Csonka’s NXT Takeover: Back to Brooklyn Review 8.20.16

Csonka’s NXT Takeover: Back to Brooklyn Review 8.20.16

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Austin Aries defeated No Way Jose @ 10:43 via submission [***½]
– Ember Moon defeated Billie Kay @ 4:35 via pin [**]
– Bobby Roode defeated Andrade “Cien” Almas @ 10:21 via pin [***]
– NXT Tag Team Title Match: Champions The Revival defeated Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa @ 19:15 via pin [****¾]
– NXT Women’s Title Match: Champion Asuka defeated Bayley @ 12:40 via pin [****]
– NXT Title Match: Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Champion Samoa Joe @ 21:10 via pin [***½]

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– We got a great video package to kick off the show, focusing on the events of last year and working into this year’s sequel.

– Corey Graves and Tom Phillips are on commentary.

Austin Aries vs. No Way Jose: Jose’s entrance included leading a conga line of fans around the ring. Jose was out for revenge right away; Aries was able to avoid him for a bit for Jose quickly took it to the floor. Jose showed good aggression early, but Aries stunned him off the ropes and took the heat. Aries hit an elbow off the second rope and then grounded Jose with a chinlock. Jose would get his hope spots and fire up, but Aries kept cutting him off. Jose sent him to the floor, and when Aries got onto the apron he slammed him to the buckles repeatedly and then brought him back in to continue the attack. Aries grabbed the ropes out of desperation, but then hit the Flair knee breaker into a backdrop suplex and then transitioned into the last chancery. Jose made the ropes and the crowd is really into this. They traded strikes, Aries dropped the elbow pad but Jose snatched him up for a KO that got a near fall. Aries fought off the half nelson slam and sent Jose to the floor and then wiped him out with the heat-seeking missile. Shotgun dropkick by Aries, the brainbuster was countered by Jose into a falcon arrow (HE DID THE DEAL) for a near fall. Rolling elbow by Aries, but Jose rebounded with a lariat! Aries fought off the half nelson and hit a crucifix bomb. Shotgun dropkick connects again for a near fall. Aries up top, cut off and Jose followed him and delivered rights. Aries scored with a sunset flip bomb into the last chancery and Jose had to tap. That was a really great opener, with both guys looking great and a hot crowd. Aries really felt like the Aries of old, and Jose more than held up his end of things showing some great aggression; the match was also laid out very well. This was surprisingly great.

– Post match Aries beat down Jose and locked in the last chancery once again, but Hideo Itami arrived in his suit to make the save. Aries attacked, but Itami lit him up with strikes and kicks. He hit the GTS and laid out Aries to a huge reaction.

Billie Kay vs. Ember Moon: Both ladies have great entrances. Kay took advantage early, landing some big strikes and kicks, but Moon came back with a high cross for a near fall. Kay then hit eat defeat for a near fall. Kay lost Moon on a back breaker/Guerrero special spot, but recovered well. Kay slammed her to the mat and went for repeated covers, getting frustrated. Moon battled back and they traded forearms, and then Moon pt some offense together and hit a neck breaker into the suplex combo. After the corner splash, Moon hit the O Face (bad moon rising?) for the win. They had a couple of rough spots, but overall Moon came off very well here. I still think that she would have benefited more from a more traditional squash where she showcases her stuff and gets in and out without having to go back and forth, but she looked good. Moon’s a great talent, and I was excited when they signed her and can’t wait to see her on the regular going forward.

– Roode gets a God like reaction as he enters on an elevated platform. The crowd is singing along with his music as well; dude is being treated like a superstar. Almas got about no reaction as the crowd chanted, “This is Glorious!”

Bobby Roode vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas: Roode was one step ahead early on, celebrating with his small successes and the crowd loved him. He tried to toss Almas to the floor, but he did his Spider-man pose in the ropes and then fired back with chops and a basement dropkick. Almas sent Roode to the floor, looked for a dive but Roode rushed back in. Almas looked to go up top, but Roode crotched him and then laid the boots to him in the corner Roode took the heat, hitting a delayed suplex and scoring a near fall. Roode tried to ground Almas, but Almas fought back and as Roode climbed the ropes Almas dropkicked him to the floor. Almas followed with a springboard corkscrew dive. Back in the ring he hit a springboard corkscrew high cross for a near fall. The bulldog followed for another near fall. Almas went for the corner knees but got decapitated with a lariat and Roode got a near fall. Roode tool Almas up top, Almas fought him off and Roode hit a German, but Almas landed on his feet. Straightjacket suplex by Almas for a near fall followed. Roode countered the moonsault with the knees, but Almas countered the fisherman’s suplex with a rollup for 2. They traded strikes; Almas hit a kick and then hit the charging corner knees. Roode countered he hammerlock DDT and then ht the spinebuster. Roode posed and then hit a pump handle slam for the win. The bad news is that Roode’s new finish is the shits, it’s like Road Dogg in 1997 with that stuff, but the good news is that was Almas’ best NXT outing so far and the closest he’s felt to being La Sombra. The match was good and seeing Roode so over was awesome, I am really happy for the guys. He busted his ass for years, was great in TNA and is getting another chance to succeed here
– We got a video package for “Sanity.”

