PWP Nation’s Editor-in-Chief Caden Moran details five things we learned from NXT TakeOver: New York
Last night was NXT TakeOver: New York, and from top to bottom, it may go down as the best TakeOver in history. Every match on the card has its own unique story that led to great in-ring action and story telling.
We saw the culmination of a two-year long story, an end of an era, and an emotional goodbye among other highlights. With NXT entering a new era, we learned five things from last nights incredible event.
#5 – Ricochet & Aleister Black will always be NXT at heart
The opening match to NXT TakeOver: New York was an absolute classic. The NXT Tag Team Championship match between War Raiders and Aleister Black & Ricochet had a predictable outcome, but the in-ring action and story telling made up for it.
Black and Ricochet failed in their quest to claim the gold from Rowe & Hanson. After the match was over, the moment shifted from War Raiders celebrating to an emotional farewell for the challenging duo. The champions showed their respect for the long-term NXT guys before giving the ring to them to soak in the moment.
Ricochet’s emotion in his eyes told the entire story. He would miss NXT and NXT is going to miss him. It was a tearjerking moment for the fans, including myself. Both men made their mark for the black and gold brand over the years. The team is set to challenge for the Smackdown Tag Team Championships tomorrow night at Wrestlemania. However, even with bigger things on the horizon for Black and Ricochet, both men will always be an NXT guy at heart.
Last night showed us exactly that.
#4 – Matt Riddle won’t be in NXT for long
Matt Riddle suffered his first defeat in NXT last night against the North American Champion Velveteen Dream. It was an electric match that showcased Riddle’s talent and potential. The champion managed to escape with the gold still in tact. Following the match, Dream and Riddle shared a moment of respect following a “bro bump”.
To me, it was an odd interaction that may have signaled more than what was made known. It could be that Matt Riddle may not be in NXT for long. We could be seeing a sort of EC3 NXT experience as he was around for a couple months, lost to Dream at a TakeOver event, and moved on to the main roster.
Matt Riddle could benefit from spending a few more months in WWE’s developmental brand, but if last night was any indication, I wouldn’t expect “The Original Bro” to be in NXT for that long.
#3 – Pete Dunne’s time in NXT UK is coming to an end
We saw an era come to an end last night. Pete Dunne took on WALTER for the WWE United Kingdom Championship. Dunne put his 685 day reign on the line against his toughest challenge to date, and he failed to keep the reign going.
“The Bruiserweight” made his mark for the United Kingdom and NXT UK over the past two years. However, all good things must come to an end. Pete Dunne’s run atop the UK has come to an end, and his time in NXT UK may be coming to an end as well.
There is nothing left for Dunne to do for the UK division in WWE. He has helped build and establish credibility within the brand and for the United Kingdom title. It is time for a new era to begin, as WALTER is sure to establish. For Dunne, he is young and has a bright future. I would expect him to be making his way to WWE’s main roster in the near future.
#2 – They made the wrong call
Last night, Shayna Baszler retained the NXT Women’s Championship against Bianca Belair, Io Shirai and Kairi Sane. In a surprising turn of events, it was Belair who submitted in the ring to solidify the win for Baszler.
I fully expected Bianca Belair to walk out of New York the new NXT Women’s Champion. Never did I think that she would be the one to tap out and lose the match. In my opinion, they made the wrong call with this decision.
I’m perfectly fine with Shayna Baszler remaining on top of the NXT women’s division, but to have Belair be the one to tap out is mind boggling to me. Sane should have been the one to take the fall due to the fact that she has had her run atop the division before, and Belair and Shirai should be protected.
I don’t understand the decision, but hopefully they make up for it in the future.
#1 – A perfect long-term story comes to an end
Finally. Johnny Gargano is the NXT Champion.
For years, a story has been told that has led up to NXT TakeOver: New York. Even though Gargano didn’t dethrone the other focal point of the long-term story in Tommaso Ciampa, Gargano still delivered on his promise in an amazing match.
In a 2-out-of-3 falls match with Adam Cole, the match leading up the the third and final fall had everyone on the edge of their seats. It was a nail biter and an emotional story being told in the match from both men. However, in the end, “Johnny Wrestling” was the one to claim the vacant NXT title.
The celebration was more than deserved for the man who has endured so much over the last two years. It was an amazing long-term story that concluded with the right man standing on top. It might not have been completely satisfying due to the absence of Ciampa, but it was still a goosebumps inducing moment.
The embrace between Gargano, Candice LeRae and Ciampa at the end of the broadcast was a truly emotional moment. All is right with the world.
NXT TakeOver: New York was a phenomenal show from start to finish. Wrestlemania has a lot to live up to. Regardless of what happens tomorrow night, we can all look back on last night and appreciate everything we were given.
For more exclusive content, follow us on Twitter @PWPNation
