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There was a point during NXT TakeOver: Toronto, where I told my colleagues on our group chat that I believed this was one of the weaker TakeOver events that I have seen. They would argue, quite rightfully, that I should wait until the main event before I pass my judgment about the show quality.
There were definitely some low points through the course of the night, and it may not have been the best TakeOver I remember watching. But then again, one has the highest of expectations from an NXT TakeOver.
By the end of the night, after the main event match, I had changed my mind completely. This is a show that was well worth my time because Cole and Gargano would risk both life and limb to entertain us all.
This is a best and worst review of what was, eventually, a good show.
#1 Best: Cole tears it up with Gargano
I know that a lot of people were disappointed that we'd see yet another Johnny Gargano vs. Adam Cole match before the event even took place. Even though I had the same thoughts initially, every time the bell rings, these two men prove that they are two of the best in the whole world.
From a really good technical wrestling match to a brawl that took them all over the arena, to finally arriving at what Mauro Ranallo described as a 'Chamber of Horrors', Cole and Gargano told a story of two competitors eager to prove why they should be the face of brand NXT.
The commentary was absolutely extraordinary, especially from Mauro Ranallo. There were many nail-biting moments through the match, and although I did have a problem with it, that I will detail later, it was a thrilling affair.
#1 Worst: Shayna Baszler vs. Mia Yim disappoints
Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano have spent years honing their craft in the independents. While Baszler and Yim have come up in the same manner, they haven't exactly been known for putting on the kind of matches that the NXT Universe likes, preferring more of a 'sports entertainment' route.
I'm sad to report that their match just fell flat when compared to the rest of the card. The Velveteen Dream vs. Pete Dunne vs. Roderick Strong match did not set the world on fire at all, but it was in a different league as compared to this one. As was the tag team match that kicked off the show, even though I've seen both teams put on better matches.
I wonder if it was the right move to keep the title on Baszler, because her run hasn't really been the most memorable one, at least by NXT standards.
#2 Best: Heel Io Shirai is a star
Thankfully, the match I've just described wasn't the only women's contest on the card. Io Shirai squared off with Candice LeRae earlier in the night, in what was a thrilling match. And this induces me to make a very bold prediction.
I know that Shinsuke Nakamura, Asuka, and Kairi Sane haven't really had the same level of success in the main roster that they did in NXT. I will go and say that Shirai will be the first Japanese Superstar that breaks through from the NXT system and establishes herself as a star when she gets called up.
Her character looks modern, sleek, and most importantly, she works brilliantly as a top heel. Even though language may prove to be a problem for her, once she is called up, Shirai has all the attributes needed to break out and establish herself as a Superstar!
#2 Worst: Not going ahead with the 'all gold belongs to the Undisputed ERA' storyline or the opposite
No title changes took place at NXT TakeOver: Toronto. While this is not necessarily a problem in itself, there was a storyline that I was really looking forward to, that will not play out, as a result of the same. As we were reminded several times during the Kickoff show, Adam Cole promised that the Undisputed ERA would be draped in gold.
This would have led to some interesting confrontations with The New Day and The OC, both of whom are also draped in gold and reveling in glory. I would have also been okay, had Adam Cole lost his title to Johnny Gargano, meaning the faction had no gold at all.
Unfortunately, nothing changed and we're back to the status quo once again. It was weird to see the faction celebrate even though their prophecy did not really come true.
#3 Best: The Riddle/Dain segment
How do you have a TakeOver event and keep your hottest star off the cards? The simple answer is that you don't.
Matt Riddle called out Killian Dain for an unadvertised brawl that led to them brawling in the ringside area and then up the ramp. It would end with Riddle, Dain and a bystander crashing through a table, leaving carnage in their wake.
I love how the feud between Riddle and Dain is stretching out to such a degree that the anticipation of seeing them in a match, grows with every passing week. What a great way to utilize a superstar like Dain, a man with a wealth of potential, who did not get his due when he was called up with SAnitY on SmackDown Live.
Dain has the potential to be the top heel in NXT, and I can't wait to see just how far he goes this time.
#3 Best/Worst: The multiple kick-outs
A few years ago, I had a chance to interview Jake 'The Snake' Roberts. I asked him what he felt about others using the DDT as one of the moves in their arsenal, that their opponents would kick out of.
This is what Roberts had to say to me:
It's very foolish of them to do that. It's the best wrestling manoeuvre ever invented. When they go out and do it, and the guy gets up, all you're doing is telling people that- 'When Jake Roberts did it, people didn't get up. So Jake Roberts must be better.'
It was a cool sight to see the Canadian Destroyer used in Canada, but to no avail, because neither Superstar scored a victory with the move. It just felt like yet another move, and didn't feel special.
But then, can you fault Johnny Gargano and Adam Cole after their extraordinary match?
#4 Best/worst: No real surprises at all
Yes, I do know that Austin Theory was in the audience, and so were Tyler Bate and Walter. But usually, big TakeOver events are the site of us glimpsing at new signings and new arrivals. Such wasn't the case this time around at least.
Even when it comes to the entrances, it did feel like they weren't as grand and majestic as they usually are. Considering that this is SummerSlam weekend, I would have assumed that something more special would have been done from an 'entrances' perspective.
But then again, I did not have any major complaints per se about the production, and I just felt that the scale and the magnitude did not seem very grand. The overall package of extraordinary wrestling and exemplary commentary more than made up for all the deficiencies.
How do you think that the main roster will compare to this amazing showcase?
