NXT TakeOver: Chicago

[rzombie1988]

I really would have rather seen a normal AOP vs DIY match. That ladder to the chin spot was so reckless and they did too many spots.

[stro]

Except it wasn't reckless at all, as the replays showed it didn't actually hit Gargano. That it looked so BRUTAL yet actually wasn't is the opposite of reckless. That spot had zero margin for error from any and all of the three involved in it, and they pulled it off 100% perfectly.

[Johnny Sorrow]

Yeah, that was an example of perfect timing and selling. Fucking great stuff.

[SmartMark15]

Thought that the overall card was much better than most of the past few Takeovers. This is aided by the fact that we had a five star match as the second of the night followed by a very strong main event and a killer closing angle. I'm glad the break up came when it did cause now is the perfect time to have a heated singles rivalry at the top of the card to hopefully supplant or supplement the fairly dead NXT Title picture.

[Gutenberger]

Holy shit, that might just have been the best heel turn I've ever seen. Gargano's facial expressions, his complete shock, especially after the CWC callback literally put tears in my eyes.

[NotJayTabb]

Just an all round great show. Weakest match of the night for me was the women's title match, and that was still good. For all that people don't get excited by the former TNA guys in Young and Roode, both delivered strong performances tonight. Young came across as a purely solid heel, did nothing that might cause fans to start cheering him and delivered a few big moments -the wheelbarrow cutter on the floor looked nasty. For a show that looked merely ok on paper, having the WWE MOTY in the first hour of the show, one of the best executed turns in years on the second hour and zero bad matches made this a really well balanced card

[NotJayTabb]

Also of note. Tyler is 20, Pete is 23, and the AoP are 22 and 23. That's an awful lot of talent in some very young wrestlers

[jcmmnx]

I could see AOP getting the call up pretty soon. Yeah they've been in there with good talent, but they've more than held their own in some pretty epic matches. I hope to see Dunne and Bate working some of the NXT regulars, and not just UK guys in the near future.

[Coffey]

I could see AoP getting called up after they eventually drop the tag titles, yeah. Just like they called-up Nia Jax before she was ready. I still think AoP are pretty bad. They're super green & awkward. Clumsy is a good word. They'll get better, as NotJayTabb pointed out, they're still super young but they're nowhere near ready yet. I think they're right where they should be. On the developmental show, learning from others & getting featured on TV (Network). Last night was their first time on top of a PPV. That's gotta be a big deal for them. I want to see them succeed. If they were on the main roster now (or in the near future), I feel like they would become the next American Alpha or Ascension. They have had a couple of good showings recently but I hope WWE doesn't jump the gun & lets them develop for quite a bit longer. There's certainly no rush.

[The Chief]

I can't believe AOP are as green as they are. Or I guess I should say, as young as they are. They're so fucking good I can't believe they have no experience outside of NXT. What an awesome team.

[jcmmnx]

The SDL tag division is pretty dire with Alpha flopping. I could see AOP running thorough every team they have, and having a good feud with the Usos. I don't think AOP needs to be polished vets to work their style. Stroman was greener than they are when he was called up. They already had a good match with Alpha about a year ago.

[shoryukens]

Great show with two must see 4+ star matches.

 

I slept through the Strong v Young match and didn't care enough to give it a rewatch.

 

Dunne vs Bate was amazing and the best WWE match this year. Bate grew his beard and got a haircut; suddenly I'm 100% behind him. It also helps that he has an amazing move set. That shooting press reversed into the triangle into the deadlift improvised powerbomb was an amazing sequence. Bate also pulled a deadlift exploder duplex that I literally popped for. The strike exchange between both of them was probably among the best I've ever seen. Dunne also had amazing moments with the release X plex on the apron and great submissions throughout the whole match, made those restholds interesting to watch. I just hope Bate is okay after taking that nasty bump at the end. Loved this match. 4.5

 

