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When fans talk about the best wrestling major events of the year, NXT TakeOver is usually brought up. Since the first event back in 2014, it has been the platform that has blown off the biggest feuds and presented the most exciting dream matches in NXT. The quarterly specials for the black-and-gold brand have cultivated a reputation for being the stage for the very best that WWE has to offer.
NXT TakeOver started at Full Sail University before it ventured out into major arenas starting at TakeOver: Brooklyn in 2015. It has gone to London, and it has also been hosted by multiple cities in the United States. With the introduction of NXT UK, this brand has even had three specials of its own events in Blackpool and Cardiff.
With NXT TakeOver 36 on the horizon, there have been 38 different events between the North American side and the UK brand. In this article, let's take a look back at the ten greatest NXT TakeOver classics of all time.
#10 Finn Balor vs. Kyle O'Reilly for the NXT Championship (NXT TakeOver 31)
Finn Balor's return to NXT came full circle when he defeated Adam Cole to win the NXT Championship on the September 8th, 2020 Super Tuesday II special. He found his first challenger for his second reign with the top prize in Kyle O'Reilly. The Undisputed Era member broke through and won a gauntlet to become the number one contender for the gold at TakeOver 31.
The bout proved to be a true fight that presented a level of realism not regularly seen in WWE matches. Balor came in with a gameplan, as he targeted the challenger's ribs, while O'Reilly focused on the champion's shoulder. The work Balor did on O'Reilly's midsection was effective, and it would come back to haunt him at various times in this contest.
The two men traded submissions fabulously, with Balor blocking a kneebar and locking in a sharpshooter and O'Reilly blocking the 1916 into a guillotine choke. KOR caught Balor flush on the chin, and he even broke the champion's jaw mid-way through the main event. The technical wrestling and stiff strikes showed how badly both men wanted to walk out with the NXT Championship.
Balor eventually overwhelmed O'Reilly with a standing double stomp and followed up with the Coup De Grace for the victory. This was an incredible NXT Championship Match that was among the best of the year in WWE. Finn Balor showed the type of wrestling that he came back to NXT for, while Kyle O'Reilly proved himself as a main eventer and future champion.
#9 The Revival vs. DIY in a 2 out of 3 Falls Match for the NXT Tag Team Championships (NXT TakeOver: Toronto)
Tag team wrestling wasn't featured prominently on the early NXT TakeOvers. Teams like Ascension, Lucha Dragons and the Vaudevillains were given chances to stand out, but they were never in the best match of the night. That being said, The Revival changed this pattern.
Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson changed the game when they defeated the Vaudevillains to win the NXT Tag Team Championships. The Revival went on to put on consecutive bangers against American Alpha at TakeOver: Dallas and The End. Still, these contests just proved to be the tip of the iceberg of the tag team excellence that would soon be showcased on the black-and-gold brand.
This evolution continued shortly after Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa came into WWE separately and were forced to team up. The duo that would become known as DIY worked their way to the top and faced The Revival at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II. This contest was an absolute showstealer, and The Revival won the bout. The hard-fought clash set the stage for a rematch at the following TakeOver.
The Revival faced DIY in a two-out-of-three falls match for the NXT Tag Team Championships at NXT TakeOver: Toronto. The rematch was an excellent tag team contest with great nearfalls, a terrific crowd and stellar callbacks to their previous matches. The four men told a magical story of the heroes finally overcoming the villains when DIY made both members of the Revival tap out to win the gold.
#8 Tyler Bate vs. Pete Dunne for the WWE United Kingdom Championship (NXT TakeOver: Chicago)
The story of NXT UK dates back to the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament. That evening, Tyler Bate defeated Pete Dunne to become the first ever United Kingdom Champion. At just 19 years old, he was the youngest champion in WWE history at that time.
The rivalry between Bate and Dunne came to the main stage at NXT TakeOver: Chicago. Fans knew that both men entered the bout with something to prove, and both stars clearly wanted to put a spotlight on the fledging NXT UK brand.
Dunne and Bate showed their individual skills masterfully. The Bruiserweight had a brilliant mix of hard-hitting strikes and brutal submission work, while Bate showcased his unrivaled strength for a man of his size and thrilling agility. The exchanges and reversals were fascinating to see unfold throughout the bout. In one memorable moment, Bate flipped out of Dunne's X-Plex into a standing shooting star press.
