NXT TakeOver: Phoenix

[Bomberboyokay]

11AM AEDT SUNDAY JANUARY 27TH

NXT Championship
Tommaso Ciampa (c) vs Aleister Black

NXT North American Championship
Ricochet (c) vs Johnny Gargano

NXT Tag Team Championship
Kyle O'Reilly (c) and Roderick Strong (c) vs War Raiders (Hanson and Rowe)

NXT Women's Championship
Shayna Baszler (c) vs Bianca Belair

Kassius Ohno vs Matt Riddle

 

[DaveyBoy123]

Just like this time last year (& arguably before every other TakeOver for the past 15-18 months): "Hmmm, this could be one of the more average TakeOver events for a while"

Meanwhile, a few hours later after the show: "That may have been the Card of the Year"

=====

- I think most will be looking forward to the NA Title match the most. And if it's given time (which it should be), it will be awesome. I can see the story being Gargano desperately trying to keep Rick O'Shea grounded and succeeding for the first 10 minutes or so... Rick then finally begins to fly... 2.9 counts ensue for both... JG somehow wins by nefarious means.

- Something has to happen in the Riddle vs KO feud. Anything.

- Bianca B(e)lair impresses before falling short. This match could actually be really good as long as BB doesn't get stagefright.

- I can see the tag title match being the sleeper of the night. Not much expectations, but they'll book it perfectly. And I'm 50-50 on the result, so they can really push the near-falls.

- TC vs AB should also be booked well and I can see it being very hard-hitting with a good story being built up.

 

[Loonerty]

Very keen for this.

Gargano vs Ricochet and Ciampa vs Black should both be fantastic.

Would like to see Ohno and Riddle get a decent 10-12 minutes.

 

[DaveyBoy123]

Bump...

Pre-show starts at 10am AEDT (ie: now). It's on YouTube for those without the Network.

 

[Selim]

this gonna be a good one

 

[eDPS]

I am ever so ready

 

[Bomberboyokay]

Think they win with that entrance.

 

[Bomberboyokay]

Think they win with that entrance.

Winner winner chicken dinner

 

[eDPS]

Odd finish

 

[Bomberboyokay]

It wasn't bad but that's the least good singles (mens) match TakeOver has had in a while

 

[eDPS]

Ricochet will be huge when he gets the call up, future Intercontinental champion at the very least

 

[Bomberboyokay]

Haha exposed floor is a TakeOver staple

 

[eDPS]

That match lived up to expectations and then some

 

[eDPS]

What an image

 

[Bomberboyokay]

Least good TakeOver since 2017. Crowd didn't help. No big city or WrestleMania weekend smarks. Phoenix seems like America's Perth.

 

[Bomberboyokay]

 

[Cleavy]

What an image

and the subtle glance across by Gargano as Ciampa is hugging his title...

if they're gonna to hold the Dusty Classic in the gap before WM, they have to team them up. But it feels like the potential tag team challengers are a bit lacking.

 

[GWBogan]

What an image

NXTwo-Man Power Trip?

 

[Cleavy]

might be the main roster's best chance to match a Takeover tomorrow (not saying Takeover wasn't a great show). Rumble matches are usually fun, Bryan/AJ should be great etc.

 

[DaveyBoy123]

Ricochet will be huge when he gets the call up, future Intercontinental champion at the very least

… and/or when he wins the NXT Title.

 

[DaveyBoy123]

I think they (& I mean the WWE in general, so even when he gets to the main roster) really have to make Aleister Black's character lean to heel or face more somehow. His crowd reactions are just a little too neither here nor there. Gargano has played the (for want of a better term) tweener role much better. The main event was solid today, but the almost confused crowd reactions/feelings towards Black hurt the bout imo.

 

[Selim]

yea gotta agree wasnt the best takeover we have like it was still good but yea wonder who from nxt will be in the rumble tomoz


also idk why but it was weird seeing someone with coloured laces but i really liked Ciampas design tonight the coloured laces really did it for me lol

 

[Freo Big Fella]

Agree with people's thoughts on Black - I think Dream is a much better long-term pairing for Ciampa at the moment.

Ricochet/Gargano and Tag Titles the best of the night otherwise IMO. Surprised at some of the negative press Belair seems to be getting as well - thought she was pretty serviceable.

 

[Cleavy]

I think the negative Belair press came from the pre-show, where Sam Roberts said she didn't deserve to be on Takeover. I thought the match was fine.

 

[Cleavy]

Takeover reigns supreme once again