Rate NXT Takeover: Philadelphia

[Prince Bálor]

NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia was a great show, loved it! They delivered as expected. 9/10

- First of all, I loved that intro by Paul Heyman. It was a great video package.

- The Undisputed Era vs The Authors of Pain was a very good show opener. ★★★¾
I really liked the fact that this match felt like a fight, you could just feel the intensity. I also liked the strategy by the champs to work a body part in order to nullify the power advantage the challengers had over them, and the fact that the leg injury played into the finish was great. Fish and O'Reilly delivered, but so did The AoP.

- Velveteen Dream vs Kassius Ohno was good. ★★★
I wasn't particularly invested in it, but hey, it was good for what it was. Would've been hilarious if Dream won in 30 seconds like he said he would.

- Ember Moon vs Shayna Baszler was pretty good. ★★★½
Shayna didn't disappoint in her biggest match yet, while Ember was good as always. Ember's selling was really good as they were building up to the finish after the Eclipse spot. Good stuff, the homestretch and the finish itself were good, too.

- Aleister Black vs Adam Cole was great. ★★★★
I knew this wouldn't disappoint. They had an invested crowd and the stipulation allowed them to do some great stuff. Also, the interferences made sense as the Sanity/Undisputed Era feud continues, and the homestretch was great. Black winning made total sense. I guess it'll be Black vs Almas at TakeOver during WM weekend with Black finally becoming NXT champion.

- Andrade "Cien" Almas vs Johnny Gargano was an excellent ME, MOTN and MOTYC. ★★★★★
Excellent match from start to finish. It had me on the edge of my seat and I loved every bit of it. It had great action, invested crowd, drama and storytelling, everything was on point. This is easily one of the best NXT matches ever. It's must-see stuff. I actually didn't mind Gargano coming up short, but would have loved it to see him win. He deserved that feel-good moment, but at the end of the day, Ciampa/Gargano doesn't really need the title. All in all, NXT TakeOver delivered once again, so hopefully Royal Rumble does the same.

 

[Doxo]

Undisputed Era vs AOP was awesome, and the leg work great. When you don't have the size, you have to cut down your opponent, and that's what happened. The ending should've been better telegraphed though. They should have said Rezar's leg buckled and Riley took advantage, because the raw footage alone looked sloppy and confusing.

Dream vs Ohno was also great, mostly because it was just "Look at how awesome Dream is". Dream is really cool, and he showed it all tonight. He didn't shine as much as against Black, but it takes two to tango. I really can't get behind Ohno, he's a vet, he's talented, I've heard he's really nice, but he's just sooooo fat and doesn't hide any of it. Just look at those thighs! Even the Big Show had strong thighs, and dude used to be 500 lbs.

Moon v Baszler was good. The ending was a little akward, but it was what it was. I have high hopes for Baszler.

Black v Cole, Mama Mia, one of the best hardcore matches I've ever seen ever. I could go in detail, but you all know how good it was. My favorite spot was wjwh Cole took the bump on the chairs, and while screaming in legitimate pain, the crowd starts chanting "You deserve it!".

Alma's vs Gargano was the epitome of story telling. Not since Zayn v Owens at Battleground have I seen such great story telling, and I watched Okada v Omega (match sucked btw)! Watching Johnny slowly getting wilted down, but always kicking out, always on the brink of destruction but always holding on twas beautiful. Of course, eventually, he was pushed over the limit and it was sad. People were SAD. Not disappointed, SAD. People nowadays have two thoughts, "I'm happy that happened." Or "That was the wrong booking call, I'm disappointed." Not since Taker's last match has anyone been sad, and I don't even remember before that. Johnny Gargano connected with us the fans in such a way we were desperate for him to win, but don't forget, Almas connected with us as such a villian we wanted him to lose. This isn't like when people want Jinder to lose, that's smarky desire, this is something else entirely. He connected as a villian so well that we (at least me) weren't disappointed he won, we were just sad Gargano lost. This main event told an amazing story, and it made us marks again when it came to our emotions. It was absolutely awesome.

Anyways, last two matches, 11/10, but the other three matches weren't able to connect with me. They were super entertaining, yes, but it lacked that wow factor that something like Brooklyn III had. 8.5/10, but for the chart thing I'm going to round down since 4 is the best number and 8 is two 4s

I'm rounding up to 9 after the Royal Rumble. Just a perspective thing

 

[Jacob Fox]

Honestly, with his performance here, I think he proved himself worthy. He's improved a hell of a lot, and this was a breakout performance from both him and Gargano. Johnny's selling and Almas' overall work as a heel was really what put the match over.

You're entitled to feel that way, of course, but I disagree. Just because he had good in ring chemistry with Gargano doesn't mean he's worthy of being champion. One match a champion does not make. If he continues to perform like that, fine. But this is the only match of his I have ever seen that I have liked and that doesn't make him a champion in my mind.

 

[Doxo]

You're entitled to feel that way, of course, but I disagree. Just because he had good in ring chemistry with Gargano doesn't mean he's worthy of being champion. One match a champion does not make. If he continues to perform like that, fine. But this is the only match of his I have ever seen that I have liked and that doesn't make him a champion in my mind.

