NXT Minus 6: Takeover New York Recap

6. War Raiders versus Aleister Black & Ricochet: It’s hard to create genuine moments in wrestling today. Everybody knows everything. Eras are ending. History is made. That’s why this match was so special. The action itself was amazing; it’s wrestling at its finest when wrestlers with distinct personalities go out there and do what makes sense for them. The ending to this match is what put it over the top. The show of respect from the War Raiders to Black/Ricochet was as real as it gets. The fan send off was almost more emotion that the arena could hold.
5 stars. Match of the night. Front runner NXT MOTY.

5. Velveteen Dream versus Matt Riddle: If Dream’s in ring skills were as big as his personality, every match would be a classic. His entrance alone is 3 stars. Lucky for us, Riddle’s in ring skills are as big as his personality. I’m probably in the minority, but I’m not a fan of Dream Hulking up. He can put his own stamp on a comeback. Even so, the action was great & I’d watch Riddle knee the stuffing out of a Thanksgiving turkey.
4.3 stars

4. Pete Dunne versus WALTER: From a business standpoint, I understand the ending. As a fan, I didn’t like it. I feel like the one thing lacking from this match was the molten hot crowd they would have had if it took place in England. The NXT UK fans deserved this match. This was British Strong Style on steroids. I don’t know what was crazier: Dunne power bombing WALTER or WALTER hitting the biggest frog splash in wrestling history.
4.5 stars

3. Shayna Baszler versus Io Shirai versus Kairi Sane versus Bianca Belair: I rewatched this match. I don’t know how I didn’t see it the first time, but this was fantastic. Belair’s double K.O.D. was insane. Shirai keeps getting better. Sane is a transcendent talent. The anguish on her face as she went after her friend was emotional depth you don’t see often enough in ring. I’m not even going to complain about the ending because Shayna Baszler is PURE EVIL and scares me.
4.5 stars.

2. Johnny Gargano versus Adam Cole: I wanted this to be 5 stars. I wanted it to be MOTY. It wasn’t all that, but it was close. The end brought me down. One guy fights off 4 and still kicks out of a dump truck of finishers? I would have been happy to see Candace come down with Ciampa’s crutch & help out Johnny. Still, it was a great match & a great moment for a guy who deserves it.
4.8 stars.

1. Set the bar high & clear it by a foot. That’s what wrestling’s Black & Gold standard does. Every wrestler on the card had a WOW moment. Some are calling this the best Takeover ever. I won’t go that far, but it will be in the conversation for PPV of the year.
Overall 4.6 stars.

That’s right…I said it.