The crowd was enthralled in the action, especially when an exchange of strikes ended with a rebound lariat by Bate for a nearfall. He followed that up with a moonsault press to the floor and a spinal tap back in the ring. Later, Dunne got a deciding blow when he caught Bate with a nasty forearm and followed him in the ring, where he hit the Bitter End to win the title.
Bate and Dunne took everything that they did in the United Kingdom Championship Tournament and made it even better at NXT TakeOver: Chicago. This clash felt special, and it was truly a star-making performance for both men that put their names and the NXT UK brand on the map.
#7 Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (NXT TakeOver: Dallas)
When fans think of famous NXT TakeOver dream matches, they will always bring up Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura from TakeOver: Dallas. This contest marked the WWE debut of Nakamura. The former IWGP Heavyweight Champion came in as a Japanese legend and one of the biggest signings in the history of the black-and-gold brand.
On the other hand, Zayn came into this bout as a NXT legend and a former NXT Champion. He had just returned a few months prior from an injury, and this would be his final match for the brand. The hype for the match was incredible, and it had a fully invested crowd in Dallas, Texas during WrestleMania 32 weekend.
It began with a feeling-out process that was both simple and effective. It allowed for Nakamura's charisma to shine, as his taunts and mannerisms were loved by the crowd. The two opponents slowly escalated the action and played off the crowd expertly at NXT TakeOver: Dallas. The counters to the wrestlers' signature offense were awesome and the nearfalls were gripping.
In the end, Nakamura hit the Kinshasa for the win. This bout completely lived up to all expectations with an amazing effort from both men. It was a perfect match to debut Nakamura in NXT, and it also felt like a tremendous way to give Zayn a proper sendoff from the brand that he helped build.
#6 Adam Cole vs. EC3 vs. Killian Dain vs. Lars Sullivan vs. Ricochet vs. Velveteen Dream in a Ladder Match for the NXT North American Championship (NXT TakeOver: New Orleans)
Heading into NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, Triple H introduced a secondary title to the black-and-gold brand. The NXT North American Championship would give the superstars another goal to strive for. A ladder match with six men fighting to become the first champion was destined to steal the show.
Adam Cole, EC3, Killian Dain, Lars Sullivan, Ricochet and Velveteen Dream fought with all their hearts in a grueling bout that allowed every man to shine. This was a complete spectacle in every way possible. Ricochet had to be considered the MVP; in his first WWE match, he put on a brilliant performance with several stunning highlights.
His springboard shooting star press to the floor, after he was pushed off a ladder, has been replayed many times since it happened. Ricochet flew through the air with ease. Velveteen Dream showed off his unmatched presence and hit a beautiful elbow drop off a 20-foot ladder. EC3 made his return to WWE, and he had the crowd heavily behind him.
Lars Sullivan and Killian Dain were the monsters in this match, and they hit big moves including dual powerhouse moves that put their opponents through ladders at ringside. After all the carnage, it was Adam Cole who knocked Ricochet off a ladder and climbed up to retrieve the strap to become the first NXT North American Champion.
The contest immediately established a new title and spotlighted the six men better than any other match could. There were so many spectacular and memorable spots that have been included in video packages ever since. It stands as the greatest NXT TakeOver opener of all time, and one of the very best bouts in the brand's history.
#5 Sasha Banks vs. Bayley for the NXT Women's Championship (NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn)
Women's wrestling was elevated to amazing heights thanks to the hard work of the division in NXT. Paige and Emma had a good, if not great, matches that put attention on the women behind them on the black-and-gold brand. When those two women were called up to the main roster, it paved the way for four ladies to take things to the next level.
Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks and Bayley would affectionately become known as the Four Horsewomen. They put on blistering showcases that made each one of them a star for NXT, eventually, the main roster. The latter two crafted a brilliant story of a cocky upstart champion and a plucky underdog who hadn't won the big one just yet.
