Welcome to another NXT: Takeover special and this time it’s called Unstoppable. There were several big stories leading to this event and that could have a huge impact on what may happened. We wondered what would happen with the NXT Champ, Kevin Owens since he appeared on Monday Night Raw, attack John Cena and now have a match with him at the Elimination Chamber PPV. We also saw Hideo Itami being taken out and will be out several months with a shoulder injury, which made the triple threat match to determine the #1 contender for the NXT title a singles match now. Let’s see how things played out because I had high expectations anytime NXT has a special on the WWE Network. I’ve been so busy lately and with the holiday coming up so I apologize for posting this 6 days later.
We opened the show with the #1 contender match between Finn Balor and Tyler Breeze, both guys I believe should be on the main roster within 6 months. Both of their entrances were awesome, we had Breeze with all the models around him and Balor with the paint along with the spikes. The crowd was going crazy before the bell started and once things got started they definitely gave the fans a really good match. Great spots throughout the match, the fans were cheering from the start to the finish and the ending saw Balor hit the Double Stomp from the top rope to win the match. Winner and New #1 Contender for the NXT Title: Finn Balor
Match Rating: 3.5/5
We have a Divas tag match between Dana Brooke & Emma taking on Bayley & Charlotte. The big question for me here is why isn’t Charlotte on the main roster yet? To me, she’s clearly arguably the best Divas wrestler in the WWE even though Paige, Sasha Banks and Natalya could make that claim also. Just thinking about it, how awesome would a Fatal 4-Way match between those 4 would be for the Divas title. Charlotte started the match dominating Brook then it was Bayley’s turn but an Emma distraction stopped that. They worked over Bayley for a while until Charlotte got the hot tag and eventually finished off Emma with the Nature Selection. Winners: Charlotte & Bayley
Match Rating: 3/5
Here is a battle I was looking forward to as Rhino takes on Baron Corbin. For me, I believe if Corbin was to improve on his in-ring skills this dude could be a huge star on the main roster. Just imagine him being guided by someone like Paul Heyman because he has the look and I’ve been high on him since he first debuted. These two brawled as the match started with both guys hitting all types of power moves, punches and both hitting spinebusters also. Rhino set up for the Gore, but Corbin hit a big-time lariat out of nowhere followed by the End of Days for the win. Winner: Baron Corbin
Match Rating: 2.5/5
This is for the NXT tag team championship as the champions Blake & Murphy taking on Enzo Amore & Big Cass for the championships. This match saw everything including Divas fighting when Alexa Bliss came out to attack Carmella. In the end, Bliss hit Enzo allowing Murphy to pick up the win. Winners and Still Tag Champs: Blake & Murphy
Match Rating: 3/5
This is a battle for the NXT Divas Championship with the “The Boss” Sasha Banks defending her title against Becky Lynch, who debuted a new look which was AWESOME!!! This was a great match from these two ladies with a lot of action and nearfalls. Lynch get the armbar locked in, and eventually Banks makes it to the ropes to break the hold. Becky takes a breather on the outside; Banks does a suicidal dive through the ropes but Lynch actually catches her and slams her into the ring steps. She comes off the top rope looking for a cross body but gets caught in a crossface, and is forced to tap out. Winner and Still NXT Divas Champ: Sasha Banks
Match Rating: 4/5
Finally, we have the main event as the champ, Kevin Owens face the former champ in Sami Zayn. The tone of the match was set as Kevin Owens came to the ring with a John Cena shirt. As soon as the bell rings, Owens left the ring and Zayn chases after him. Sami tosses him with a back body drop on the floor. The challenger stalks his opponent around the ring, clotheslining him over the barricade and into the fans. They brawl around and Owens tries to powerbomb him into the cement, but Zayn hangs on to the metal risers in a cool spot, then drops the champ over the barricade and back to the ringside area. Eventually they roll back into the ring and we get a Blue Thunder Bomb for two-and-a-half. It’s all Sami so far. Huge half-and-half suplex for another nearfall. Finally, Owens counters a springboard DDT with a backbreaker, but Zayn dodges a cannonball splash and hits an exploder suplex into the bottom turnbuckle. He lines up for the helluva kick, but the champ leaves the ring; Zayn follows up and another exploder suplex into the floor! Helluva Kick attempt…Owens catches him with the pop-up powerbomb into the ring apron! The referees come down to check on Sami, but the champion continues his assault. There’s a whole heard of zebras out there, and they can’t stop K.O. from stomping away at him. The crowd chants “let them fight” but it’s not a fight at all, as Sami is pretty much out. They finally get to check on him, and Owens gives him a knee to the back of the head. He picks up Zayn and throws him into the steps, brutally beating down on him with rights and lefts. Medics are down now. Owens throws him back into the ring, looking to finish off the match, but referees swarm the ring and beg him to stop. He picks up the lifeless Zayn but William Regal rushes the ring and gets in his face. Owens backs off, and Regal rakes his eyes! The champ attacks the GM and throws him from the ring, grabbing his championship and a steel chair. He clears the rings of the medics and referees, but… loud horns blare over the speakers. OH SHIT IT’S SAMOA JOE!!!!! The crowd was chanting, “Joe’s Gonna Kill You”. They come face-to-face and Owens eventually back down and says ‘not tonight’ and ‘I did what I had to do’ before leaving. Winner and Still NXT Champ: Kevin Owens
Match Rating: 4.5/5- I added the extra half point because I had a mark out moment when Samoa Joe showed up.
Overall Rating: 8/10- Great show once again!!! All matches delivered and the crowd was especially great once again. I’m really hoping they come to the Atlanta area because I really want to see NXT live so badly now. The main event was great, Owens looked like a total badass and my question now is, what happens with Zayn now? Will he be out and have shoulder surgery and who will be the #1 contender for the NXT title between Balor, Samoa Joe and Zayn? When will Sasha Banks and Charlotte head to the main roster because they’re beyond ready?
What did you think about the NXT special? How would you rate the overall show? What were your highlights and lowlights? What was the best match of the night? What are your thoughts about Samoa Joe showing up? Leave a comment in the section below and tell me about it.
