I love NXT. The roster, the matches, and the storylines are everything that the main roster ought to be. Although NXT is technically the “developmental show” for WWE, I think it goes without saying that almost every weekend there’s an NXT Takeover and a main roster PPV, NXT Takeover is the better show. It’s Money In The Bank weekend, but Saturday night belongs to NXT! Here’s a recap of NXT Takeover Chicago II! Although I give a score for each individual match, it’s only my personal opinion, I’m definitely not a wrestling guru just a guy that loves wrestling!
The Undisputed Era (Champs) vs. Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan – NXT Tag Team Championships
When this feud first began I was disappointed that Pete Dunne didn’t seem to be playing a part in it. Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch hadn’t really made a name for themselves yet in NXT, but holy Hell did they bring it tonight! I’m definitely an Oney Lorcan guy now! Both him and Burch put on an incredible fight against the Undisputed Era who were represented by Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong. Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch have a pretty sweet signature move and I love the fact that Danny Burch headbutts his opponents. That all being said, The Undisputed Era are one of the best tag teams in the world for a reason. As always they showed perfect synchronicity and having Adam Cole at ringside gave them an unfair advantage, but Lorcan and Burch put up a great fight. Lorcan took a nasty fall where he hit his back off ringside, and the moment he came back I was in disbelief. Though they were close to victory, the Undisputed Era came out on top. It was way more entertaining than I thought it’d be. Excellent opening fight! 9/10 The Undisputed Era wins via pinfall.
Ricochet vs. Velveteen Dream
NXT Takeover: New Orleans gave us one of the greatest ladder matches in recent memory, and these two stars were a big part of that. They had many spots in that match that were absolutely incredible so these two feuding is a dream (puns) come true. The feud began with Velveteen telling Ricochet that anything he can do, the Dream can do better and that story played through the match. Velveteen Dream read Ricochet like a book and was his usual psychological self. Early in the match he began copying Ricochet and doing moves nobody had seen him do before (literally proving he can do anything Ricochet does), but whenever Ricochet starts flying he becomes unstoppable and an absolute blast to watch. Velveteen Dream hits Ricochet with the same Death Valley Bomb he used during the Takeover: New Orleans ladder match and even suplexes Ricochet off the top rope onto the floor which looked PAINFUL. Ricochet then got revenge and used the Death Valley Bomb on Velveteen dream and even mocked him with Velveteen’s signature pose. The ending was a series of 1-Ups from the two, Ricochet did a Shooting Star Press from halfway across the ring, Velveteen Dream attempted an elbow drop from the entire length of the ring, but then Ricochet ended the contest with an INSANE 630. Two amazing wrestlers proving why they’re some of the best in the world. It didn’t matter who won this one, we got the amazing show we were promised! 10/10. Ricochet wins via pinfall.
Shayna Baszler vs. Nikki Cross – NXT Women’s Championship
These two aren’t my favorites in the Women’s Division, but Shayna Baszler has grown on me as a champion. She’s definitely gotten better with time, and Nikki Cross does the “crazy” persona better than anyone I can think of. This match had a bit of humor with how Cross essentially wanted Baszler to beat the crap out of her. After the beginning though there wasn’t much to this match. None of the spots really stuck out, and the finisher where Baszler held Cross in the submission definitely dragged out longer than it should’ve. I didn’t have high expectations for this, and sadly I was right to think so. Definitely the low point of the night, but I’m still excited to see who will be the first genuine threat to Baszler. 6.5/10 Baszler wins via submission.