This rivalry all came to a head at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn on August 22nd, 2015. It was the first TakeOver to take place outside of Full Sail University, and a major arena at the Barclay Center was the perfect stage. The two women came in with something to prove, and they showed exactly why they would become two of the most renowned stars in the industry.
Sasha Banks was absolutely superb, displaying her once-in-a-lifetime talent. In one incredible spot, she flew through the air with a plancha to the outside over the referee's back. Banks had expert timing, mannerisms and facial expressions that were ahead of her relative youth. On offense, the level of realism she possessed was better than most men in the business at that time.
That being said, Bayley matched Banks' exemplary performance. She was the prototypical underdog babyface who never gave up and showed incredible determination. Bayley had garnered plenty of sympathy in the leadup, and she overcame a Brooklyn crowd that was in favor of the champion at the beginning of this contest.
The closing stretch was magnificent, with Bayley overcoming Banks' signature offense. She hit a top -rope poisonrana and followed with the Bayley-to-Belly to win the NXT Women's Championship. The Four Horsewomen curtain call was a cherry on top of a magical moment that lives on as one of the most unforgettable scenes in WWE history.
#4 Andrade Cien Almas vs. Johnny Gargano for the NXT Championship (NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia)
Andrade Cien Almas was someone who overcame early struggles on the NXT roster to become a success. Upon being aligned with Zelina Vega, the former IWGP Intercontinental Champion started picking up wins until he defeated Drew McIntyre to win the NXT Championship at TakeOver: WarGames 2017. His first major title defense pit him against Johnny Gargano at the next TakeOver event.
Andrade beat Gargano in the opener to NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III. Johnny Wrestling was still dealing with the breakup of DIY at TakeOver: Chicago, but he started to pick up steam shortly after that setback. He became the number one contender for the top prize at TakeOver: Philadelphia.
In this contest, Gargano and Andrade started off with smooth transitions and exchanges. The two men knew each other extremely well, which made for a captivating counter. Andrade took control until Johnny Wrestling made a tremendous babyface comeback with his Lawn Dart and superkicks to earn close nearfalls. At one point, he locked on the Gargano Escape, but Andrade fought to make it to the ropes.
They worked their way to the apron, where Andrade blasted Gargano. Almas then followed up with vicious charging knees against the post and hit a draping hammerlock DDT to retain the NXT Championship. This clash was a simply sensational battle that earned the first Wrestling Observer Newsletter five-star rating for a WWE match in seven years.
NXT Takeover: Philadelphia's main event had everything a fan would want in wrestling. It had terrific action, a great villain, and an awesome babyface that the Philly crowd wanted to will to victory. All in all, it offered fans spectacular storytelling, drama and a compelling finish.
#3 Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa in an Unsanctioned Match (NXT TakeOver: New Orleans)
The tale of DIY is argubaly the best story WWE has ever presented in NXT. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa were put together in the 2015 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, and they meshed so well that they became the greatest babyface tag team on the brand. Their breakup was tragic, with Ciampa turning on Gargano at TakeOver: Chicago in a shocking twist.
Following Gargano's loss against Andrade at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, the crowd gave him a standing ovation that was interrupted abruptly by the returning Ciampa, who attacked his former partner with a crutch. Ciampa then cost Johnny Wrestling a Loser Leaves NXT Match against Almas that took his job from him. After Gargano haunted Ciampa, he challenged his former partner to an unsanctioned showdown.
The main event of NXT TakeOver: New Orleans was the perfect culmination to an all-time great WWE major event. Ciampa was the most hated superstar on the brand, and he was greeted with unanimous boos from the New Orleans crowd. It became instantly clear that this contest had a stellar story and an emotional hook that not many feuds in recent history could match.
This unsanctioned match was physically intense, with Gargano meeting Ciampa's ruthlessness with heart and determination. There were many memorable spots, like Gargano's sunset flip powerbomb onto the concrete floor. A compelling closing stretch punctuated this fantastic battle.
Gargano was an amazing babyface who tried to allow his former friend to repent for his sins when he had him on the verge of defeat. He sat next to Ciampa, like they did at the end of their Cruiserweight Classic matchup. Of course, Ciampa was still an evil human being, but Gargano knew it was coming, and he used his own knee brace to lock in the STF for the win. This match was a phenomenal classic that will be remembered for years to come.