The women's triple threat was about what I expected if not a bit better. I was impressed with Ruby Riot, she's a great bumper and her coccyx got destroyed when she missed the drop kick from the top rope. She also sold the Asuka as really deadly the one type get locked by it. The apron spot where Nikki got Asuka with the apron was clever and the only meaningful thing she did in this match. I'm happy Asuka managed to pin both of them because Ruby or Nikki simply aren't on Asuka's level. 3.5

 

 

I'd say Roode vs Itami was Roode's best match of his reign. Itami teasing and mocking Roode came off as more natural than when Nakamura did it. Itami also did those Shibata style drop kicks on the steel steps and the ring corner which I'm a huge sucker for. I remember Roode doing a great spinebuster which looked great. I bought into the fake finishes as well and that's a plus for me. 3.75

 

The tag titles being hanged so low while AOP being so big took me out of the ladder match during the beginning, but that all changed when Gargano took that ladder for Ciampa. It simple spot like those that makes pro wrestling such a captivating story telling medium, I fucked loved that spot so much. It also made for a strong contrast for the end when Ciampa turned on him. The jump off the ladder through the ladders spot was unnecessary in my opinion, it just came off as really dangerous for no reason. It doesn't help that Gargano ate the floor on the way down, that looked really nasty. Either way, this match was fantastic DIY was a much better baby face team than American Alpha was back when they were in NXT. This would be WWE match of the year if it weren't for the U.K. championship match. 4.5

[DMJ]

I actually thought the main event better than UK Title match - and probably would've said it even without the post-match (which I thought was great). To me, that moment when Gargano took the bullet for Ciampa sealed it. Dunne/Bate may have had more fireworks, but to a casual fan like myself, I'm not really emotionally invested in them as characters yet (though, I did think Dunne was instantly unlikeable in a way so few are). Even if this was your first Gargano/Ciampa match, that singular moment was so heart-wrenching, you could fully understand the story of this team and of Gargano particularly. Then that post-match happens and, damn, you can just hear the money-printing machine boot on.

 

I would like to see Dunne/Bate again. I fucking *need* to see Gargano/Ciampa.

[El-P]

I thought Roode vs Itami was better than the UK match. Sure, that UK match was full of cool shit. But, not being familiar with either of them, that's what it looked like to me. A match full of cool shit that you kick out of many many times, then do a fun shot exchange that would go over like crazy in Japan, then more cool shit and stupid bumps and a finisher that looks right out of Chris Sabin/Petey Williams/Eric Shelley X-div match in 2006 (I should know, that's what I'm actively watching these days). And for what it was, yeah, tons of fun. *Great* match ? I wouldn't go that far. I wonder how much the novelty aspect plays into the overhype for this stuff. But to me, it's toward excellent mindless indy spotfu. I like Bate the most (love the Backlund-like strenght stuff).

 

Meanwhile, I thought Roode & Itami worked a match that showed more purpose, with lots of great selling, actual cool offense too at times although it wasn't nearly as spectacular of course. But as a pro-wrestling match with, wait for it, "storytelling" and more of a sense of a build, it was better and I enjoyed it more. They worked perfectly well together, unlike the Nak match (which tells something about Nak to me, again). I despise the "glorious" bit, although I guess Roode isn't even supposed to be a heel anymore, is he ? Anyway, I thought this was excellent. Odd to see that Roode is basically the exact character he was when he quit Team Canade in 2006 to become "the hottest free agent in the business". He's basically the same guy...

 

...whereas Eric Young, while not being the same guy, was already showing signs of being out of his rocker at the same period in 2006 after Team Canada was disbanded. Kinda odd and funny sense of logic here. Match with Strong went too long, but it was a perfectly solid match. I don't see the issue about Young at all. Except of course the whole Sanity stuff is stupid when they do those robotic WWE intro...

 

...much like the girl of the group is doing. Kinda embarrassing and not credible one bit. Pillman looked crazy (while still overdoing it tbh). She's just doing a bad routine. As far as work goes however, I liked her a lot. I also enjoyed Ruby. And Asuka ruled as always, and despite Three-ways being one of the most annoying gimmick, they had a very good match. Rough around the edge, but it made the cool shit un-cutesy, which is nice. I always enjoy the fact we have different types of bodyshape and looks here. Asuka taking advantage of the situation got me back to that multi-man with Samoa Joe in, well, TNA 2006, and although it's obvious it's not exactly the same kind of aura and booking, there's something comparable to their unbeaten streak. Right down to the "Joe/Asuka is gonna kill you" chant. Which is one of my favourite chant, dating back to Taz in ECW, where it all began I believe.

