Chairshot Top 5: WWE NXT WrestleMania Weekend Matches

As you prepare for WWE NXT Stand & Deliver in St. Louis, check out Top 5 NXT WrestleMania Weekend Matches!

WrestleMania weekend isn’t just about WrestleMania…everyone knows this..

For years, NXT made it a point to steal the spotlight—and more often than not, they did exactly that. Whether it was TakeOver or Stand & Deliver, these shows became must-watch events, delivering matches that didn’t just complement WrestleMania—they sometimes outshined it.

Here is our Top 5, the best matches to ever take place on NXT’s biggest weekend (plus two honorable mentions).

5. NXT TakeOver: New Orleans – Adam Cole vs. EC3 vs. Killian Dain vs. Lars Sullivan vs. Ricochet vs. The Velveteen Dream in a Ladder Match for the NXT North American Championship

The introduction of the NXT North American Championship set the tone for what this match needed to be: chaotic, fast-paced, and unforgettable. Featuring Adam Cole, Ricochet, Velveteen Dream, EC3, Killian Dain, and Lars Sullivan, the match combined established names with rising stars in a high-risk environment that immediately gave the new title credibility.

From start to finish, this was exactly what a multi-man ladder match should be. Everyone had a moment, the action never slowed down, and the finish—Adam Cole emerging as the inaugural champion—felt like the right mix of chaos and clarity. It didn’t just introduce a championship; it established it as something worth paying attention to.

4. NXT Stand & Deliver 2023 – Wes Lee vs. Axion vs. Dragon Lee vs. Ilja Dragunov vs. JD McDonagh in a Fatal 5-Way Match for the NXT North American Championship

If the New Orleans ladder match defined the title early, this one reinforced what it had become. Wes Lee, Ilja Dragunov, JD McDonagh, Dragon Lee, and Axiom delivered a match built on speed, precision, and constant motion, showcasing the depth of NXT’s roster in the modern era.

What stood out wasn’t just the pace—it was the execution. Multi-man matches can easily fall apart, but this one stayed tight, with every competitor contributing without stepping on each other’s moments. Wes Lee retaining felt earned, and the match itself reinforced the North American Championship as a showcase for some of the best in-ring talent in WWE.

Honorable Mention – NXT TakeOver: New York – Pete Dunne vs. WALTER (United Kingdom Championship)

WALTER vs. Pete Dunne wasn’t built on spectacle—it was built on identity. The United Kingdom Championship had already been established as something different within WWE, and this match leaned all the way into that, delivering a hard-hitting, physical contest that stood out from everything else on the weekend.

What made it work wasn’t just the style—it was the commitment to it. Every strike mattered, every moment felt deliberate, and the result helped solidify WALTER as a dominant force moving forward. It didn’t need stipulations or chaos to stand out. It just needed two performers willing to go all-in on what they do best.

3. NXT TakeOver: Dallas – Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Sami Zayn

This was a debut, but it didn’t feel like one. Shinsuke Nakamura arrived in NXT with an aura, and Sami Zayn met him at that level, delivering a match that felt as big as anything on WrestleMania weekend.

There’s a simplicity to this match that makes it stand out. No gimmicks, no overbooking—just two performers at the top of their game. It was physical, emotional, and precise, the kind of match that reminds you how effective wrestling can be when it’s done right. For many, this was the moment NXT TakeOver officially became essential viewing.

2. NXT TakeOver: New Orleans – Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa (Unsanctioned Match)

Few rivalries in NXT history had the depth or intensity of Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa, and the Unsanctioned Match at TakeOver: New Orleans delivered on every level. Built on betrayal, resentment, and long-term storytelling, this wasn’t just a match—it was the payoff to one of the brand’s most compelling narratives.

The stipulation allowed for a level of brutality that matched the story being told. Every moment felt earned, every escalation made sense, and the crowd was invested from start to finish. Gargano’s victory wasn’t just a win—it was a resolution, at least for that moment, in a rivalry that defined an era of NXT.

Honorable Mention – NXT Stand & Deliver 2023 – Indi Hartwell vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Gigi Dolin vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Zoey Stark in a 6-Way Ladder Match for the NXT Women’s Championship

The NXT Women’s Championship has long been one of the most respected titles in WWE, and this match showcased exactly why. Indi Hartwell, Roxanne Perez, Gigi Dolin, Lyra Valkyria, Tiffany Stratton, and Zoey Stark combined for a match that balanced risk, athleticism, and storytelling.

Ladder matches bring chaos by design, but this one stood out for how well each participant carved out a role. From high-impact moments to near-falls that kept the outcome in doubt, the match delivered throughout. Indi Hartwell capturing the title provided a fitting conclusion to a match that highlighted the strength and depth of the division.

1. NXT TakeOver: New York – Johnny Gargano vs. Adam Cole (Two Out of Three Falls for the NXT Championship)

This was the culmination of everything NXT had been building toward for years. Johnny Gargano and Adam Cole delivered a match that combined long-term storytelling, in-ring excellence, and emotional payoff in a way few matches ever do.

The two-out-of-three falls structure gave the match room to breathe while raising the stakes with each fall. By the time it was over, it felt like more than just a title change—it felt like the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Gargano’s win wasn’t just a moment; it was a statement, and a defining one for NXT during its peak TakeOver era.

Have one we missed? Share your Top 5 in the comments!