On January 28th, 2017 the WWE Network presented NXT Takeover: San Antonio! The event featured several important matches, featuring multiple championships being defended. Fan reaction has been very positive, with people not expecting the show to deliver as strongly as it did. The match of the night is up in the air, and it could go either way. Be sure to vote and let your voice be heard, but what did we think of the show? Let’s take a look.
Tye Dillinger vs. Eric Young
Steve: I believe this is the third time Tye Dillinger has opened up an NXT Takeover event, and it has ruled every time. Whether it was his match with Andrade Almas, his match with Bobby Roode, or this time, his match with Eric Young, he always delivers. The crowd loves Tye, and it is easy to see why. He is very good.
Could this be Tye’s swan song? I don’t think so, but I wouldn’t be surprised either. I think he appears in the Rumble no matter what, but whether or not this is it for him is to be determined. Good match, here. I wouldn’t mind him feuding with Sanity more going forward.
Kevin: An outstanding opener as expected, and everything about the match was great, every aspect. A mighty reaction for Tye Dillinger, the fans absolutely love him, and regardless of where on the card Dillinger is, he delivers without fail. Great back and forth action and these two men had great chemistry. We all knew that Tye was going to be outnumbered, and that ended up being the deciding factor. I felt that as always, Eric Young produced excellent work as a heel. All in all, the chemistry was there, both men worked brilliantly, an awesome match to set up the night.
Brock: This match was every bit as great as I thought it’d be. The fastest 20 minute opener I’ve seen in a very long time. There wasn’t anything about this match I didn’t like. The timing was great, the action was great, the pacing was great, the psychology was great; everything they did meant something. This was, for my money, one of the very best openers in Takeover history. I hope this means a promotion to the main roster for Tye Dillinger, but we’ll have to wait and see. There was a feeling after this one that this was going to be a special night.
Winner: Eric Young
Roderick Strong vs. Andrade Almas
Steve: I thought this was a good match. I was disappointed the crowd checked out a bit for it, but I can understand as Strong hasn’t been given much of a character since debuting. Nonetheless, both guys worked hard and put on something that was quite fun. I really wonder what’s next though.
I was hoping Almas would pick up the win even if I went with Strong. Almas could be much more than he is, and I’m hoping that he becomes more in the coming months. With the results of the main event, I’m not sure if he’ll be in a top guy spot, but as long as he stays a focal point, I’ll be happy. Good match.
Kevin: A superb showing by both Andrade Cien Almas and Roderick Strong. Again, great back and forth stuff here with both men having the upper hand at times, and once again the connection and chemistry those two displayed was just brilliant. It will be very intriguing to find out what is next for both, but that win should put Strong close to an NXT Championship shot in my opinion. Strong as usual targeted his opponent’s back very well, and together they pulled it off excellently..Both men should be proud of their work.
Brock: Another classic here. Again, this was every bit as great as I thought it would be. Talk about timing, these two looked to be connected at the brain. Despite a few brief slip-ups this match was flawless and my pick for match of the night. Almas looked incredible but the star of this match was Roderick Strong. I don’t see this guy hanging out in NXT for much longer.
Judging by the outcome of the main event I would suspect that Roderick is on the fast track for a strong, short-lived babyface run at the top of the NXT mountain before hitting SD Live or RAW. One last thought on this match: Roderick Strong has the prettiest dropkick in all of WWE today. I immediately thought back to the early ’90s when Shawn Michaels had the best dropkick in the WWF and the WWF Magazine ran a story on who had the best dropkick in the WWF. Yeah, I’m that old….
Winner: Roderick Strong
NXT Tag Team Championship
DIY vs. The Authors of Pain
Steve: My match of the night. This was every bit as good as I thought it’d be and more. The call backs to the past DIY matches were excellent and the finishing sequence was magic. The crowd went from limited interest to being extremely into the match and that is a testament to all involved.
Authors of Pain winning was expected, but the match was so good I don’t think most people mind. Tommaso Ciampa looked fantastic here, and it is good to see him and Gargano be so successful. What is next for them, though? They have the rematch, which I assume will be saved for Wrestlemania weekend, but then what? I’m very interested in seeing what’s next.
Kevin: This match had a great build and due to the result, there is a rematch due that I agree should not be invoked until Takeover: Orlando and no sooner. Like I said, the build has been awesome, so why not let it get even hotter?! The match itself again was a great story, DIY were the underdog champions against the unbeaten monsters, the Authors Of Pain. I felt that when Johnny Gargano was singled out, the Authors superbly cut the ring in half, and related to that I absolutely agree, Johnny Wrestling has to be one of the best sellers in the business. It was disheartening to see Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa lose the NXT Tag Team Titles, however it creates the story of redemption, which hopefully culminates at Wrestlemania weekend. Excellent performance by all five men.
Brock: This one exceeded my expectations in the best of ways. It started out a bit shaky with even the fans in San Antonio not liking it. Then, mid-way through, it shifted and oh man what a match we got! Although Akam and Rezar came out on top the two stars of this match were Paul Ellering, who sold as well as anyone in the match, and Johnny Gargano, who played the part of Ricky Morton tonight. What a performance by both guys.
Gargano reminds me of Bret Hart, who could sell a beating better than anyone in wrestling. This match worked because the story of the match, power versus speed, was believable and pulled off with great skill and psychology. I still expect a Ciampa hell turn, but I’m not sure I want to see it any more. What I’d really like to see is a rematch at the next TO event between these two and not a moment before then. Let this story build, I say. The rematch could be even better than this one was.
Winners: The Authors of Pain (New Champions)
NXT Women’s Championship
Asuka vs. Billie Kay vs. Peyton Royce vs. Nikki Cross
Steve: This was a ton of fun. It wasn’t an epic like some of the women’s matches we’ve seen on NXT, but instead they went for something different. And it worked. All four women looked good, with Billie and Peyton looking the best they have since coming to NXT and Nikki Cross being given the spotlight is always a good thing.
