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The iconic WWE PPV that started 25 years ago is back but this time under the NXT brand as TakeOver: In Your House. The show brought back some old school vibes with Todd Pettengill hyping the top matches on the show to the classic In Your House set.
Instead of mainly focusing on the old, NXT did what's best as their top Superstars took centre stage as we got some terrific wrestling matches and a crowning of a new NXT Women's Champion in another memorable TakeOver special. So now let's take a look at the top matches and moments from NXT TakeOver: In Your House.
#1 Triple Threat Match for the NXT Women's Championship: Charlotte Flair vs. Io Shirai vs. Rhea Ripley
This is the first Women’s TakeOver main event since Bayley vs. Sasha Banks at NXT TakeOver: Respect in 2015. This was excellent as Charlotte dominated early hitting a neck breaker to Ripley and followed with a Fallaway Slam to Shirai. Shirai fired back nailing Charlotte with a Tiger Feint Kick and followed with a double stomp. Shirai hit a basement dropkick but Charlotte kicked out. The Joshi Judas also hit Ripley with a palm strike for a double down spot.
Charlotte delivered a double spear to both Ripley and Shirai for a pair of near falls. Shirai would then deliver a flying head scissors to Charlotte and continued her offense by hitting Ripley with a beautiful Springboard Dropkick. Shirai delivered a running double knees to The Nightmare. The Joshi Judas' momentum was brought to halt when Charlotte connected with Natural Selection but Shirai kicked out at two. Charlotte placed Shirai in the Figure 8 but Ripley saved the match.
The biggest spot of the match came when Shirai climbed the set and delivered a beautiful flying crossbody onto Charlotte and Ripley. The action moved back into the ring as Ripley delivered a Super RipTide to Charlotte but Shirai broke the count. Shirai charged but Ripley countered by placing her into an inverted Texas Cloverleaf.
Charlotte would save her championship reign by attacking both women with a kendo stick. We thought The Queen was going to retain the title when she had The Nightmare locked inside the Figure 8. However, we were in for an incredible finish as Shirai hit a picture-perfect Moonsault on to Ripley thereby breaking the submission and pinning The Nightmare to secure the win.
This was a brilliant match with some amazing sequences leading to the finish as everyone worked hard. It deserved to close the night and undoubtedly, was the best match of the night.
Charlotte and Ripley are great wrestlers and former champions. It was a truly great moment for Shirai who has been pursuing the title for some time now. Finally, The Joshi Judas can call herself as the NXT Women's Champion.
#2 Karrion Kross (w/Scarlett) vs. Tommaso Ciampa
Karrion Kross' entrance is just awesome as he’s presented a full superstar. Scarlett singing “Fall and Prey” adds so much to Kross’ presentation. The new member of the NXT roster had a tough task on his TakeOver debut as his opponent was The Blackheart, Tommaso Ciampa.
Kross dominated early as he no-sold Ciampa's strikes and then sent him flying with a Doomsday Saito Suplex. Ciampa delivered a running boot but Kross no-sold it as well and started decimating the former NXT Champion.
Ciampa was able to mount some offense and had Kross on the back foot. The Blackheart hit the Willow's Bell and pinned Kross, but the former IMPACT Wrestling star kicked out at two.
Ciampa nailed Kross with a pair of running knee strikes and called for the Fairytale Ending but Kross countered by hitting a modified F5 and applied the Kross Jacket as Ciampa passed out.
Let me first say, Ciampa is an excellent wrestler, a former champion and an established star on NXT. Ciampa is the true professional and I give him full credit for making Kross feel like the next big thing on NXT. This was the perfect length and presentation for this match. It’s clear they have strapped the rocket onto Kross and after what happened on this week's NXT, it seems that he will be the one challenging Adam Cole next.
#3 Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest
The battle between Finn Balor and Damian Priest did not have a huge build compared to the other matches on the NXT TakeOver: In Your House card. Still, the match exceeded expectations and was one of the most entertaining bouts of the night.
The match began at a fast pace as Balor nailed Priest with a Dropkick before the bell rang. Balor went for a Slingblade but Priest countered by planting him on the ring apron. There was a fun exchange as Priest connected with a Cyclone Boot but the former NXT Champion responded with a Pele Kick for a two count.
Priest stopped Balor’s momentum after planting him with a Razor’s Edge onto the ring apron. The Archer of Infamy charged in to continue the offense but Balor countered with a Slingblade.
Balor went for a Dropkick but Priest countered with a pair of Cyclone Boots and called for The Reckoning. But the former NXT Champion countered with a Final Cut and then connected with another Dropkick.
