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NXT TakeOver: Phoenix took place on January 26, 2019, and started at 7 PM on the WWE Network (with the kickoff show starting at 6 PM). This edition of NXT TakeOver featured five huge matches involving some of WWE's top Superstars.
The match card featured Kassius Ohno vs Matt Riddle, NXT Tag Team Champions Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong of Undisputed Era vs The War Raiders for the NXT Tag Team Championships, NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler vs the un-de-fea-ted Bianca Belair for the NXT Women's Championship, NXT North American Champion Ricochet vs Johnny Gargano for the NXT North American Championship, and NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa vs Aleister Black for the NXT Championship.
#1 NXT Tag Team Championships: Undisputed Era (c.) vs the War Raiders
Result: The War Raiders defeated the Undisputed Era to win the NXT Tag Team Championships via pinfall when Rowe pinned Kyle O'Reilly after the War Raiders hit the Fallout.
Grade: A
Analysis: An NXT Tag Team Championship match is always a great way to kick off the show as proven by the many classics last year including Undisputed Era vs Authors of Pain, Undisputed Era vs Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch, and Undisputed Era vs Moustache Mountain. This tradition was continued with an excellent match that makes it frustrating that the main roster's tag team division is such a mess.
This match started off hot from the beginning with Undisputed Era immediately attacking the War Raiders. The War Raiders then used their power to stop any attempt Undisputed Era had of a comeback before Roderick Strong & Kyle O'Reilly used their craftiness to take control of the match. The Undisputed Era then used classic heel techniques to remain in control before Hanson showed amazing agility and power when he received the hot tag.
This match then continued to be a back and forth affair. It seemed like the War Raiders got the win when they received near falls from both the Pop-Up Powerslam and a Diving Splash from Hanson. Undisputed Era also got some near falls including a Superplex/Diving Knee combo and their High/Low finishing move that wins them almost every match.
The War Raiders would eventually get the much-deserved victory and now the tag team division can go in a fresh direction including dream matches between the War Raiders and Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel and Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch along with matches involving the Street Profits.
#2 Kassius Ohno vs Matt Riddle
Result: Matt Riddle defeated Kassius Ohno via submission with the Bro-mission.
Grade: A-
Analysis: Out of the three matches that these superstars have had with each other, this was the best one. This match had a great story as Kassius Ohno was determined to prove that he is more than just NXT's gatekeeper while Matt Riddle was desperate to get revenge on Ohno after that dastardly attack.
Ohno hit moves that we normally don't see from him including a Diving Moonsault. It was also unique that he went after the feet of Riddle because the King of Bros wears no protection on his feet. Matt Riddle's aggression also shined throughout the match as he showed that he is more than just a fun-loving face.
Now that Riddle has ended his feud with Kassius Ohno, he can move on to another superstar like Bobby Fish. Meanwhile, Kassius Ohno can put over Keith Lee before hopefully finally moving on to the main roster.
#3 NXT North American Championship: Ricochet (c.) vs Johnny Gargano
Result: Johnny Gargano defeated Ricochet via pinfall with a slingshot DDT.
Grade: A+
Analysis: This was an amazing match. This match was one of the most heavily anticipated bouts of all of Royal Rumble weekend and it most certainly justified the hype that it received. The match started off with an amazing technical wrestling showcase from both men. Johnny Gargano would then take control before Ricochet made his always incredible comeback.
Some incredible counters included Ricochet countering the Super Hurricanrana by landing on his feet, Gargano countering a somersault into a powerbomb, Ricochet countering the Slingshot DDT by throwing Gargano to the floor, and Johnny Gargano countering a fireman's carry into a reverse hurricanrana on the floor.
There were also some incredible near falls including the first slingshot DDT from Johnny Gargano and Ricochet's springboard 450 splash. It looked like Gargano's old self made a return when he elected to not hit Ricochet with a DDT on the concrete but he later would go back to his current evil self when he hit Ricochet with a brainbuster on the concrete floor.
It was surprising to see Ricochet lose the title as he has not done much with his reign but Gargano also has the potential to be a great champion. However, it would not be surprising to see Ricochet win the title back. This was the match that the title needed to make it look like a truly prestigious championship.
#4 NXT Women's Championship: Shayna Baszler (c.) vs Bianca Belair
Result: Shayna Baszler defeated Bianca Belair via knockout when Bianca Belair passed out while in the Kirafuda Clutch.
Grade: A-
Analysis: This was a career-defining performance from Bianca Belair. It looked like Shayna Baszler had the EST of NXT flustered at the beginning of the match as the Queen of Spades was in control for most of the beginning of the match.
Belair then regained her confidence and made a comeback that included an impressive spear for a nearfall. Baszler then went for the arm which she had worked on throughout the entire match but Bianca Belair was able to get out of it.
Shayna Baszler then regained control before Bianca Belair hit Shayna with her signature hair strike out of nowhere. The referee then got knocked down right before Belair hit her K.O.D finishing move. After some interference from Marina Shafir & Jessamyn Duke, Baszler would then lock in the Kirafuda Clutch and everybody thought it was over.
However, Bianca Belair shockingly managed to fight out of it and completely break Shayna's grip. After more interference from Shafir & Duke, Baszler managed to lock in the Kirafuda Clutch again and after an incredible fight, Belair passed out.
While this was not an incredible technical display, it was still a star-making performance for Bianca Belair. This feud is definitely not over and the EST of NXT will one day be NXT Women's Champion.
#5 NXT Championship: Tommaso Ciampa (c.) vs Aleister Black
Result: Tommaso Ciampa defeated Aleister Black via pinfall with the Fairy Tale Ending. Johnny Gargano then stared Ciampa down as the show went to a close.
Grade: A
Analysis: This was a great psychological wrestling match. Tommaso Ciampa was the smart champion who knew that in order to neutralize Black Mass, he needed to go after the leg of Aleister Black (surprisingly none of Aleister Black's previous opponents have thought to do that).
While Ciampa was the shrewd heel, Black was the valiant face who was willing to fight through his injuries. Aleister Black's kicks were less effective due to the damage done to his legs but it did not stop him. However, the damage to the leg limited the effectiveness of several of his moves including the single leg Boston crab and the Black Mass.
Aleister Black also hit several high-flying moves including a Tope Con Hilo and a Moonsault Plancha. The Dutch Destroyer also kicked out of Tommaso Ciampa's finishing moves several times and fought until the very end.
If that was Aleister Black's last match in NXT, he truly went out in a blaze of glory. The faceoff at the end was interesting and it hinted at the fact that not everything is truly all good between Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa.
