'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
NXT managed to put on an impressive card for Night One of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. From the opening match to the main event, every moment felt important in the grander scheme of things.
Each match was riddled with drama, hardships, and brutality. Fans got to see a bit of everything from in-ring prowess to bone-snapping offense. It felt like this card had something for everyone.
The dust has now settled and let's take the opportunity to evaluate these matches based on their quality.
As wrestling fans, what better way to do that than good old-fashioned star ratings? So, let's run down the card and see how each match delivered.
#5 Kushida vs. Pete Dunne in an NXT TakeOver opening bout
Kushida vs. Pete Dunne on an NXT TakeOver card instantly comes across as a dream match. While these two appear to be cut from the same cloth, they're different enough to create an interesting dynamic inside the ring.
Unfortunately, this match was hampered by the lack of build. This was seen solely as an exhibition match. Despite this, the bout still had its moments.
From the bell, these two went at it. It seemed like the pair didn't even take a second to breathe.
The momentum kept swinging back and forth like a pendulum and no one seemed to have the upper hand. Beth Phoenix described it best when she referred to the bout as a "tennis match."
The two battled this out by trading quick submissions, landing stiff strikes, and manipulating joints until bones cracked.
Kushida proved once again why he's the most underrated member of the NXT roster. The Japanese star locked Dunne in the Hoverboard Lock on the top rope and suplexed him on to the mat. This was the highlight moment of the match.
The finish came after Dunne managed to weasel his way out of Kushida's submission. The Bruiserweight then snapped his opponent's fingers and put him away at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver with the Bitter End.
While this was a technical masterpiece, the lack of build was a bit evident. If we get a second match between the two, there is a chance that it could be an instant classic on NXT.
Star Rating: 3.75/5
#4 A wild Gauntlet Eliminator for a shot at the NXT North American title
Six NXT superstars battled it out in a chaotic match for a shot at Johnny Gargano's North American title on TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night One. The Gauntlet Eliminator was fast from the get-go.
There was plenty of action to go around. We were also treated to bits of storytelling gems that progressed and developed multiple performers.
In the same vein as other outlandish stipulations, this could be referred to as a "popcorn" match. It's fun to watch, but sometimes the story isn't so satisfying.
That was the main issue with this one. It felt like the match fell short in building up performers like LA Knight and Leon Ruff.
The match did provide a few moments of brilliance. It showcased Isaiah "Swerve" Scott and eventual winner Bronson Reed as upcoming stars on NXT. It also had playful spots, such as Reed suplexing two people at once.
Star Rating: 3/5
#3 WALTER and Ciampa steal the show at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night One
This one was brutal to watch. NXT UK Champion WALTER clashed against Tommaso Ciampa in an all-out war for the title. Many feel that this could be the best match of the WrestleMania week.
The tale of Ciampa finding his killer edge was told brilliantly throughout. The former NXT Champion visibly became more brutal as the match went on. It felt like watching Ciampa from 2018 again.
WALTER smashed his massive right hand through the announce table earlier in the match. This rendered most of his hard-hitting offense and deadly submissions useless.
It was a strange yet intriguing dynamic to see The Ring General in such a vulnerable position. It showcased both his desperation to hold onto his title and the ruthless side of Ciampa that fans haven't seen in a while.
In the end, WALTER did just enough to retain his title and win this one. We would like to see a rematch between these two very soon.
Star Rating: 4.5/5
#2 NXT crowns new Tag Team Champions and revives the division
On NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night One, fans saw new Tag Team Champions being crowned.
Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch vacated the belts after the latter separated his shoulder on NXT a few weeks ago.
NXT GM William Regal instituted a triple threat match between MSK, Grizzled Young Veterans, and Legado del Fantasma to resolve the issue of who will be the next champions. In the end, Wes Lee and Nash Carter would come out victorious.
The action was what you would expect to see from these three teams. MSK and LdF wowed the crowd with high-flying moves. GYV played their cards perfectly as well throughout the bout.
As fun as this match was, it felt unnecessary at times. The real rivalry has always been between MSK and GYV. It felt like Fantasma was thrown in as nothing more than a red herring to throw fans off.
Still, this was a pretty well-executed triple threat match. These three teams can definitely take NXT's tag team division back to its glory days.
Star Rating: 3.5/5
#1 A star is born in the fight for the NXT Women's Championship
NXT saw their Women's title change hands in a barnburner of a match. Raquel Gonzalez and Io Shirai put on a bout worthy of the main event slot. It was all capped off with Gonzalez dethroning Shirai and becoming the new Women's Champion.
This was a match of two tales. The majority of the match was like a game of cat and mouse.
Io tried to use her quick feet to stick and poke Raquel. On the other hand, Gonzalez displayed great strength with innovative power moves whenever she got Shirai in her grasp.
The Joshi Judas is the daredevil of NXT. Once again, she found something big to jump off. She hit Gonzalez with a crossbody from the top of the skull set design. It was easily the highlight of the night.
In the end, Io Shirai put Gonzalez over. This cemented her as the next star of the NXT Women's division.
Shirai could be on the move and make her debut on either RAW or SmackDown after WrestleMania 37.
Star Rating: 4/5
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