#SANITY#NXTTakeOver @WWENXT https://t.co/GTGD2WyziB

— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2016

– The guys at orange County Choppers designed the Cruiserweight Classic trophy. Triple H unveiled it earlier today. Some of the Cruiserweight Classic guys are at ringside.

The @OCChoppers team and @TripleH unveil the @WWE_CWC championship trophy! #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/x45Q7f9XuL

— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2016

– Gargano and Ciampa prepare backstage, and Ciampa has new shirts for them, #DYI.

NXT Tag Team Title Match: Champions The Revival (Dash and Dawson) vs. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa: These two teams have been tearing it up around the loop, constantly getting MOTN praise on all of the shows they work. I am expecting great things here. Ciampa and Dawson started things off; nice back and forth until Ciampa started to get an advantage and Dawson took a powder. Ciampa worked over Dawson and then tagged on Gargano; they worked double teams and kept control. Dash tried to help, got the tag but Gargano kept control. The Revival started to work quick tags and then sent Gargano to the floor. They chased, all four men in and they had a stand off and then brawled. Ciampa and Gargano cleared the ring and then they took flight to the floor to keep the champions on the defensive. Ciampa tagged in, chased Dash but Dawson tagged in and the numbers game got to Ciampa, allowing the champions to take control. The Revival has that great old school vibe to them that really shines through when they work the heat; quick tags, cutting off the ring, some underhanded tactics all mixed together and it works because they do it so well. Ciampa fought them off but Gargano was pulled to the floor to stop the tag. This was really good work by the Revival on the heat as well as great selling from Ciampa, both in selling the pain as well as trying for the tag and making it seem that he’s completely desperate. Ciampa got the hot tag, but the Revival distracted the ref so there was no official tag; they hit the Demolition finish for a near fall as Ciampa survived. Dawson laid into Ciampa with strikes and a clothesline before sending Gargano to the floor. The Revival’s shenanigans failed and Ciampa finally got the hot tag. Gargano ran wild, scoring with the roll up kick and then a neck breaker for a near fall. The crowd was completely behind him as he hit the slingshot spear for another near fall. These guys have the crowd right where they want them. Blind tag by the Revival and that allowed then to cut off Gargano with a DDT for the near fall. The Revival went for more double teams, Gargano survived and Ciampa tagged in and had the arm bar, but Dash made the save after fighting off Gargano. It broke down, Gargano saved Ciampa with a spear and Ciampa got a roll p for a strong near fall as the crowd is going nuts. My God this is tremendous. Ciampa and Dawson battled center ring, knees by Ciampa and then he slapped the shit out of him, hit the knee but Dawson fought back blind tag, Ciampa countered shatter machine after a superkick by Gargano. Superkick knee combo on Dash for near fall as Dawson put Dash’s foot on the ropes. Ciampa pulled to the floor and posted as Gargano fights off Dawson, but Dash destroyed his knee with a chop block. They hit a double stomp onto the knee like they did to Big Cass, Dawson worked the inverted figure four and Gargano had to tap. This was an absolutely incredible match, with everyone playing their role perfectly and the structure allowing it to organically build all the way through. The juxtaposition of the Revival’s old school approach against the current independent style of Gargano and Ciampa worked perfectly together; the revival are not only the best big match tag team in wrestling that I have seen, but they may be the best team in all of wrestling right now. I loved this match and the way it sets up the future of Gargano and Ciampa. This was the best tag match I’ve seen this year, everything was effortless, the crowd was into everything and I’d call it upper tier MOTY stuff.

– Post match Ciampa helped Gargano to the back, Gargano apologized for the loss and Ciampa gave him a subtle stink eye. Hmmmmmmmmmm, this turn will be fucking beautiful as they have told a great story with these guys.

