User Reviews

This event is known for the beginning of many things. For starters, it was the first show in the NXT TakeOver series to be broadcast live on the WWE Network during WrestleMania weekend, a tradition that continue until 2020. It was also notable for several superstar's debut matches including Shinsuke Nakamura and Austin Aries. As well as the last for Sami Zayn and Baron Corbin. I also dig that Kota Ibushi appeared on screening standing in the crowd. It's too bad that WWE rarely used him besides that year summer event: Cruiserweight Classic. I would have love to mark out for him in NXT. Nonetheless he's doing pretty damn good at New Japan Pro Wrestling as of this writing. However, NXT did make good work of the other free agent appearance that night. Wrestler Bobby Roode previous from TNA had a glorious career there. Anyways, taking place in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in front of a soul out crowd of 9,000 people. The first contest of the night saw The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder) defend the NXT Tag Team Championship against American Alpha (Jason Jordan and Chad Gable). While both teams lack personalities and promo skills. They made it up with their ring work. Love the old school ground and pound brawler mat-based amateur wrestling style from both of these teams in contrast to the more common high-flying styles of current day tag teams. No flips, just fists. They mostly kept to their promise. However, there were some awkward botch blow spots throughout the fight such the failed powerbomb attempt. Nevertheless, the fight had a lot of ring psychology with the Revival using some pretty dastardly well done heel tactics and the babyfaces trying to win legally by any means with various of different near falls pinning attempts. It was a great opening. This is followed close by the little build Baron Corbin versus Austin Aries contest. That match was highly disappointing. We didn't see Aries showcase any of his talent. Slow action with tiny amounts of methodical power moves really did hurt the match. Its ending even comes out of nowhere. It's not the debut that fans of Aries were hoping for. Sadly, it was followed up with a lot of bad decisions that cause him to be released a year later. His time was quite short in WWE. Anyways that brings us to the main reason to watch this show. The debut of Shinsuke Nakamura versus Sami Zayn. Sadly, once again this contest didn't really have any story behind it beside general manager William Regal claiming that Nakamura is coming to NXT from New Japan Pro Wrestling. Nevertheless, the fight outshined every match during this PPV. It was hard hitting strong style affair. The fans were loving it from entrance music to the sign of respect ending. The loudest pops of the night. Asuka versus title holder Bayley for the NXT Woman Championship follow this and surprising it really came close to topping Zayn and Nakamura's match. It was truly solid. Rigid kicks and tight submissions hold really does make Asuka one worth watching. While happy go lucky Bayley is just amazing in the babyface role. To add onto that, the live crowd really put this match over with their chants of 'Asuka going kill you' and their song rendition of "Hey Bayley." That brings us to the main event where NXT Champion Finn Balor looked to retain his title against the challenger powerhouse Samoa Joe. The homage to 1974's slasher horror film 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre' entrance really does work with Balor's demon make up get up. He made the right decision. The whole riding a horse idea wouldn't have work as well even if the animal didn't buckle during rehearsals. Anyways the first minutes of this match was really intense as Samoa Joe was busted open. The blood really made Joe menacing. While nobody really wants to see a wrestler get really injury. I hate that the contest was slowed down or even stopped so medical staff can continuously attempt to clean up Joe face rather than finding good times off camera to do that like rest spots. The crowd was really having none of that as F-words were scream out loud. WWE will have field day trying to censor all that in future broadcasts. Regardless the match did find its groove back and maintain its suspense for the rest of the contest. Both men looked strong in the end. Overall: The Lone Star State got a really decent show. A shining example of what NXT can bring.