Best WWE and NXT matches of each year of the decade - Part II

2017 - Tyler Bate vs Pete Dunne - NXT Takeover: Chicago

Tyler Bate vs Pete Dunne - NXT Takeover: Chicago

I may sound biased here as a Brit, but this was the moment British Wrestling became truly appreciated on a worldwide scale.

Earlier in 2017, WWE held their first ever UK Championship Tournament to much acclaim. That weekend, then 19-year old Tyler Bate shocked the world by beating the favorite Pete Dunne to become the first ever champion. It was a defeat that didn't sit well with 'The Bruiserweight' Dunne, and he would soon find his way back into title contention just a few short months later.

Given the fact that an NXT Takeover event was chosen as the scene for this rematch, it showed how much faith the company had both in the pair and the division as a whole.

The match encapsulated everything UK Wrestling has been known for over the years: technical wizardry, hard-hitting action, and top-notch storytelling. It was a damn near perfect exhibition of what Brits are capable of.

It felt extra special with the addition of the legendary Jim Ross on commentary. Pairing him with Nigel McGuinness felt like a sort of passing the torch moment on the booth, and to me, it remains the last great match of commentary he has done in his career.

This was a great match that gave a great showcase for two of the sport's future top stars, who had just a combined age of 43 at the time of this show.