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NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021 gave an opportunity to several talents from the black and gold brand to stand out on the evening. With five titles up for grabs, including the return of an iconic championship, it was an interesting card with a few superstars making their TakeOver debuts.
The card was not the most enticing heading into the event with the brand in a transition period after moving to Tuesday nights. Since their move from Wednesday, WWE NXT has delivered consistent quality with their main events, usually good to great. This set up NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021 to exceed lower than usual expectations.
With a five-match lineup, the superstars looked to deliver in a big way and show their worth on this huge stage. In this article, let's take a look at the top five performers from NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021.
#5 Bronson Reed & MSK (NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021)
The Winner Takes All Six Man Tag Team Match brought plenty of excitement to kick off NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021. Legado Del Fantasma has made their presence known at these events over the past year, with Santos Escobar's dominant run as Cruiserweight Champion serving as a highlight for NXT pay-per-views. This time, he was joined by Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza..
But this was Bronson Reed and MSK's night to shine. The babyface trio came out in matching attire and seemed to really enjoy the chance to team up with one another. Bronson Reed has been a revelation over the past few months after overcoming Johnny Gargano for the North American Championship.
Bronson shines on the main stage and uses his surprising athleticism to really grip the viewers. Reed also used his size in a massive way, wiping out Santos Escobar towards the end of this NXT TakeOver: In Your House opening bout. He also showed tremendous chemistry with his teammates throughout this contest.
MSK brought their usual stunning offensive displays. Their teamwork is always seamless and truly shows that they are a well oiled machine. Not only did they show off great double team moves, but also worked well with Reed on the triple-team offense, including the finish with their double team blockbuster into the Tsunami. This trio were so much fun here at NXT TakeOver: In Your House.
#4 Ember Moon (NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021)
The NXT Women's Championship Match at NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021 could be criticized for being predictable. Raquel González has been a dominant force on the brand. Having just won gold at Stand and Deliver in April, it wasn't likely that she would drop the title on this show. However, this bout was not without good action throughout.
Although Raquel played her role well and got the victory, Ember Moon proved herself as a workhorse once again. The former NXT Women's Champion was in her first singles TakeOver contest since her return and did not disappoint. She brought a ton of energy to this NXT TakeOver: In Your House encounter and sold wonderfully for the champion.
Her offense was crisp and impactful, including a huge Tornado DDT from the top rope onto the entrance ramp. Her Eclipse finish almost gained her the victory, but Dakota Kai got involved, placing the champ's foot on the rope. This led to the return of Ember's partner, Shotzi Blackheart. She neutralized Kai and fought with her to the back.
This allowed the final minutes to be one-on-one and led to a really good finish where González had a very cool variation of her choke bomb for the win. Raquel looked great, but that was down to an expert performance from Ember Moon. She has truly shown herself to be one of the very best wrestlers in the stacked NXT women's division and proved that again at NXT TakeOver: In Your House.
#3 Cameron Grimes (NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021)
Heading into NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021, one of the better buildups was the Million Dollar Championship Ladder Match between Cameron Grimes and LA Knight. The two superstars have been feuding for weeks over the affection and legacy of Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase. This contest would determine who would gain that and the coveted Million Dollar Championship.
The encounter proved to be smartly worked, albeit an average ladder match with the unique use of the tools around them, but Cameron Grimes showed himself to be a star on the rise. The reception for his entrance was loud with the CWC crowd chanting along with his "To The Moon" catchphrase in his theme song. Throughout this ladder match, they were decisively in his corner.
His effort in this battle was terrific. Grimes showed innovative use of ladders and showed his ability to put his body on the line for the win. His dive off the top of the scaffolding was dangerous yet thrilling. He would not be denied here at NXT TakeOver: In Your House.
Just when Cameron Grimes was on the cusp of victory, LA Knight pushed the golden ladder over and caused his opponent to go back first into a ladder bridge. This sick bump was awesome and gave this match a fitting end before Knight climbed the ladder to retrieve the Million Dollar Championship. The CWC fans at NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021 were not pleased with this result.
Despite not taking the win in this ladder match, Cameron Grimes put on a show and displayed his willingness to put on a star-making performance. It would not be surprising if he eventually does claim the Million Dollar Championship or other gold on the brand. Grimes raised his stock to the moon at NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021.
#2 Pete Dunne (NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021)
The main event of NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021 was by far the best match of the evening. The Fatal Five Way was filled with the best of the best that the brand had to offer. On this night, Pete Dunne showed all his superb abilities in various ways throughout the closing match.
Dunne looked absolutely magnificent in his all white attire and white fur entrance jacket. This made him stand out immediately during this NXT TakeOver: In Your House main event. At the bell, he came in hot on his opposition. He used fierce strikes before going into his array of joint manipulation.
The former NXT UK Champion grounded both Kyle O'Reilly and Johnny Gargano before bending their arms and fingers back. When Karrion Kross looked to lock him in his Kross Jacket choke, Dunne did not hesitate to snap the fingers of the champion.
Dunne showed no fear of the dominant champ even challenging him to face him in the middle of the ring at one point in the NXT TakeOver: In Your House main event. He even got the better of Kross, laying him out with his Bitter End finisher and looking to get the win before Cole broke up the pin. This was another showcase of why Pete Dunne is a future NXT Champion.
#1 Karrion Kross (NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021)
Coming into NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021, Karrion Kross wanted to prove himself as NXT Champion against the top superstars of the brand. He challenged his four opponents to this Fatal Five Way in a reversal of the norm. With the best pound-for-pound performers gunning for him, this would be a huge opportunity for Kross to show how dominant he could be.
At every turn of this NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021, Karrion Kross got the better of each and every man in this Fatal Five Way. Using a surplus of suplexes and hard-hitting strikes, it looked as if no one could touch Kross on this night. It took all the competitors working together to take the champion out of this contest.
Every time it looked like Kross was down for the count, he would return to once again dominate this NXT TakeOver: In Your House main event. There were occasions when Adam Cole, Johnny Gargano, Kyle O'Reilly and Pete Dunne got some offense on the champ, but it always seemed to be short lived.
When it looked like Karrion would not even be involved in the finish with O'Reilly locking Cole in a double knee bar, Kross rose from the dead and put Kyle in his Kross Jacket choke for the referee stoppage win. This was a performance that Kross needed here. Although the CWC crowd did not seem to be too fond of the champ, there's no denying NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021 was his night.
