NXT Takeover: The End of the Beginning - Review

As the title says, here is my review of Takeover.  Let's go match by match shall we.

- Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Tye Dillinger

 

This match was more competitive then I thought they would make it.  With a few interesting spots like Dillinger hitting with a superkick while Almas was doing a head stand on the second turnbuckle.  But as predicted Almas picks up the win with a running double knee in the corner.

 

- American Alpha vs. The Revival

 

This might be my favorite match of the night.  These two teams just have an insane amount of in ring chemistry.  While not as good as the first match between these teams it is still packed with things to love.  Gable reversing a move while up on someones shoulder (sorry I can never remember who is who on the revival) into a belly to belly.  There was a spot of chain wrestling that led into a double ankle lock by Gable and Jordan on the Revival, which hit me as a nod to Kurt Angle, who is rumored to want to come in as a manager for American Alpha, a double drop kick that brought back memories of the Rock'n Roll Express and a direct tribute to the Steiner Brothers with Jordan playing the roll or Rick.  However I got this one wrong.  The Revival winning the titles back with the Shatter Machine.

 

However after the match a new team debuted.  We don't know who they are yet.  But they seem to be managed by Paul Elluring.  For anyone that doesn't know the name he managed The Road Warriors also known as the Legion of Doom.  If you don't know them look them up ... seriously go now, do it.  What a rush!!

 

- Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Austin Aries

 

This match was solid, but didn't live up to my hopes for it.  But then I felt the same way the firs time I watched Nakamura and Sami Zayne.  It was only on a second viewing that I really started to appreciate it.  Maybe this one will be the same.  Either way a notable spot in it was a nice death valley driver (DVD) on the apron.  It was an even match Aries seemed to have a counter for everything Nakamura did.  But in the end it was Nakamura with the keisansha (or whatever the spelling is) for the win.

 

- Auska vs. Nia Jax 

 

They played this match perfectly.  Nia dominated and looked strong, but arrogant.  Auska had to give it everything she had.  In the end Auska found a way to slay the beast with a running kick to the head.

 

- Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe

 

I was a little surprised that the cage didn't come more into play here.  It was a solid match.  I have nothing negative to say about it.  It ended with a muscle buster from the second rope onto Finn Balor.  Samoa Joe retains the title.

 

I'd rate the show a solid B maybe a B+.  American Alpha v. the Revival gets match of the night.