10 greatest NXT TakeOver classics of all time

#8 Tyler Bate vs. Pete Dunne for the WWE United Kingdom Championship (NXT TakeOver: Chicago)

Tyler Bate vs Pete Dunne - NXT Takeover ChicagoTyler Bate vs WALTER - NXT UK Takeover CardiffTyler Bate vs Jordan Devlin - NXT UK Takeover Blackpool II Need we say more? The #bigstrongboi is a star. He has to get a rocket strapped to him NOW! #TylerBate #WWE #NXT #NXTUK pic.twitter.com/QZIyKsusP6

— Scottish Smarks Podcast (@ScottishSmarks) January 13, 2020

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.

Tyler Bate vs. Pete Dunne - NXT TakeOver: Chicago - 5/20/2017 in a single GIF. pic.twitter.com/umgdqHUgaz

— Allan (@allan_cheapshot) May 22, 2017

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.