Now, he's a bit thicker and slower... However, he can still wrestle. Joe worked well with Corbin and that was a good loss by Corbin to hang his hat on... He has good size and could be decent with more repetitions with big name wrestlers in the ring. ***1/2 Pretty awesome to see some really big names at ringside... Rick Rubin is THE MAN when it comes to music production. Look it up for yourself to see who this guy produced. Amazing career. Ric Flair and Sgt. Slaughter were there ringside as well along with various other current WWE superstars. That Bayley vs. Sasha Banks match... Holy smokes. That match is in my Top 5 for 2015. Seriously. That was an amazing match! What made the match better was the video vignettes of Bayley's rise to the NXT Divas Title. Remember, I'm not a regular NXT viewer. This is the first time that I've seen Bayley... Showing her upset at Charlotte, Becky, and Sasha getting the WWE promotions and then having a storyline where she beats WWE wrestler Emma and then Charlotte/Becky to build herself up as #1 contender to the NXT Title was impressive. See, main WWE roster, that's how you build up wrestlers... Tada! It's not hard... By that video package (which Kevin Dunn may have produced), you are instantly cheering for Bayley. Damn that was great wrestling! Sasha is so smooth and charismatic but Bayley can flat out go. That end sequence was CRAZY and if Bayley botches that top rope move, it's a broken neck. Love that belly to belly finish! Call me crazy, but I'm going ***** on that puppy. Everybody has called for WWE to recreate the Cruiserweight Division or spend more time on the Tag Teams... But damn, Triple H has figured out how to market the Divas and found the right ladies to take care of it. Loved the 4 Horsewomen salute after the match... That was a highly emotional moment. It's all about the build up and what I'm noticing from NXT is that their storylines allow for extensive rivalries between the wrestlers to, you know, build actual heat with time. WWE's main roster LACKS rivalries and just moves from monthly Pay Per View to monthly Pay Per View. Bayley vs. Sasha was so mindblowing to me... I shall watch that battle again to legitimately consider it as a "Match of the Year" candidate. On top of ALL of that, we still have a freakin' Ladder Match... Finn Balor vs. Kevin Owens ended the show. While Kevin Dunn might be critical of Kevin Owens's look, but I'm going to get critical of Fin Balor. Take that damn paint off... It didn't work well for Jeff Hardy when he was covered head to toe in it and it just removes seriousness from Balor as a wrestler. That long entrance... Ugh. Why can't his in-ring ability be what sells him as a wrestler instead of theatrics and television production? So good spots, as the Ladder Match has been lacking innovations as of late... I loved that Powerbomb that Owens hit on Balor off the ladder. Owens has one of the best powerbombs ever... Match was fast paced but again, nothing new or innovative. I thought it was a damn good win for Balor and his jumping stomp finisher has to hurt a little bit, especially off a ladder. ***1/2 LAST WORD: Wow, that was a great WRESTLING show. Triple H is really outdoing himself with this developmental territory and may be on his way to be creating an equal brand to the WWE. If I get to see more NXT shows like this, then USA Networks should seriously consider putting NXT in Smackdown's place. The internal struggle between Kevin Dunn and Triple H is benefiting wrestling fans greatly because HHH is pouring his motivations into making NXT great. However - I'm actually more impressed with what Triple H has done with the Divas Division. There is some REAL talent from female wrestlers right now in the WWE and NXT. Even when we had Trish and Lita, they NEVER worked matches like that. A for the show grade! Yep, the $9.99 for the WWE Network is well worth and I'm a happy customer tonight. Oh, I have WWE SummerSlam 2015 on tomorrow night as well? Well, OK, I guess I have to watch that too... SO JUST CHILL... 'TIL THE NEXT EPISODE! Comments and feedback are welcome. Follow and Tweet me @titowrestling or login in below to post comments. © Mr. Tito and LordsofPain.net/WrestlingHeadlines.com - 1998-2015
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