 

Keeping the tag match for later. But with a solid match at worst, a very good one and two excellent ones already, this show is easily the best Takeover in a long time and murders this terrible Sunday PPV.

 

Yeah, NXT sure is a winner as far as training new talent... well, wait... well, it's fun anyway.

 

(hearing Kenta Kobashi & Manami Toyota names on a WWE broadcast, how times have changed)

[Dylan Waco]

Didn't care for Roode v Itami much at all and I'm kind of mystified at people saying it was better than either Roode v Nakamura match. I could see preferring it to the Mania Takeover match, but the San Antonio match was vastly better in my eyes.

 

I thought Dunne v Bate was brilliant. Probably as well paced a 15 minute title match as I've ever seen. These two have incredible chemistry and are all time great rivals. In terms of pace, build and psychology it reminded me some of Rey v Eddie from HH 97.

 

Young v Roddy inoffensive but way, way too long and for no good reason. The women's match was kind of a mess, though I didn't hate. Asuka and Riot had no chemistry which I found incredibly odd.

 

AOP v DIY was good, but I didn't love it. Fun spot heavy match with some nice dramatic moments and visual spots, but I actually think both teams are far more suited for a traditional tag structure. I will say that it felt like the end of an era for the NXT tag teams which really had taken the spot from the women as the anchor of the show. for that reason I thought it deserved to main event. I'm assuming the UK guys will be the next dominant project on NXT and expect to see a UK title match main event a Takeover in the next 12 months.

 

The turn was great and well done, but a part of me wishes DIY had gone longer. Both guys really found themselves in that team, and they out together a tremendous resume of high end matches for a unit that didn't even last 2 full years.

 

Over all I thought the show was carried by the brilliant Dunne v Bate match (easily my WWE MOTY) and the closing angle. Those highs were so strong I can see calling it a great show, but if I was measuring based on percentage of good on the show this might be my least favorite Takeover ever. A good event overall

[Jimmy Redman]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YOU BASTARD! HOW COULD YOU?! HOW DARE YOU?! HE TOOK A BULLET FOR YOU! SAVED YOU FROM CERTAIN DEATH! HE SACRIFICED HIS WHOLE LIFE FOR YOU! AND THAT'S WHAT YOU DO??? YOU ARE A MONSTER!

 

I watched this 24 hours ago and I'm still mad. I hate you Tommaso Ciampa! You are a bad man!

 

The little touches made this - the self-sacrifice in the middle of the match, the pulling the knee pads down, even the sitting there together to evoke memories of the CWC match. Good Lord.

 

Also Bate/Dunne was fucking bonkers and I loved it. It was already hitting maximum power at the first standing O, and somehow they levelled up like 10 more times after that. Those guys just made themselves.

 

Fuck a Bobby Roode though. For a guy who is such a supposed "old school heel", he sure as fuck doesn't like doing anything heelish in these title matches. His shoulder was totally fucked up and he still decisively beat Hideo clean as a sheet. Poke an eye, pull some tights, do something. Christ man. Not sure where Hideo goes after that.

[El-P]

Big ladders, small ladders, medium ladders...

 

I climb slow, look at me setup a cute spot...

 

Put up some ladders, Eliminators would yawn...

 

Holy shit ! Holy shit ! Jeff Hardy taught us to work !

 

That ladder match was exactly the kind of stuff I don't care one bit for in 2017, especially when it's such poorly paced and way too written in advance. Seriously, the AoP just are greenhorns who look like they think about the script before each move they make. Way too contrived, felt inorganic as hell and this is basically the Hardys/E&C/Dudleys/MITB school of ladder matches, which I can't stand. Taking huge, dangerous and painfull bumps for the sake of it. Tell me again about the wonderful WWE mentality being better than the indies or NJ in term of busting up bodies. Worst match of the night.

