Last night, we had NXTTakeover XXV and we didn’t have a main roster PPV. If you’re a wrestling fan, these last few weeks have been amazing. Two weeks ago, we had Money in the Bank. Last week, All Elite Wrestling has their debut PPV, Double or Nothing. It’s crazy to think it’s been five years since NXT started their Takeover events. In the main event, Johnny Gargano put up his NXT Championship against Adam Cole in a rematch of the last NXTTakeover. Velveteen Dream defended his North American title against the returning Tyler Breeze. The Street Profits, The Undisputed Era, The Forgotten Sons and Oney Larcan & Danny Burch fought for the vacant Tag titles in a Ladder Match. Shayna Baszler put her Women’s Championship Against Io Shari. We also had Matt Riddle taking on Roderick Strong. Let’s see how things turned out.
The evening started with Matt Riddle taking on Roderick Strong. Matt Riddle can and will be one of the future cornerstones in the WWE. With Roderick Strong, he’s the veteran that can make anyone look great in the ring. These two put on a clinic and the match was very physical. Strong and Riddle put on a great wrestling match that was full of knee strikes and elbows. They fought on the inside and outside of the ring. Riddle fights but Strong re-positions and puts his knee in Riddle’s back while in the middle of the ring. Riddle fights out with kicks. Strong drops down but Riddle beats him with elbows. Riddle goes into the Bro-mission now. Strong fights it but Riddle keeps the elbows coming. Strong fights to his feet but Riddle hits more elbows. Riddle goes on and hits the Bro-stroyer Tombstone piledriver for the pin to win. Winner: Matt Riddle
Match Rating: 3.75/5- Great opening to match from these two.
This was the Ladder Match for the Vacant NXT Tag Team Championships vacated by the War Raiders. The Undisputed Era is trying to become the first 3-time tag champs. The Forgotten Sons, the Street Profits and Oney Larcan & Danny Burch are trying to capture their first titles. This match was full of crazy spots and I’m pretty sure Kyle O’Reilly is still in pain. Honestly, there’s no review that could do this match justice because there was so much carnage. Jaxson Ryker of the Forgotten Sons appeared and beat everyone up. The other three teams combined and beat down Ryker. In the end, Ford and Dawkins end up stopping Forgotten Sons from climbing. Ford climbs up and grabs the titles for the win. Winners and New NXT Tag Team Champs: The Street Profits
Match Rating: 4/5
We had the returning Tyler Breeze taking on Velveteen Dream for the North American Championship. Tyler Breeze has returned to his roots of NXT and he targeted Velveteen Dream. This was another great match on this card, and it proved that Breeze is a major player. This match was full of nearfalls and both guys showing each other up. They hit each other with their own finishers in this match also. In the end, Breeze goes back to the apron to take the title from Dream’s hands. He hands it to the referee and turns around to the big Dream Valley Driver from Dream. Dream goes to the top and hits the Purple Rainmaker elbow drop for the pin to retain. Winner and Still NXT North American Champion: Velveteen Dream
Match Rating: 3.5/5- Another great match and in the end, Breeze got Dream to take a selfie with him to the delight of the fans.
Shayna Baszler put up her NXT Women’s Championship against Io Shari. Baszler is one of the ladies I’ve loved to watch because of her old-school feel. Baszler find a body part to work on and she punishes you. With Shari, she’s an amazing wrestler and I’ll be honest, I’ve got the biggest crush on her. This match was what we all expected with Shari flying all over the place. Baszler was the punisher as she worked on the arm of Shari. Two of the Horsewomen appeared, but Candice LeRae. Baszler goes into the Kirifuda Clutch again but Shirai hangs on. Baszler keeps the hold locked in as fans chant for Shirai. Baszler starts to rag doll Shirai while Shirai fades in the hold. Fans try to rally for Shirai as Baszler keeps the hold applied. Shirai is fading but reaching for the ropes and eventually taps. Winner and Still NXT Women’s Champ: Shayna Baszler
Match Rating: 3.5/5- Another great match! After the match, Shari attacked Baszler and beat her down. Shari used the kendo stick to continue beating down the champ. In the end, Shari grabbed a chair and hit a moonsault onto Baszler with the chair. The crowd was going crazy and she left the ring as Baszler had welts on her back.
We finally arrive at the main event as Gargano defended his NXT Championship against Adam Cole. This is a rematch from the last Takeover which was a 2-out-of-3 falls match. Coming into the match, it was rumored that Gargano was dealing with some sort of knee injury. This match was freakin amazing and had you on the edge of your seat. The match had nearfalls, both guys hitting the others finisher and the crowd ate it up. The crowd was even chanting for them to fight forever. Cole comes over and grabs Gargano, but Gargano pulls him into the Gargano Escape in the middle of the ring. Cole goes for the bottom rope, but Gargano rolls him back into the middle of the ring. Cole fights out and breaks the hold. Cole with superkicks. Cole goes to the top.
Gargano blocks the Panama Sunrise and they trade 2 counts. Cole hits the Sunrise this time. Cole follows up with a Last Shot for the pin to win the title. Winner and New NXT Champion: Adam Cole
Match Rating: 4.5/5- Wow! Another instant classic from these two!
Overall Rating: 8/10- This was an amazing Takeover event! Honestly, this is why NXT is the best promotion going today. All the matches delivered, and the main event is a Match of the Year candidate. Below are my top 3 matches of NXTTakeover XXV.
- Johnny Gargano© vs. Adam Cole
- The Street Profits vs. The Undisputed Era vs. The Forgotten Sons vs. Oney Larcan & Danny Burch
- Matt Riddle vs. Roderick Strong
Did you check out NXTTakeover XXV? What did you think about NXTTakeover XXV? What were your favorite moments and matches from NXTTakeover XXV? Leave some feedback below.
