NXT has had an incredibly successful year. The year has seen talent elevated to the main roster, competitive matches during their weekly program and high-quality quarterly Takeover events. NXT has proven that they are not only excited about the future but are set to ensure that the future is now.
Just over the course of the past month, there have been some interesting events that have taken place. In what may be a monthly contribution, we will examine some of the biggest and most notable moments in NXT every month.
While it will not be a straight review, it will highlight occurrences on either their weekly program or a Takeover event that were noteworthy for the fans watching.
Whether it's to discuss a new feud emerging or a confrontation taking place, this will be the place where Sportskeeda readers can come to in order to find out what stood out the most. What was exceptionally memorable this particular month?
In this month's edition, among the most memorable moments are two title changes, a feud emerging, and the growing recognition that a long-standing member of the promotion is receiving. Here are NXT's five most memorable moments for November 2016.
#5 Shinsuke Nakamura losing the NXT championship
On Saturday, November 19th, Shinsuke Nakamura defended his NXT championship against the Samoan Submission Machine, Samoa Joe. The match result not only caught fans off guard, but it stunned them. There had been a great deal of build put into the lead-up to this one-on-one rematch for the NXT championship.
After Nakamura won the championship, and Samoa Joe came to the ring during his celebratory promo, fans were led to believe that a gracious former champion had come to applaud the new champion. But fans witnessed a swerve as he attacked Nakamura, putting him on the shelf.
The story was that Nakamura was hurt, and Joe started decimating the roster, demanding either Nakamura or the title, or he would continue his rampage. During the rematch on the 19th, fans were treated to a hard-hitting affair between the two that was stiff and intense.
The back and forth battle spilt onto the floor, where the referee didn't see a low blow by Joe. Joe took the wounded Nakamura and slammed him onto the steel steps. He then proceeded to roll Nakamura into the ring and hit him with the muscle buster.
Samoa Joe shocked the NXT universe by becoming the first ever two-time NXT champion.
#4 #DIY capturing the NXT tag team championship
If fans didn't know who Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano were before, they certainly do now.
Both men have competed all over the world in different promotions before joining WWE, and NXT. Ciampa has been known for going off the deep end, and in doing so has been able to take out every competitor in his path.
His battles with Jay Lethal in Ring of Honor stand out as some of his best. Johnny Gargano has also shown how talented he is in the ring by competing for Jeff Jarrett's Global Force Wrestling promotion and other independent promotions across North America.
When both men came together to form a team in NXT, one wondered how long it would last. Fans did not need to wonder any longer. Under the name DIY (meaning Do It Yourself), Gargano and Ciampa scratched and clawed until they earned the right to compete for the NXT Tag team championships.
They had been engaged in a long-standing feud with the champions, The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder), but it seemed like time was running out for them. As fate would have it, Ciampa and Gargano were able to make both Dawson and Wilder tap out simultaneously, and they captured the titles in a conclusive manner.
#3 Authors of Pain capturing the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic
They are two big men that have been wreaking havoc in NXT, and are not simply subject to good booking, but are physically imposing as well. They are the Authors of Pain.
When The Ascension were the NXT tag team champions and made to look like an unstoppable force, there was always a question of if they looked the part, or were just playing the part. But the Authors of Pain are a very different breed of animal.
Their physical appearance certainly justifies them being booked as monsters who intimidate the entire tag team division.
They are managed by Paul Ellering, former manager of the legendary Road Warriors. Ellering had been getting involved in his team's matches more and more lately, so during the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team classic finale he was suspended in a cage above the ring while the Authors of Pain faced the team of Nick Miller and Shane Thorne, TM-61.
After a back and forth matchup between the teams, the Authors of Pain proved how dominant they are, as they soundly defeated the Aussie team clean, after some unsuccessful attempts at doing so in the most dastardly of ways, including being given a chain by the supposedly helpless Ellering.
#2 Sanity reigns down on No Way Jose
One of the most intriguing factions to surface in the whole of WWE, let alone NXT, has been Sanity.
Led by Eric Young, wrestlers Nikki Cross, Alexander Wolfe and Sawyer Fulton have come together to become a formidable quartet that has shown that they won't play by the rules. They appear to be a group of post-apocalyptic scavengers that will pick at the bones of any and all competitors.
But in an interesting turn of events, one man, No Way Jose, decided that he was going to step up and thwart Eric young, who he called the 'puppet master.'
Jose has never been shy to put himself out there, and regardless of wins or losses, he has shown that he is capable of putting on solid matches that fans can enjoy. Once fans get past the dancing they see a very capable athlete that puts up as much of a personality into his in-ring performances as he does while delivering a promo.
Jose's rivalry with Young began when Sanity attacked Rich Swann, Jose's partner in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The odds against No Way Jose may be too great though, as Sanity have shown strength in numbers.
#1 Tye Dillinger's rise to fame is coming
As a long-standing member of the NXT roster, Tye Dillinger has been given the label of enhancement talent. He would elevate other men on the roster, often being a first television opponent for debuting starts, and would always be complimented for his efforts in the end.
He has also been used frequently at the Performance Centre to assist rehabilitating superstars to get back into ring shape. Dillinger competed for WWE briefly in 2006 but spent a great amount of time in their developmental system along the way.
Many believe that efforts can only go so far, and taking the next step in wrestling requires charm and personality. Dillinger has clearly shown that he has both. After his tag team with Jason Jordan fizzled out, Dillinger was reborn as the Perfect 10.
With each chop, punch, kick and exposed knee finisher, he has slowly earned the respect of the fanbase. Him flashing ten fingers, indicating his perfection, has not only been applauded by fans but has often been replicated and chanted.
His recent losses have come to the likes of Bobby Roode and Samoa Joe, but despite those losses, the fans have showed that they will continue to support the Perfect 10 regardless.
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