Rating Each Match From NXT Takeover: New York, Worst To Best

Before we get things started on this list, I'd like to say, nothing on this card even came close to bad, so worse in this case is still incredibly amazing, but this is still the way we have to do it.

Without question, Takeover: New York was the greatest Takeover in history, given that all 5 matches had gold on the line, and all 5 delivered beyond the wildest expectations, and today, we are going to try and rank all of these matches after the historic show.

John Oliver has been in the news a lot recently in the wrestling world for his expose and attack on the WWE and the welfare of its performers, but following the emotional embrace of Candice LeRae, Tomasso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano, one statement he said rings true: "wrestling is better than the things you like".

#5 Shayna Baszler def. Io Shirai, Bianca Belair & Kairi Sane via Submission

Fatal Four Way action

Going into this stacked show, this was the most unpredictable match, with all 4 women potential winners, but in the end, despite the underlying stories told throughout, it was the reigning Champ Baszler who came out on top.

Belair was a star throughout, and she will no doubt be the Champion one day, but it's just too early, and then you had the story of the two best friends Shirai and Sane fighting over the richest prize in NXT, but at the end of the day, the opportunistic Baszler took her chance and kept her reign intact.

Because of the finish of this show and just how emotionally draining it was, a lot of people may overlook this one, but that would be a mistake, because even though we've got it at #5 on our list, it was still an incredible showdown. We've now got to look to the future to see who can take the title from Baszler, but for now, she adds yet another amazing title defense to her growing list.

#4 Velveteen Dream def. Matt Riddle to retain the NXT North American Championship

Dream vs Riddle

A lot of people expected this match (myself included) to steal the show at the Barclays Centre, despite just how stacked the card was, and while it delivered, it just couldn't quite match the drama of the next three title matches.

No matter what your expectations were going into this one, few could have seen the Original Bro's undefeated streak coming to an end, but with his craftiness, the Dream was able to make that happen.

Throughout, Riddle proved that he's the better wrestler, and is going to be a big part of NXT going forward, but the Velveteen Dream just has that 'it factor', and no matter what Matt threw at him, he managed to stay alive in the bout.

Both men are going to go on to do incredible things in the WWE, but on this night, they were both on their A game, and added yet another unique contest to an incredibly gripping show.

#3 Walter def. Pete Dunne to become NXT United Kingdom Champion

WALTER is the new champion

This was the final bout added to the Takeover card, and despite the fact that we have it at #3 on our list, it could be anywhere from #1-4 based on personal preference, and while I loved it, it didn't top the next 2 matches for me.

The story was set right from the start: "Pete Dunne historically doesn't do well against big guys", and while he gave it a hell of a ride, the overwhelming physicality of The Ring General wore the Bruiserweight down enough to end his 685 day reign at the top.

While most expected it, NXT and Dunne himself did the best to make us believe his historic reign was going to continue, but at the end of the day, a top rope splash from a man the size of Walter is going to end even the best of men.

#2 War Raiders def. Aleister Black & Ricochet to remain NXT Tag Team Champions

The competitors embrace

As it has done for the previous several Takeover events, the Tag Team Championship match kicked off the show, and despite the slow start, this one became an absolute classic. It's sometimes tough to book face vs. face matches, but through incredible physicality and some great storytelling, these 4 men got the crowd hot to begin the show, and they never really stopped.

The match featured the very best of all 4 men, and given that War Raiders just went toe-to-toe with main roster superstars and come out on top, that elevates their star even more.

The end of the match was fantastic, and post-match there was a big show of respect from all 4 men, followed by a farewell to Ricochet and Black that made The One and Only tear up, and you can see why.

#1 Johnny Gargano def. Adam Cole 2-1 to win the vacant NXT Championship

Gargano finally wins

While a lot of people online have already criticised this match for the overbooking/superman booking of Johnny Gargano at the end and the finisher spam, and while that's fair enough, this match showcased the very best of professional wrestling. Johnny was on a four year quest to reach the top of the mountain in NXT, and with the perfect good vs. evil storytelling, the fans quickly became invested in the bout as it went to 1-1 between the two men.

After some back and forth, the other 3 members of Undisputed Era arrived, and that's when the match truly kicked into high gear. Gargano withstood it all and came out on top to finally become NXT's first Triple Crown winner, and with an emotional embrace of his wife and best friend Ciampa on the stage, this solidified Gargano as the greatest performer to ever wrestle on the black and gold brand.