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Does it seem surprising at all that NXT TakeOver delivered for the second night in a row?
Following a stellar Night One, which you can read about HERE, the second part of NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver raised the bar even further. It was not constrained by time, allowing each match to breathe and flow naturally.
We saw some fantastic contests on display, including a brutal Unsanctioned Match that headlined the show.
Titles were won, while some Superstars enjoyed breakout performances. A lot of Night Two was brilliant, with a couple of minor concerns. Once again, the 'Worst' section is nearly empty.
Anyway, here are the main positives and negatives from Night Two of NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. What was your favorite match on the show? Let us know what you think in the comments.
#1 Best - Johnny Gargano impresses at NXT TakeOver yet again
Every single NXT TakeOver, Johnny Gargano is seemingly guaranteed to have an incredible match. Now, we can add one more classsic to his stellar in-ring collection. Tonight, Johnny Wrestling successfully defended his NXT North American Championship against Bronson Reed.
The big Australian put on a great performance, following his victory in the Gauntlet Eliminator on Night One of NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
Reed's power was on display, while Gargano did well to chop him down. The two styles meshed pretty well in this match.
One of the highlights of this match was the ridiculous Razor's Edge from Bronson Reed, from the elevated platform at ringside right into the ring. However, it was not enough to pick up the victory. Johnny Gargano benefitted from the help he received from Austin Theory late into the match.
The NXT Triple Crown Champion put his challenger away after hitting two One Final Beats.
Gargano continues his fine reign, looking stellar in the process. Bronson Reed had the best match of his career so far.
#1 Worst - A missed opportunity with The Way at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver
NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver featured the first special PPV defense of the NXT Women's Tag Team Championships. The idea of these titles is confusing, especially when you consider the poor usage of the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles on RAW and SmackDown.
WWE should have simply transferred the main roster tag team belts to NXT to legitimize it, instead of creating yet another set of them.
Nevertheless, Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart enjoyed a successful defense of them at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
The two babyfaces defeated Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell to remain Champions. However, the potential of a heel victory could have led to some fun shenanigans on NXT. LeRae and Hartwell are part of The Way, one of the best parts of the black and gold brand currently.
With Johnny Gargano retaining his North American Title, the faction could have been draped in gold following NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. It would have been great to see Johnny Wrestling lead the celebrations on this coming Tuesday.
However, we will have to hope The Way gets their hands on the Women's Tag Titles at a later date.
#2 Best - The Cruiserweights shine at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver
Night Two of NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver began with a bang, as Santos Escobar unified the Cruiserweight Championship in an explosive Ladder Match against Jordan Devlin.
Some of the spots here wowed everyone, from those in attendance to all the fans watching at home.
The momentum was swinging both ways at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, as Escobar used the ladders in an interesting manner.
He hit a suicide dive onto Devlin, sending him into a leaning ladder. That was the start of the big moves, with the two cruiserweight stars taking it up a notch.
The biggest spot of the match came when the Devlin hit a Moonsault from the very top of a ladder. He seemingly had the match won before Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde interfered.
Legado del Fantasma attacked the Irishman and gave their leader the massive advantage.
Santos Escobar used it perfectly, eventually standing tall after sending his opponent through a bridged ladder with a headbutt.
Not only was the match a complete success, but it also served as validation for the Lucha Libre star. He is now the King of the Cruiserweights following NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
#3 Best/Worst - Karrion Kross wins big at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, but what's next for Finn Balor?
NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver featured the crowning moment of Karrion Kross' career. He stepped up and destroyed Finn Balor to win the NXT Championship, ending his reign at 212 days.
That being said, the match started slow. Both NXT stars eventually grew into the contest.
However, once they got going, it was a visual treat for the fans. Balor and Kross laid each other out with stiff shots, with the latter being particularly brutal.
This was by far his most competitive match in NXT so far. However, Kross was still overwhelmingly strong at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
He always looked likely to defeat Balor, even if the Irishman showed a lot of promise. This was exemplified by a Coup de Grace and pinfall attempt being turned into a Kross Jacket during this NXT Title bout.
Kross eventually had his way with Balor, smashing him with a series of forearms.
He hit the Doomsday Saito Suplex before ending the NXT Title match with a couple of devastating elbows to the back of the neck. And just like that, Karrion Kross is now a two-time NXT Champion.
The one potential downside to this outcome may be the direction Finn Balor may be going in following this defeat at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
He is likely to return to RAW or SmackDown, which is a concerning prospect. Hopefully, Vince McMahon gives the former NXT Champion another chance at the top of the card in WWE.
#4 Best - Kyle O'Reilly and Adam Cole go all out at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver
The main event of NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver was a brutal and epic all-out war between two men who have an immense hatred for each other.
Kyle O'Reilly vs. Adam Cole was spectacular in so many ways. It went on for ages, but the match was not short on major spots.
The primary weapons in this Unsanctioned Match were chairs and the steel chain that both stars utilised in abundance. O'Reilly had the opportunity to suplex Cole onto the steel stairs at one point, but a moment's hesitation cost him.
The former NXT Champion used his complete array of moves, with none of them earning him the three-count. O'Reilly's kick out from the Last Shot was so limp it seemed like an accident. The babyface hit a Last Shot of his own but to no avail.
The match's biggest moment may have come when the former Undisputed Era teammates went through the stage. The end came through a low blow from O'Reilly, who wrapped his right leg with the chain and hit a knee drop through an upside-down chair.
While an excellent match to close out the first-ever two-night NXT TakeOver, this contest did feature some of the brand's worst tropes. Too many kick-outs towards the end may have turned off many viewers and the fight would have been an all-time classic had around 10 minutes been shaved off.
Still, Kyle O'Reilly emerged from this war at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. He needed the win and has become a made man on the black and gold brand now. It was an overwhelmingly net positive.
