NXT Minus 6: The WOW of the Year!

NXT Takeover In Your House is in the books, and Bradley Jay is in the house to bring you his 6-point review of the event!

WOW! Moments like these are why I love wrestling…and other musings from Takeover IYH.

6. The opening 6-woman tag match was good, an entirely adequate Wednesday night match. The problem is the bar for a Takeover opener is insanely high, and this came nowhere close. Still, everyone got to shine and much love to Shotzi Blackheart for busting out cattle mutilation. Super cool, but not my WOW of the Year. 3 stars.

5. The match that stole the show was Finn Balor versus Damian Priest. I’ve been hard on Priest, but he delivered big time. This is the guy I want in main events. This match was intense, and the stair bump at the end was brutal, but not my WOW of the year. It was so good, I thought Balor was going to shake Priest’s hand at the end instead of giving him the gunfingers. Now if he would just put away that goofy bow & arrow. 4.5 stars

4. This entire feud has been underwhelming. I had low expectations for Adam Cole versus Velveteen Dream, so I can’t say I was disappointed. It was the longest 6 hours of my life. I couldn’t wait for it to end. And through no fault of Cole & Dream, the lighting was atrocious and the editing was even worse. I got sea sick and had a seizure. 1.5 stars 

3. I liked Johnny Garano versus Keith Lee. I didn’t love it. Maybe that’s my fault. They might be two of the best in the biz, but I can’t expect 5 stars every time. Not every Rolling Stones album can be Sticky Fingers. This felt like a good meal that needed a bit more salt. I thought Gargano’s joint manipulation was great, but not enough to overcome the scintillating smorgasbord of super kicks. We’ll call it a wash. 4 stars  

2. Most everything I said about Lee-Gargano applies to Shirai versus Ripley versus Charlotte. I love triple threat matches, and this was a good one, but something seemed to be missing. I’m happy for Shirai. When you are the best in the world, you should carry the gold. Plus her dive off the roof was nutso, but not my WOW of the Year. 4 stars

1. I’m the guy who said Karrion Kross’ was running out of time to impress me. I’m the guy who was 100% wrong. I’m not counting his first two squashes. The Brad has no memory of that. His debut NXT match versus Tommaso Ciampa is my WOW of the Year. Holy EFF! Blown away. Instantly dazzled. If you tell me he’ll be Universal Champion by December, I have no reason to question you. Mr. Kross, I hope you can acclimate to the rocket they’re going to strap to your ass. 4.5 stars