Of course, Asuka won. I figured she would, but I do think this was a good opportunity to have her drop the belt without being pinned. I wonder what the plan is going forward. A lot of people want Ember Moon vs. Asuka, but I’m not sure if there has been enough build on the Ember Moon front for that. Then again, we have two months before the next event so I suppose it is possible. Really fun match, and I like flash finishes now and then, even if this one felt a bit flat because of it.
Kevin: I thought all four women put on a great one here, all four got the spotlight, and I loved the table spot, it really added to the match. I felt that when the match was made that all four had a legitimate chance of leaving San Antonio as NXT Women’s Champion. Nikki Cross showed what she can do, Billie Kay and Peyton Royce put on their best display to date, and Asuka never fails to amaze. The champion’s story was clear..Redempion, and that she got. Agreed on the finish being quick, however, it was a great battle and Asuka will be looking for new challengers. I predict Asuka VS Ember Moon, but I can also see Nikki Cross VS Asuka one on one coming soon.
Brock: Though I predicted that Nikki Cross would escape with the title, I’m not at all unhappy with this result. In fact I rather enjoyed this “Attitude Era” throwback until the very, very end. The quick finish was something I wasn’t digging too much. It seems a lot of the Asuka matches end that way and I’m just not into that. I would have liked to see Billie Kay make the save and then one or two things come out of that for the finish. Maybe Kay reaching out for Royce before being snatched by Asuka for the finish, I don’t know. NXT prides itself on drama and these finishes have zero drama for me. The match was dripping with it, just not the finish. Kay & Royce looked fantastic tonight, as did Nikki Cross, who looked like a mad dog.
Can I ask a question about Kay & Royce? Are they supposed to be ambiguously gay? I mean the announcers constantly push the fact that the two do virtually everything together, including living together and coming to the ring together tonight holding hands. I don’t care if they are or not, I’m just trying to understand the mixed messages. They remind me of Billy & Chuck, who pushed the buttons and then backed off rapidly once the company started getting bad press for it. If they (kayfabe or not) are I wish creative would own it and run with it rather than, shall we say, pussy foot around it.
Winner: Asuka (Still Champion)
NXT Championship
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Bobby Roode
Steve: This was really, really good. This match was something I thought would either surprise people and deliver big time, or it was going to be very dull. Thankfully it was the first. Bobby Roode was absolutely the highlight, and his character work in the match was fantastic. The fact that he won the title surprised me, with only Kevin getting this prediction right out of the three of us.
So what happens now? I see a rematch, but not at Wrestlemania Weekend. I think Ohno and Nakamura still takes place at Wrestlemania weekend. So who becomes number one contender for Roode? I think it’ll be someone we don’t expect. And I can’t wait.
Kevin: My match of the night..What an epic match, the entire thing. Both entrances were class, and the execution of the bout was amazing. Two of the greatest putting on a clinic, Bobby Roode looking like the absolute star that he is, and Shinsuke Nakamura will brilliant selling. I also though it was a legit knee injury, and what made it superbly believable is that Roode didn’t attack right away. Everyone had to think ‘who is gonna win this thing’, it was anyone’s game. Roode wanted to change the game and that he has done. What an absolute delight from both men. I must say, I was both so proud and so ecstatic to get this one right. Just awesome!
Brock: What a match! The entrances were great, the crowd, which was hot from the start of the night, was great, and the psychology was excellent. Though both guys looked like a million bucks, Roode was the star of the match and the night. Nakamura, who isn’t the greatest at selling, sold his ass off (did anyone NOT think he was injured for real?), leading to a shock finish that elevated both guys and enhanced Roode’s maniacal ego.
Though I predicted that Nakamura would retain, I actually think this was the right move. This will reinvigorate NXT and bring a lot of eyes to the product that weren’t otherwise watching. What I would like to see now is Nakamura go to the main roster and Roderick Strong or Kassius Ohno go after Roode. There is a lot of talent on the roster and a lot of stories to be told. A perfect way to cap off one of the best TakeOver events ever.
Winner: Bobby Roode (New Champion)
Closing Thoughts
Steve: This was a really, really strong show. I’d go as far as to say it was one of the stronger NXT Takeovers, period. I thought every match delivered in some way, with most over delivering. Plus two big title changes makes it feel like a soft reset for NXT going forward.
I have to talk about the Seth Rollins moment. How cool was that? The crowd was super hot for seeing him, and they wanted a Triple H and Seth Rollins fight, even in Triple H’s house. I love it, and I hope the build continues tomorrow. This show ruled, and I hope the Rumble does too.
Kevin: This show was every bit as epic as I thought it would, from beginning to end. Great stories, great build ups, great matches, great moments, great chemistry, great crowd..It had it all. The fact that Seth Rollins appeared to call out Triple H was brilliant, the fans ate it up, and I cannot wait until they lock horns. If you haven’t watched this show, get to it..No more need be said!
Brock: What a show! The highlight of the night for me, aside from the great action, was Seth Rollins calling out Triple H and Triple H retreating like the classic heel that he is. Unlike CM Punk, Rollins is embracing this angle with Triple H and having fun with it. Rollins is going to be a massive star when this thing is all said and done. If you didn’t see this show or weren’t sure how good it was going to be, do yourself a favor and watch the entire show. It was as close to an old school ECW PPV (minus the gore and sex) as has been done in years.
A special thanks, once again, to Steve and Jon for allowing me to the privilege of participating in WNN’s coverage of yet another classic NXT TakeOver event. Also, a shout out to Kevin: Great work! I look forward to working with you again, mate!
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