As Balor went for the Coup de Grace, Priest hit a Chokeslam and it seemed that there was more punishment in store for The prince. As The Archer Of Inafmy signaled for a Razor's Edge onto the steel steps, Balor countered it as sent Priest back first on to them instead. This was enough to put Priest away as The Prince nailed the Coup de Grace and picked up the win.
Finn Balor is an established Superstars and was one of the greatest NXT Champions as he helped lead the brand to where it is now. The goal of this match was to elevate Priest to the next level on NXT by having an impressive showing against an established star. That's what the goal of the match was and that's why it's number three on the list as it accomplished that.
#4 NXT Championship Match: Adam Cole vs. Velveteen Dream (Backlot Brawl)
This was the only cinematic match on the show and was the right decision to culminate the feud between NXT's two top Superstars.
Adam Cole arrived at the Backlot brawl in a Monster Truck while Velveteen Dream made his entrance in a Lamborghini. The way the match was shot was very effective as they had cars surrounding the arena with the headlights focused on the ring. This worked as William Regal noted the spotlight will be on both Cole and Dream for the match.
Cole tried to leave early but Dream smashed the car with his bat. Dream slammed Cole onto a windshield of a car.
Dream climbed up a ladder when Bobby Fish and Roderick Strong appeared to distract him and help The Undisputed Era leader. Dream, however, countered and sent Cole through the windshield of a car. This had the Panama City Playboy bleeding from his hand. At this time, Fish and Strong had filled the ring with stack of steel chairs.
Things went from bad to worse for Cole as Dexter Lumis slithered from underneath the ring and placed both Fish and Strong inside the trunk of a car. The Tortured Artist would then ride off with The Undisputed Era members.
This was well done and worked for this match after Lumis teased what's he was going to do when he showed off his masterpiece drawing on NXT leading into the show.
Cole went for a Panama Sunrise but Dream countered with the Dream Valley Driver onto the stack of chairs for a two count. A Purple Rainmaker also couldn't get the job done as Cole kicked out once again
Just as Dream was about to inflict more damage on to Cole, the NXT Champion delivered a low blow to Dream and then followed it up with the Panama Sunrise onto the chairs to secure the pinfall.
This wasn't my favourite cinematic match done by WWE but it worked well to end a feud and to move Cole into his next big program. Cole has been tremendous as NXT Champion and always delivers in big matches.
#5 NXT North American Championship Match: Keith Lee vs. Johnny Gargano
Johnny Gargano has been a changed man since his Final Beat match with Ciampa. The former NXT Champion, along with his wife Candice LeRae, has been planning some major changes on the Black & Gold brand. His first target was the NXT North American Champion, Keith Lee.
The build to the match was great as Gargano gained an advantage over The Limitless One by injuring him last week on NXT.
Keith Lee came out wearing a jacket and trunks that said “Black Lives Matter.” The match started with both Superstars having a great counter exchange. Gargano tried to leave but the door was locked. The psychology of the match was very good as Gargano worked the pace in his favour after targeting Lee's injured arm. Gargano went for his Slingshot Spear but Lee countered with a modified GTR for a near fall.
Lee went for the Big Bang Catastrophe but Gargano countered into an inside cradle for a near fall. Lee hit a Popup Spinebuster but Gargano rolled to the floor. There was a cool spot as Gargano made it back into the ring and then delivered a tope transitioning into a DDT on the floor.
The referee began his 10-count but Gargano broke it up. The big spot of the match came when Gargano left the ring but Lee caught him with a pounce sending him flying through the Plexiglass.
This is where Candice LeRae came out but she was stopped by Mia Yim who was standing behind her. This worked as it continued to play off their six-woman tag team match earlier on in the show. With the referee distracted Gargano poked Lee in the eyes with his car keys. This was excellent as it played off how Gargano and LeRae picked up a win over Lee and Yim in their Mixed-Tag Team match on NXT last week.
Gargano delivered One Final Beat (Slingshot DDT) but Lee kicked out at two. The Rebelheart kept hitting Superkicks but Lee showed the heart of a champion as he refused to stay down.
Gargano mocked Lee who responded by hitting a huge Spirt Bomb. Lee planted Gargano with a second Spirt Bomb and then delivered the Big Bang Catastrophe for the win.
This wasn't your usual high-octane show stellar match at a TakeOver. Instead, they told a story of Lee's injury coming into the match and Gargano trying to use new tactics to win the NXT North American Title. A great showing by both Lee and Gargano once again.