#2 WALTER vs. Tyler Bate for the NXT United Kingdom Championship (NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff)
WALTER debuted in WWE at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool with plenty of hype behind him. The man who had become the final boss of the UK independent scene was seen as a game-changer for the NXT UK brand. Shortly after his arrival, he defeated Pete Dunne for the NXT United Kingdom Championship at TakeOver: New York to end his record-breaking title reign.
WALTER then created his Imperium stable because he wanted the group to replace British Strong Style as the leading faction in NXT UK. Imperium took out Dunne and Tyler Bate, and WALTER finally decimated Trent Seven in a brutal angle. This brutality prompted Bate's return, and he challenged for the championship at NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff.
Bate's match with WALTER was an epic encounter that is among the longest matches in WWE in the past decade. Over 42 minutes, WALTER dominated Bate with brutal chops and a hard-hitting offense. At one point, the champion powerbombed Bate into the ring post as a callback to the original angle that took him out of action. Throughout the bout, Bate proved to be a dazzling underdog babyface who the crowd got behind in a big way.
The two men kept things simple with big moves, dramatic comebacks and engaging sequences. WALTER was a bullying brute who was superbly matched by Bate, a resilient babyface. The champion hit a huge powerbomb, but Bate shockingly kicked out at one. WALTER then put the challenger down with some devastating chops and a nasty lariat to retain the NXT UK Championship.
The work was top-notch, the bout had spectacular drama, andthe fantastic crowd that added so much to this classic. This title bout lived up to any and all expectations. The closing stretch was scintillating, and it made for an overall Match of the Year candidate. This bout still stands as one of top two NXT UK matches of all time.
#1 Adam Cole vs. Johnny Gargano in a 2-out of-3 Falls Match for the NXT Championship (NXT TakeOver: New York)
Heading into NXT TakeOver: New York, Johnny Gargano was well on his way to finishing his underdog journey to the top prize on the black-and-gold brand. He had lured his former friend, Tommaso Ciampa, into a false sense of security and turned on him ahead of the event. But Ciampa went down with an untimely neck injury that kept him out of action.
With Ciampa injured, Adam Cole defeated Matt Riddle, Ricochet, Aleister Black and Velveteen Dream in a Fatal Five-Way Match to become the challenger for Gargano in a winner-take-all matchup at NXT TakeOver: New York. To make sure there was an undisputed winner, it was made a two-out of-three falls match for the gold.
This contest had everything needed for a big-fight feel. It pit two exceptional superstars, who were among the best wrestlers in the world, against each other. The Brooklyn crowd was heavily pro-Cole, and it seemed down on Gargano. Once the bell rang, things started out slow, but they escalated from there.
The two men traded offense and wonderful reversals that fully engrossed the fans. They traded cradles and pinning combinations before Cole hit a Last Shot to take the first fall.
Cole looked to immediately win NXT Takeover: New York's main event by attacking with strikes and hitting a German suplex-shining wizard combination. The two men traded more blows, and Gargano took Cole down with an armbar before he made him tap out to the Gargano Escape, typing the contest at one fall apiece.
Before the third fall, Gargano was bleeding from his right eye, which generated even more sympathy from the fans. The intensity ramped up, and the pace also reached a fever pitch. The two stars exchanged huge movesand exciting counters to their signature offense. The Undisputed Era even got involved, and they hit a Total Elimination, but Gargano kicked out.
Johnny Wrestling kicked out of the Last Shot and got the crowd behind him. Practically everyone in attendance wanted to see Gargano win. In the end, Cole talked trash and looked for the Last Shot, but Gargano countered and locked on the Gargano Escape to finally win the NXT Championship. The hero overcame the odds and culminated his story with the biggest win of his career.
Johnny Gargano was the ultimate underdog who fought against the Undisputed Era and beat Adam Cole in dramatic fashion. The crowd was phenomenal and went from pro-Cole to pro-Gargano because they were gripped by the amazing storytelling. This victory was an absolute triumph for Johnny Wrestling and the NXT brand. As a result, Adam Cole vs. Johnny Gargano is the greatest NXT TakeOver classic of all time.
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