Sportskeeda WWE Awards 2017: Match of the Year

#4 Velveteen Dream vs. Aleister Black at NXT Takeover: War Games

Welcome to infamy.

In a similar way to the previous match, the meeting between NXT's Velveteen Dream and Aleister Black makes this list because they dared to do things a little differently. The action inside the ropes was by no means under-par, but it was the psychology and implementation of sub-text that made this one of the best matches of the year.

Velveteen Dream, as a character, might still have a long way to go before it wins over the masses, but what this feud has shown us is that given the right opponent, it can work wonders. In many ways, this match was a throwback to the early days of Goldust, when he faced Razor Ramon for the Intercontinental Championship back in 96.

The contrast of the sexually-ambiguous, over-the-top exhibitionist versus somebody who personifies manliness and ruthlessness had us on our seats from start to finish. And what made everything work so well was that other than trying to win the match, Dream also had a secondary motive - to force Black to 'say his name'.

This was effective at bringing the crowd into proceedings, with chants of 'say his name' echoing around the arena. With so much going on, it's easy to forget that the two men are actually very skilful wrestlers in their own right, able to put on a decent match with even the blandest of gimmicks.

NXT has had a steady comeback year in 2017, but one of the standout moments has to be this little gem that is sure to live on in people's memories for some time to come.