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NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night 2 was everything we loved about Night 1 and then some. Once again, the black and gold brand has proven just how consistent its big shows can be by delivering a second night of captivating action.
Night 2 featured some of the most anticipated matches of the entire week. Fans were treated to pure wrestling clinics like Gargano vs. Reed. They witnessed the psychological warfare between Balor and Kross. The audience even laid eyes on the year's premiere grudge match in Cole vs. O'Reilly.
Everyone put on their working boots for this TakeOver. Every superstar on the card put on an admirable performance. It's honestly challenging to find a more complete wrestling show than this.
As with any card, some performers are naturally going to stand out more than their counterparts. Even at an event such as this, where everyone seemingly came out a winner, some stars shine brighter than others. Let's take a look at the 5 NXT Superstars who impressed the most on this night.
#5. Escobar proves he's the true NXT Cruiserweight Champion
Santos Escobar is now NXT's official Cruiserweight Champion. After a hard-fought match against Jordan Devlin, Escobar has proven once again why he's the true ace of the black and gold brand.
The two went back and forth in a classic ladder match. The bout harkened back to the iconic clash between Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels, thanks to the effort of both men involved.
As great as Devlin was in the bout, Santos played his role perfectly. He wore down the Irishman with some devastating offense.
For a match that many figured would play into the duo's high-flying abilities, they surprisingly kept the match contained. The majority of the match was simply the two hitting each other with ladders in the most inventive ways possible.
This type of savage encounter played to Escobar's character strengths. His villainy came through brilliantly. His desperation to be recognized as the undisputed champion was on full display.
Either of these men could've made it onto this list. Escobar gets the nod as he was the one who stood atop the ladder, both belts in hand, at the end. Here's hoping for a prosperous reign for the true NXT Cruiserweight Champion.
#4. Finn Balor fought valiantly for his NXT Championship
NXT Champion Finn Balor lost his title on Night 2 of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, losing the prize to the brand's monster, Karrion Kross.
The defeat will be a turning point for Balor. His reign of dominance has gone unchecked for months now. He's taken down everyone put in front of him. But now, thanks to the brutality of Kross, he's lost the belt that's meant so much to him.
Balor still came out of the match a much more made man, despite how much the loss must sting. The Prince has once again proven why he's one of the best all-around wrestlers in WWE.
Since he was across the ring from Kross, this match was more about psychology than wrestling. The two played off one another to get their characters over.
Finn showcased his ruthless attitude. He didn't back down in fear while in the face of NXT's resident psychopath, and a rematch should definitely be in his future.
#3. Adam Cole becomes NXT's most despicable superstar
NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver saw the culmination of one of the most heated feuds in recent history. Not since Ciampa and Gargano has a rivalry been more bitter than that of Adam Cole and Kyle O'Reilly.
The former Undisputed Era teammates clashed in the main event. The bout was unsanctioned, which meant they could do whatever they wanted to each other.
Cole took O'Reilly to the edge of humanity. His depraved mind seemed to have no bounds. Fans witnessed the former UE leader manhandle his former friend in some of the worst ways imaginable.
Cole focused the bulk of his punishment on Kyle's neck. The reason this match was unsanctioned was due to the fact O'Reilly wasn't kayfabe "cleared to compete." Adam exploited this weakness every chance he got. To further prove just how vile he is, he even obliterated the referee.
Cole ultimately lost the match but proved just how crazy he actually is. The rest of the NXT roster has well and truly been put on notice.
#2. Johnny Gargano showcased why he's called Johnny TakeOver
NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano has officially reminded everyone why he's called Johnny TakeOver. On Stand & Deliver Night 2, Gargano defended his North American title against his biggest challenger yet (literally) in Bronson Reed.
The match was the sleeper hit of the evening. Coming out of nowhere, the two put on what could be argued to be the match of the night. This proves once again that Gargano may be the best TakeOver performer of all time.
It was hard to tell just how this match would go. Reed was coming off the huge Gauntlet Eliminator from Night 1. But this factored very little, as the two told more of a big man vs. little man story.
Gargano made Bronson look like a million bucks. The bout was easily the best in Bronson's NXT career due largely to Gargano's ability to give just as much as he takes. If this is how the Gargano Way puts on matches, Johnny's definitely onto something.
#1. NXT makes a star out of Kyle O'Reilly as he lays his past to rest
NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver officially concluded with Kyle O'Reilly exercising his demons. The former UE member managed to topple his former friend and leader in a brutal Unsanctioned match.
Both Cole and O'Reilly earned spots on this list. It is well deserved as both men put each other through their paces. However, O'Reilly gains the edge over Cole on this list for a few reasons.
Kyle showed up ready for a real fight. The way his strikes landed looked so painful, you could almost feel them through the screen. His shots were so devastating, it looked like he meant to rearrange Cole's face with his foot.
Not only was his offense incredibly believable, but his storytelling was as well. O'Reilly might be the best at selling fans on a match simply through his body language.
It's hard to say where Kyle goes from here. Wherever it is, this match proves he's the best NXT has to offer.
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