By JCH
Quick thoughts on Takeover
Riddle v Strong - Absolute banger. Did have it as my second favorite match on show, after rematch moved up to tied 1st. Not shocking considering the talent involved. Really enjoyed this one and calling your new finish the Bro Derrick. Brilliant.
Tag Team Ladder match - Wow, loads of killer spots. I feel for Kyle’s back. Bobby Fish’s verbals were excellent. Big feature for Jason Ryker. Very happy for Street Profits. They’ve taken this gimmick and run with it. 3rd fave match on card for me.
Dream v Breeze - Good solid match, but on this card I believe it will end up being forgettable.
Shayna vs Io - Match of the night for me on first watch. It didn’t lose anything on the rewatch, just Riddle/Strong went up to same level. If you made me choose though I’d probably just lean here. I feel Shayna Baszler is vastly underrated in this game. Her character is fantastic and her matches always live up. Io Shirai is brilliant. Great finish with Io in control but making that one mistake giving up her neck in the birding Pin and the MMA star pounced. Just seemed real. They mesh really well, interested to see where the post-match snap from Io leads.
Gargano v Cole. Good match, great closing stretch. 4th best match on night for me. Johnny collapsing before Cole could hit the last shot was beautiful. Would have preferred a pro-Gargano crowd.
This week -
Keith Lee vs Kona Reeves
Decent little match here. Kona getting the advantage early on and was in control early on until he punched Keith one too many times, Keith took control and ran though some of his big moved before finishing off Reeves. Reeves is looking more comfortable in his character but with the gimmick he needs to pick up a few wins soon.
Next week - Io and Candice vs Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke
Backstage interview with the Street Profits who take a cameraman to party (and buy a new shirt as he has a Rids shirt on)
Interview with Tyler Breeze, he says he’s back in NXT
Mia Yim vs Bianca Belair
It’s one all going into this decider. Will the braid play a part again?
Due to problems I had to watch this on laptop so thoughts slightly shortened.
Really enjoyable match again by these two. Bianca had control mostly, working on Mia’s back, but Mia kept getting fleeting offence and they were almost always attempts to end the match. Either Submissions or Pins. Bianca did her braid up before going for the K.O.D to avoid having her hair pulled. One of a few call backs to previous matches. Mia got the in hitting the Protect Yo Neck (I think) off the 2nd rope to take the feud and possibly move into the title picture. Where does Bianca go from here? I feel like they have her earmarked for Mania Takeover to win the belt, unless they just move her up, but this has been a good feud that I think has helped both wrestlers.
Drew Gulak interview. He’s insulted by a Back to the Future cosplayer pinning him when he’s meant to be a submission specialist. It included the quote ‘Biff was the hero by the way’.
Challenges Kushida to a submission match. That will happen next week. More Gulak on NXT. Thank you.
Lorcan and Burch vs Strong and O’Reilly next week as well. Bobby Fish suffered an injury during the match. Sad times.
Finishes with a look back on Cole winning the title. My highlight of this was F.R.G (who made the trip) being devastated at Cole winning. Yes F.R.G that is how you’re supposed to feel. Thank you F.R.G. What a hero.
Stars of the week
1. Bianca Belair – Hard to choose between top 2 this week but I felt Bianca was enjoyable as the heel in control, adding some little extras to holds some people can make look dull
2. Mia Yim – Another good performance from Mia. Look forward to seeing if she goes after Shayna next or has to go through Io or Candice
3. Drew Gulak – Another entertaining promo from the Drewster. His staright man routine is fantastic
Montez Ford award
Kona Reeves – I liked what I saw from Kona this week. Seems to have added more than just shouting ‘finest’ to his character.
Yim vs Belair was better than most matches we get on a Post Takeover show. Look forward to next week and seeing what big programs begin.
Overall Top 10
1. Johnny Gargano 16
2. Matt Riddle 10
2. Ricochet 10
4. Bianca Belair 8
5. Shayna Baszler 7
5. Io Shirai 7
5. Kyle O'Reilly 7
5. Mia Yim 7
5. Adam Cole 7
10. Kushida 6
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