I’m married to a lovely woman who is obsessed with the Olympics, so I watched this show in my underwear at 3AM with family coming over at 10AM for breakfast. Don’t ever tell me I don’t sacrifice for this business.
I love the atmosphere of TakeOver shows, especially when in a big arena. Always feels extra special.
I need to know Vince McMahon’s thoughts on Mauro Ranallo.
The “keep on sucking” tagline for Jolly Rancher is really god damned unfortunate.
1. No Way Jose vs. Austin Aries
The POP for No Way Jose followed by the conga line is how every wrestling show should start. Jose vs. Austin Aries was an impressive match, and really was Aries’ best performance since coming to WWE – bumping around big for Jose’s offense, working the neck to set up the Last Chancery, and reacting like an all-star to the post-match stuff with Itami. Jose held his own too… he obviously has great charisma but his strikes and selling stood out too. This was a really solid match brought to another level by the game Brooklyn crowd reacting big to everything, even if them turning on Jose pissed me off. Itami vs. Aries is going to be hot, feel like those two will complement each other really well. ***
2. Ember Moon (debut) vs. Billie Kay
Ember Moon vs. Billie Kay was a fine debut for Ember… her being a pretty lady who can do springboard stuff and fly around is going to be massive. The match though relied a lot on Billie Kay in control, which got a little clunky. Did like a few of her Tall Girl spots though. Probably would’ve preferred Moon just running through Billie, but I also watched this show in my underwear so my decisions are ever-questionable. **
3. Bobby Roode (debut) vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas
Bobby Roode being one of the most over guys in the company is something. I feel like they called an audible here, as Roode was hugely over and Almas as a good guy just isn’t working. So you got a lot of Almas offense and Roode comebacks, which was probably for the best. Almas looked really great – all the smooth flying and ‘reaction’ spots were amazing. But this man is a HEEL. They might want him to be a heavyweight, but Almas as top cruiserweight heel would be incredible. Match was okay but was really more about the crowd marking out for ‘GLORIOUS!’ more than anything. **1/2
4. NXT Tag Team Title: The Revival [c] vs. Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa
I just realized with this show that there’s two M’s in Tommaso and not two S’s. Anyways. Revival vs. Ciampa/Gargano was incredible. Best match of the show and definite MOTYC, if you’re into that kind of thing. The Revival’s commitment to being the best tag guys in the world really makes them the best tag guys in the world – coaching each other from the apron, desperately pulling guys’ arms for control, secret tags. Everything is logical as hell, and their ability to get massive boos in the NXT environment is amazing. First half of this was a lot of fun, and Ciampa was tremendous as a ugly bald bearded Ricky Morton, but the finish was just phenomenal. I think Dawson was going for a piledriver when Dash faked falling into the ring, which is great if you buy that in Vince’s World the piledriver is banned. Finish had so many HUGE near falls and great moments – I’m always a mark for guys crashing and burning into the ropes (as Dash did), and the Dawson/Ciampa showdown with them going head-to-head and then just striking the shit out of each other was amazing. Just insane near falls, and the false 3-count was sooooo well done. Right up there with the best Alpha/Revival match, great stuff. ****1/2
5. NXT Women’s Title: Asuka [c] vs. Bayley
Loved Bayley/Asuka, better than the first match which was pretty good itself. This had that Big Match Feel and felt like a fight and struggle the entire time. Bayley on defense is always fun, but her going nuts herself and beating the crap out of Asuka was great fun. Just insane strikes here, this felt like a freakin’ G1 Climax match. Crowd was amped up the whole time and there was a ton of drama towards the finish. While the self-awareness of NXT can get grating, the crowd flipping out for the match and buying every false finish, all the while knowing Bayley’s on her way to the main roster, and then giving her the “Thank You Bayley” chant after the match… that’s special. Hugs for the Four Horsewomen post-match was great too. ***3/4
6. NXT Title: Samoa Joe [c] vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Nakamura entrance was epic and worth the price of admission. Everything else… well. The start was fun, the finish was fun, but man was the middle slow. This match is why it’s sad WWE started catering to hardcore fans later than they did. Joe’s old, man. Match had its moments, but as a main event spectacle fight, Bayley/Asuka was way better. Joe taking a German on his head made me want to puke. Crowd going wild for the Kinshasa, as well as Becky and Sasha marking for the finish, was great fun. It was a good match, but kind of ended the show on a cold note, even if Nakamura having the strap is neat. ***
Overall, a very fun show, with the Tag Title and Women’s Title matches being tremendous, and the No Way Jose/Austin Aries match being a great opener. Everything else was at worst fun too. And at two-and-a-half hours, it was a tight show that kept moving. Onto Summerslam… 7/10