 

The heel turn was excellent though.

 

Well, apart from that, that Takeoever was still the best in a long time.

[stro]

Idk, AOP feel like they get their role and their size and how it relates to their role far more than you should ever expect guys in their early 20s to understand. Neither of those dudes are even 25. One of them started TRAINING in 2015. The other in 2016. I'm not going to hold it against them that they climbed a ladder too quickly or slowly a year or two into their careers.

[El-P]

They're ok for the experience level. Much better than Nia Jaxx, that's for sure. Just that. Ok. Fine. Bad looks (I always hated the Shield look, dating back to Big Boss Man in 1999) but fine otherwise.

 

The match still was a pre-programmed clusterfuck. I like chaos and stupid shit when it looks like chaos and stupid shit, not carefully set-ups spots where you can almost write the script as it is going on.

[Cap]

I though this was one of the better overall NXT matches in a while. It was pretty solid show, top to bottom.

 

I had Strong/Young on in the background and liked what I saw, but it did seem to go kind of long. Young is solid for what he does and is pretty clearly sort of a mid-card placeholder to position more mobile guys. How guys do against him tells you a lot about their trajectory. Given how Dillinger struggled to get a win over Sanity/Young, getting this nod was pretty big for an upwardly mobile Strong.

 

The UK title match was off the charts good. It is right there with their finals match for me. They were quite different and both great. I am glad they decided to build the UK title/division/promotion (whatever it is) around these two for now. It is a MOTY candidate for sure, especially a WWE banner MOTY candidate.

 

The women's match was ok, but I thought it was a little clunky. Triple threats are just so hard to do really well and parts of it were tons of fun. It just didn't stand out much. I am much more intersetd in Asuka vs Moon II and Riot vs Cross in a legit one-on-one.

 

I liked the title match, but I get why some didn't. I thought Roode was good here. I am good with heels winning clean sometimes. It makes their eventual heelings mean a lot more. Itami was never going to get the belt here and is probably not in NXT's long term plans, so building him up quick to give us some Roode highlights for down the road was good. This one just felt very sanitized and plastic to me. It was very well planned out and rehearsed, but to a fault really. Nothing rough around the edges. It also more or less went one speed, which is a Roode match, but that isn't an Itami match. Itami worked on top enough that this should have been a little more dynamic. Itami feels like he was rushed back into this and his charicter/position isn't quite established just yet. I think some of his cocky face, killer striker offense just didn't have the meaning it should have because it lacked some context. I still thought it was quite good. They accomplished what they needed to and almost everything was executed well.

 

The ladder match is exactly the kind of ladder match I hate. Everything was so contrived and didn't really make sense. They were having a ladder match instead of a match that had ladders in it. Even still, they built the drama with selling and the way the match was constructed in a way that sold me and made me kind of love it. Some of the spots were bonkers. This had that rough around the edges feel with the really brutal looking spots, the broken in half ladder, and then the eventual really well executed turn (more in a second). Basically, they made me like this match in spite of it doing a lot of things I hated. I thought this was easily AOP's best performance as it felt less like DIY was working against them to have a god match. Gargano really is an incredible face. He has come into his own as being the Ricky Morton face and I hope he can carry that momentum into a singles run in NXT/WWE.

 

The turn was really well done. It is funny. I expected this long ago as I thought they were laying it on thick last summer int he CWC and the way matches were executed around that time, then they stuck together with success. I had actually come to accept them really recently as a longer term tag team. I always liked them, but was ever-ready for the break up because babyface Ciampa is strange to me. I wanted the psycho killer. But it makes sense; as long as they were winning, Ciampa was fine with it and as soon as it was clear they weren't going to get those belts back, he snaps. Sure, I wanted more DIY matches, but I think that is the best time to break them up, when everyone wants just a little bit more. Both men played this up perfectly. Their facial expressions were fantastic. Their feud will be great and they are both set up to be impactful singles wrestlers now, top-shelf stuff.