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NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night 2 had all the intrigue and drama of Night 1, and then some. The superstars of the black and gold brand put on a stellar show for the second night in a row. This proves once again that TakeOver is one of the most consistent wrestling events on the planet.
A wrestling card is only as good as its matches, and this show had the most diverse and unique in the history of TakeOver. Each bout offered something different for fans as NXT managed to wow everyone.
The night saw plenty of action as all five matches truly stood on their own two feet. Gargano and Reed put on a great big man-little man bout. Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon managed to retain their tag titles. The night was then capped off with the grudge match of the year.
How do we measure the quality of any of these matches? Well, with the star ratings.
#5. A classic ladder match with a modern flare at NXT TakeOver
Santos Escobar and Jordan Devlin fought for the true Cruiserweight Championship on Night 2 of Stand & Deliver. The match was filled with fantastic action. It felt as if we were watching ladder matches of the old days.
The bout featured plenty of hard-hitting moments, and there was hardly anything pretty about the first half. It was simply the two men hitting each other with ladders.
This was honestly the most perplexing facet of the clash. Everyone assumed these two high-flyers would go in all guns blazing. Instead, the two told a story of substance over style.
That doesn't mean there were no spectacular spots. Devlin managed to smash Escobar with a Moonsault from the top of a ladder. Then the two NXT stars flew off a dual set of ladders while Devlin hit Escobar with a Spanish Fly.
Both Escobar and Devlin showed amazing restraint when busting out high-flying moves, showing how storytelling can be present even in a chaotic match stipulation. In the end, Escobar came out the true NXT Cruiserweight champ.
Star Rating: 4/5
#4. Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart vs The Way for the NXT Women's Tag Titles
Some NXT matches have more heat behind them than others. The Women's Tag Title clash didn't feel like that. It felt like a bout thrown together to get the belts onto the card.
Despite this, both teams put up a commendable show. For the tiny build-up the match was given leading up to the show, all four ladies put on a spectacle that was worth investing in.
Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae are really coming together as a team. It's normal to see them regulated to bits-and-pieces players in Johnny Garano's stories. This match proved that they could easily manage on their own.
This match shone the most when Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon were on top. The chemistry between them is off the charts. Between this match and their previous bout against Kai and Gonzalez, the team has put the new NXT tag titles over in a major way.
Star Rating: 3.5
#3. Johnny TakeOver returned to form against Bronson Reed in an NXT title bout
NXT's Bronson Reed attempted to take the North American title off Johnny Gargano following his valiant performance in the Gauntlet Eliminator on Night 1. Reed fell short on Night 2, but came out looking like a major star.
Gargano had to do everything in his power to put away an already weak Reed. The match's story became Johnny targeting Reed's injured midsection after ramming him on the corner of the announce table.
It took a lot to put Bronson down. That Reed took two One Final Beats showed just how much of a struggle it was to put him away.
The match also proved why Gargano is the best TakeOver performer in NXT. Johnny managed to somehow put his opponent over in the best way possible while ensuring his character and fight came across brilliantly.
Star Rating: 4.25/5
#2. NXT braces for the second coming of Kross
The Prince is dethroned; a monster now rules NXT. Karrion Kross slayed Finn Balor in a bout that saw him reclaim the title he never lost. Along with Lady Scarlett, Kross is back atop the black and gold brand once again.
This match was more about the story than action. Fans speculated over what would happen when these two squared off. The answer being psychological warfare between two of the strongest characters in NXT.
The first part of the match showed Balor trying to get in the head of Kross. This played in Finn's favor as Kross eventually reinjured his shoulder in a moment of blind rage.
The second part of the match was that of Karrion not wanting to stay down. No matter what Balor did, Kross would get right back up angrier than ever. It was like watching a slasher movie where the killer wouldn't die. This resiliency paid off as he reclaimed his NXT title.
Star Rating: 3.5/5
#1. NXT's premiere blood feud comes to a head
NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night 2 ended with the match of the night as Adam Cole took on his former friend Kyle O'Reilly. The bitter rivalry between the two superstars came to a head in a violent collision.
Things started with some brawling on the outside. Slowly, as the match progressed, the wince-inducing moments began to creep in.
This bout showcased plenty of insane spots. One saw Cole drive O'Reilly through the entrance ramp while locked in a guillotine choke. Even the match's final move was hard to watch. Kyle leapt off the top rope to land his chain-wrapped knee on Cole’s neck, who lay helpless on an upside-down chair. Cole's body convulsed violently before going limp, and KOR completed the 3-count.
As crazy as the action was, the story of Kyle overcoming his demons came across even better. Who knows where these NXT stars will go next? But whatever happens, they finally lay the past to rest.
Star Rating: 4.5/5