Really? I always thought he was good, and ever since Gargano vs Almas at Brooklyn became my favorite match of my favorite event, I think ever one of his matches have been amazing sans him and McIntyre

 

[Jacob Fox]

Really? I always thought he was good, and ever since Gargano vs Almas at Brooklyn became my favorite match of my favorite event, I think ever one of his matches have been amazing sans him and McIntyre

I just don't see it, sorry. I'm happy you and others think he is good. In my viewpoint he's not.

 

[Zardnaar]

I would give it a 8.5/10 but being generous I rated it a 9/10 due to no 8.5 button.

Can they even do a bad Takeover? The rumbles were also surpriginly good, maybe the best WWE weekend I have seen since I joined the network in 2016?

 

[Rosie]

Well, Meltzer rated the main event five stars. That is the first time he rated a WWE match Five Stars since CM Punk vs John Cena at Money in the Bank. This match was the whole shebang.

 

[Grievous 3D]

Okay...I've finally watched the entire show...a week late but its the best I can do...

The Undisputed Era vs. The Authors of Pain...
I like the way Fish & O'Reilly make constant quick tags...a very drilled & smart way
for a tag team to operate. They are both highly skilled & extremely sharp in the ring...
much more so than their team mate Adam Cole.

The match itself was solid but as much as I'd like to see the Authors of Pain on the
main roster...I'm not sure if they are ready for that.

Velveteen Dream vs. Kassius Ohno...
The Velveteen Dream is a great character and that's why I enjoy watching him. This
match was nowhere near as good as his match with Aleister Black...but it was solid
enough & Velveteen scored the win which is the most important thing.

Push the Dream NXT!

Ember Moon vs. Shayna Baszler...
Okay...so...I have a lot to unpack with this one.

1). While I like Ember Moon...I think the NXT made a mistake by making her too "normal"
They should have gone the opposite direction with her as a character & kept her silent &
mysterious.

2). The fact Ember didn't defeat Asuka for the title makes her the Champion "By Default"
in my mind...and I know that's not fair...but...its how I see it from my perspective.

In hindsight Ember should have been the one to defeat Asuka...& whenever I see her
its all I can really think about.

3). I actually believe that NXT should have put the belt on Shayna.

Yes...I know she is still fairly "Green" but there is just something about her...she has a
very "dangerous" aura...like if you crossed Randy Orton's "I don't give a fuck" attitude &
methodical pace with Brock Lesnar's "He could actually tear you into pieces" ring presence.

4). The match itself was an interesting watch & I'm honestly not sure if it was good or not...
but I find Shayna Baszler very compelling to watch as a performer.

Ronda Rousey should be booked this exact same way on the main roster.

Aleister Black vs. Adam Cole...
Okay...so I'm a huge Aleister Black mark I admit that...but I still just don't get Adam Cole.
I'm sorry...I just don't. Can someone explain to me why people rate him so highly.

And don't just say "Because he's Adam Cole Bay-Bay!"

That catchphrase is stupid & means nothing.

The match itself was good...a little slow in places but overall really entertaining with Black's
"Aura of Evil" slipping a few times during the match.

And of course my boys SAni†Y had a great "smash & grab" cameo which automatically made
the match even better.

Andrade "Cien" Almas vs. Johnny Gargano...
Well...I posted my thoughts in another thread...but I'll quote them here...

Okay...so I finally had a chance to watch the match...and I took some notes...
because I'm a nerd.

~ Whenever I see a Mariachi band I always think of the film "From Dusk till Dawn"
Does anyone else here remember that film? It was pretty fun.

~ Zelina Vega looks amazing in red. What's she like in the ring? Like can she actually
wrestle?

~ I'm not really a fan of Gargano's entrance theme...just saying.

~ Why don't they stop to let the crowd chant "One Fall!" anymore?

~ Johnny Wrestling is a cool chant...

~ The crowd is so into the match...I can't really explain how important that is for
a high quality match...atmosphere is so important.

~ I really like matches with an early "feeling out" period...lots of mat wrestling
& grappling...I love it. Always reminds me of Benoit vs. Angle.

~ Gargano is so "light footed" he almost seems to "float" sometimes.

~ The Slingshot spear is an Awesome move.

~ Zelina has been less "shouty" in this match...which I like. She's a lovely lady
but I don't need to hear her constantly screaming & yelling. I found her annoying
during the Almas/McIntrye

~ Almas has way better chemistry with Gargano than he did with McIntyre...but that
is to be expected due to their in-ring style being more compatible.

~ And the women are fighting now! And the crowd goes wild!

~ Gargano is such a good seller...seriously...the guy can sell a being knocked "loopy"
better than anyone I've ever seen.

~ Well...Almas retained...but both men were winners after this one. These are the kind
of matches I enjoy the most because both men benefited & neither looked weak or pathetic.

Take note main roster booking team!

~ Is it me or does Candice LeRae look a hell of lot like Alexa Bliss? Like seriously she
looks like she could be her sister.

~ Man...Tommaso Ciampa has some dead eyes...seriously...the guy looked like a forest
dwelling serial killer.

Well...it was a fantastic match & I honestly think it deserved its 5 star rating & the crowd
really helped elevate the match by being so into it.

It has also radically changed my opinion of Andrade "Cien" Almas because if the man
can be involved in a match like this...he deserves to be at the top of the card.

Almas vs. Black @TakeOver: New Orleans please.

Overall another fantastic TakeOver...but that's to be expected at this point isn't it?

8 out 10 on the G-Scale...