Aleister Black (Champ) vs. Lars Sullivan – NXT Championship
Takeover continued with NXT Champion Aleister Black defending his belt against Diet Braun Strowman aka Lars Sullivan! Both of these guys always put on a hell of a show so my hopes were high for this one. Black came in hot and began a fast paced assault on Sullivan bringing the monster down fast, but Sullivan easily retaliated to gain the upper hand. The first big spot came when Sullivan climbed the top rope and body slammed Black. Black quickly put up his knee in defense but Sullivan’s massive size just crushed it. That injury played a role the rest of the match, but unlike most “injury stories” in matches, this one looked believably painful. Also, it’s amazing how Black can go from 0 to 100 in just a second. He’s so fast, and Sullivan is surprisingly quick for his size as well. It dragged on a little in the middle but the ending was phenomenal. Black hit Sullivan in the face with his knee then followed up with a Black Mass. Sullivan though shook it off and looked Black in the eye saying “I’m not finished yet.” To which Black yelled out a battle cry and hit Sullivan with another Black Mass to finish the beast off for good. A good, not great match with a very cool ending! Can’t wait to see who challenges the champ next! 8.5/10 Black wins via pinfall.
Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa – Chicago Street Fight
Gargano vs. Ciampa at Takeover: New Orleans was one for the history books and the feud continued tonight in Chicago where it all began! In the first NXT Takeover: Chicago, Ciampa ended their tag team DIY and betrayed his best friend Gargano starting a blood feud that would last for months due to Ciampa’s injury. That time though only added to the heat between these two and has led to an absolutely amazing feud. Gargano was out for blood this time around leading William Regal to make their match a Chicago Street Fight so they could go all out. The match almost immediately went to the “streets” though with Gargano throwing Ciampa into the announce table (which wrecked poor Nigel McGuinness) and then into the stands. Ciampa though returned the favor with a trip to Suplex City for Gargano and a brutal spot where Ciampa put a chair around Gargano’s neck and threw him into the steel steps. Things started getting kinky though when Ciampa tried to handcuff Gargano, but Gargano defended himself and started whipping his old friend with his belt. Jokes aside, this match made excellent use of weapons and the “everything is legal” stipulation. The two just tore into each other and you really felt these two HATED each other. Things began spiraling further out of control when Ciampa ripped the ring apart exposing the wood underneath (something I have never seen before). Gargano luckily escaped that, but he didn’t escape the trash can lid to the face soon after. Ciampa then dragged Gargano to the entrance ramp and essentially reenacted the moment at the last Takeover Chicago where Ciampa initially turned heel. To rub salt into the wound though, Ciampa took Gargano’s wedding ring, spat on it, then threw it into the crowd. That gave Gargano a second wind which ended up with him putting Ciampa through a table. Ciampa was then getting put on a stretcher and you could see the insanity on Gargano’s face. Gargano snapped and took Ciampa from the medical staff, beat down the WWE staff and unleashed hell on Ciampa. Just when you thought Gargano was going to win, Ciampa somehow with his hands cuffed slammed Gargano head first into the exposed wood of the ring. Ciampa then got the pinfall and won what was a hellacious second chapter to this insane feud. The crowd was shocked and absolutely silent. Nobody could believe the way it ended. I don’t know how they managed to top the first match between these two, but they did. We all know Gargano vs. Ciampa III is coming, and I have NO IDEA how they’re going to top this! 10/10 Ciampa wins via pinfall.
Final Thoughts
This PPV was another amazing show WWE should be proud of. With exception to the Women’s Championship, every match was incredible! I wasn’t sure if anything could top Velveteen Dream and Ricochet’s match but then Ciampa vs. Gargano happened. Both were absolute show stealers and to be able to see both in the same night just goes to show how strong the NXT roster is. Gargano vs. Ciampa III will be a must see (whenever that may be) and I’d love to see Ricochet get a title shot in the near future whether it be the North American or NXT Championship Title. Also, I hope Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch don’t get completely overshadowed in the future because they really proved their worth tonight. And for the Women’s Division? I’d love to see someone like Kairi Zayn get a shot against Baszler or even to see Dakota Kai get some sweet revenge. Either way, the future for NXT continues to look as bright as ever! Final Score: 9/10
The Magical World of Dids 