NXT Women’s Title Match: Champion Asuka vs. Bayley: These two had to follow Nakamura and Zayn and Dallas and now have to follow that tag match. Bayley did an awesome job in the opening minute selling that she was still tentative and also feared Asuka going for her arm. Bayley picked up the pacing and went for a series o of pinning combos in order to try and end this early. Asuka then cut her off with a knee strike and sent Bayley to the floor. Bayley made it back in and Asuka worked her over with hip attacks. Asuka was constantly frustrating Bayley, which again played into the mental aspect of Bayley still being insecure due to their first match. Bayley put a run together, avoided a hip attack and stunned Asuka off the ropes. Bayley hit a double jump cross body for a near fall. She then went up top, Asuka avoided the high cross and then hit a shining wizard for the near fall. They fought up top, Bayley slipped out and got Asuka in the tree of WHOA and hit her elbow drop for a near fall. They fired up and started to lay into each other and then Asuka scored with the stretch muffler. Bayley countered into a bridging pin for a near fall. Asuka was relentless, going for an ankle lock as Bayley sold the fear of and then the pain of the submissions well. Asuka laid into Bayley with kicks, but Bayley fired up and caught a kick and DARED Asuka to hit her! Bayley got a near fall off of the back slide, and then worked her own strikes. They had trouble with a powerbomb spot, as Bayley couldn’t get her up and ended up in more of a neutralizer style move, which was really unfortunate. Asuka then got the Asuka lock, Bayley fought out and to her feet… Bayley to belly hits, but Asuka kicked out. Asuka then scored with the lock again, Bayley fought to her feet but Asuka pulled her down but Bayley rolled over top and got a near fall. Bayley then totally NO SOLD a kick to the head, tightened the pony tail and dared Asuka again as she slapped her, but she ate more kicks to the head and Asuka retained the title. They told the right story and a great one, as Bayley went from being fearful and doubting herself to fighting to survive to finally overcoming and daring Asuka to hit her and going out on her shield. Asuka was the heel here, but she didn’t have to cheat to win, the story was that while Bayley overcame her fears and nearly overcame, Asuka was once again just that much better. This was an excellent match, better than Dallas, and they did an awesome job following the tag match. They have set up Asuka as the dominant force, and if booked properly, who ever beats her will be a huge star.

– Post match Asuka pulled Bayley to her feet and they embraced. Bayley was then given the ring, and received, “Thank you Bayley” chants before going to the floor and embracing Sasha, Becky, Charlotte, her mom and Izzy. That was a great topper to the match as Bayley moves onto the main roster.

– They have a dude here live paying violin to play Nakamura to the ring! THIS WAS FUCKING BAD ASS! He got like a five-minute intro with the crowd singing along to his music.

NXT Title Match: Champion Samoa Joe vs. Shinsuke Nakamura: As the bell rang, the fans were still singing Nakamura’s music. They were tentative early, with both guys looking for openings to take control, but neither gaining an advantage. Nakamura got playful with Joe, which just angered the champion. But it was that which allowed Nakamura to take control with knees as Joe rushed in angry. The action spilled to the floor, where Nakamura landed some knees but Joe cut him off with chops as they returned to the ring. Back in Joe hit the corner back splash and enziguri before talking shit to Nakamura. Nakamura fought back and with Joe on the apron went for a knee, but Joe avoided and Nakamura crashed knee first to the floor. Joe then followed with the elbow suicida and took the heat. Joe was focused and vicious with his attacks before grounding Nakamura, who made the ropes. Nakamura tried to fire back but Joe swept out the leg an hit a powerbomb for a near fall, transitioned into the Boston crab, then into the STF, and then into the crossface; classic Joe here. Nakamura would counter with a roll up and then an enziguri, which rocked Joe. Nakamura then hit the spin kick and they did the double down. Nakamura fired up with the knees in the corner, but he ran into the atomic drop and boot, but Joe missed the running senton. Nakamura looked for a guillotine, they worked countered and Nakamura landed knees to the head of Joe. Nakamura charged and Joe hit a rough (not good) looking STJOE in the corner. Joe then went for a muscle buster, Nakamura fought it off and hit a kick off the second rope. They traded strikes center ring before Joe decapitated Nakamura with a lariat. He went for another but Nakamura scored with the rolling arm bar, Joe rolled and Nakamura transitioned to a triangle. Joe powered into a cloverleaf, which was really slick, but Nakamura made the ropes. Joe went for the choke, Nakamura fought and rolled out but he then ran into a knee by Joe and then elbow strikes. Joe got the choke, but Nakamura managed to get the ropes. Joe once again went for a muscle buster, but Nakamura fought him off and dropped Joe onto his head with a German! Nakamura looked for Kinshasa, but ran into a snap slam and Joe got a near fall. Joe looks completely frustrated, wondering what he has to do to put Nakamura away. He hit an enziguri with Nakamura on the roped and then hit the muscle buster, but Nakamura kicked out! The crowd hyped up for Nakamura, Nakamura countered the muscle buster, Kinshasa connects, but Joe survived and kicked out! Joe may have got clipped god there as he grabs at his jaw. Nakamura hit a knee to the back and then another Kinshasa and wins the title. They got the big reaction for the title change, and credit to Joe for making it through the end with what may be a broken jaw. This was a good, but not great match; the first half was a bit too laid back, the work of Nakamura’s knee meant nothing by the end and I think they went a little long as they lost the early vibe of intensity and never quite got it back. Considering how excited people were (myself included) for the match, it came off a bit disappointing to me.

– As Nakamura celebrated, the ref threw up the X sign for Joe on the floor, Joe was still grabbing at his jaw. They took him to the back

* End scene.

* Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

8.2

The final score: review Very Good

The 411

Tonight’s event was a classic NXT show in terms of delivering a very good show. We had a really invested crowd that created a big event atmosphere, two very good matches (one a MOTY contender for me), the emotional goodbye for Bayley, Austin Aries returning to form, Itami getting back into the mix, Bobby Roode being glorious, Almas starting to feel more like La Sombra and a big title change to shake things up. Good work NXT, Brooklyn once again felt special.