WWE Elimination Chamber took place on Sunday 17th February at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. There are only 7 matches on the card but we will see who will be the first ever WWE Women's Tag Team Champions. So let's take a look.
The match on the Kick Off Show was Akira Tozowa challenging Buddy Murphy for the Cruiserweight Championship. Murphy shrugs off Flair chops from Tozowa before catching him do a suicide dive and hitting with a suplex to the outside. Tozowa manages to make a comeback with multiple kicks. Both guys have a chance to win it before Tozowa hits a Senton from the rope to the back for 2. Tozowa puts Murphy in the Iron Octopus submission. However, Murphy powers out of it and hits Murphy's Law to get the win. This was a really good match and a great way to start the event.
Winner: Buddy Murphy (1 for 1)
The first match of the show is a Elimination Chamber Match to crown the first ever WWE Women's Tag Team Champions consisting of the teams of Nia Jax and Tamina, The IIconics, Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan, Sasha Banks and Bayley, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville and Carmella and Naomi. Sasha and Bayley and Mandy and Sonya start the match. Sarah and Liv then enter the match followed by The IIonics and then Carmella and Naomi. Unfortunately, Billie and Peyton team up to do a beautiful pinning combination on Naomi to eliminate them. Nia and Tamina then enter and proceed to destroy everyone. The IIconics get eliminated when they hit with stereo Samoan Drops by Nia and Tamina. Liv and Sarah then get eliminated when Liv gets hit by a Samoan Drop from the middle rope followed by a Superfly Splash by Tamina. Nia then tries to spear Bayley but misses and goes crashing through one of the pads. This gives everyone else the chance to team up and pin Tamina to eliminate her and Nia. Sasha and Bayley come very close to winning when Sonya gets hit with a back stabber by Sasha followed by a Belly-to-Bayley by Bayley but Mandy just about breaks up the pin. In the end, Sasha gets Sonya to submit using a modified Banks Statement to get the win.
This match was a lot of fun with some really cool spots. The IIonics, as always, were great to watch and I thought all the women performed really well. Sasha and Bayley were probably the best choice to win this and I hope they have a long and significant reign.
Winners: Sasha Banks and Bayley (2 for 2)
The next match is for the Smackdown Tag Team Championships as Hollywood Miz and "Best in the World" Shane McMahon face the challenge of The Usos. Miz and Shane work well together before The Usos bounce Miz's neck off the rope to get the advantage. Miz manages to get the hot tag to Shane and he does a Coast-to-Coast to Jimmy. The match goes into a back and forth affair and The Miz goes to hit the Skull Crushing Finale on Jimmy. However, Jimmy manages to reverse Miz's cover into a crucifix pin to get the win and to the shock of The Miz. Even though I'm not a big fan of the whole Miz/Shane tag team, this was quite a good match. They have a rematch at Fastlane so hopefully they'll lose that and lead to Miz betraying Shane.
Winners: The Usos (2 for 3)
We now get a handicap match for the Intercontinental Championship as Finn Balor challenges Lio Rush and Bobby Lashley. Rush distracts Balor long enough for Lashley to slam him into the barrier. Lashley and Rush are completely dominant. However, Rush's arrogance leads to him missing a frogsplash, giving Balor a chance to make a comeback and isolate Rush. Balor goes on to hit the Coup de Grace to pin Rush and become the new Intercontinental Champion. Afterwards, Lashley chokeslams Rush. The match was pretty good. However, I hope that it doesn't lead to the break up of Rush and Lashley as I think they work well together.
Winner: Finn Balor (3 for 4)
Next is Ruby Riott challenging Ronda Rousey for the RAW Women's Championship with Charlotte Flair watching at ringside. Ruby starts well but Ronda quickly hits Piper's Pit then gets Ruby to submit to the armbar. Wait, that was it?! Afterwards, Charlotte gets into the ring and "The Man" Becky Lynch, who hasn't grasped what a suspension actually means, arrives and beats the fuck out of Charlotte and Ronda with her crutches. I felt that the match was pointless as it just led to what happened afterwards, which was judged as more important by WWE.
Winner: Ronda Rousey (4 for 5)
We now get a no disqualification match between Baron Corbin and Braun Strowman. Near the beginning, Corbin uses a kendo stick against Strowman and later on, the steel steps. Strowman deals with it and after crashing Corbin through a table, Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley come down and beat Strowman with chairs. They go on to dominate Strowman and Shield Bomb him through two tables. Corbin then pins him to get the win. The match was ok and I wasn't a big fan of the ending.
Winner: Baron Corbin (4 for 6)
After we see Hollywood Miz spit the dummy over the loss he suffered earlier, a pointless cameo by Lacey Evans and multiple adverts, we get our main event. "The New" Daniel Bryan facing the challenges of Kofi Kingston, Samoa Joe, Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy and AJ Styles. Joe and Bryan start the match and Kingston is the next one to enter. This was followed by Styles and Joe was the first to be eliminated thanks to a Phenomenal Forearm by Styles. Hardy then enters but, after hitting a Swanton Bomb to Styles' back, he gets creamed by a running knee by Bryan to get eliminated. Orton is the last one to enter and eliminates Styles after countering a Phenomenal Forearm into a RKO. Kingston then eliminates Orton with a Trouble in Paradise, leaving him and Bryan. Kingston hits big moves such the SOS and Bryan comes close with another running knee. In the end, Kingston misses a splash off one of the pods. Bryan then kills him with a 3rd running knee to get the win.
This was a really good match and I loved the contest between Kingston and Bryan at the end, which had some amazing near falls. There's been some talk about Kingston getting a main event push and, based on them having another match at Fastlane, it looks that way. Hopefully it won't be a temporary measure.
Winner: Daniel Bryan (5 for 7)
Except for a significant lull in the middle, I thought that Elimination Chamber was pretty good. Hopefully, Fastlane will be the same and we get a good road to Wrestlemania.
Saturday 23 February 2019
Sunday 17 February 2019
WWE Elimination Chamber 2019 Preview
WWE Elimination Chamber 2019 will be taking place this evening at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. There are 7 matches on the card plus we will see the first ever Women's Tag Team Champions crowned. So, let's take a look at the card.
Buddy Murphy vs Akira Tozowa
Cruiserweight Championship
This should be a good match and I'm going for Murphy to retain.
Predicted Winner: Buddy Murphy
Braun Strowman vs Baron Corbin
No Disqualification Match
I think that Strowman will find a way to win.
Predicted Winner: Braun Strowman
Hollywood Miz and "Best in the World" Shane McMahon vs The Usos
Smackdown Tag Team Championship
I really want The Usos but I think that Miz and Shane will retain.
Predicted Winners: The Miz and Shane McMahon
Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush vs Finn Balor
Intercontinental Championship
I feel that Balor will find a way to win here.
Predicted Winner: Finn Balor
Ronda Rousey vs Ruby Riott
RAW Women's Championship
It will be a tough one for Ronda but I think she will go on to win here.
Predicted Winner: Ruby Riott
"The New" Daniel Bryan vs Samoa Joe vs Kofi Kingston vs AJ Styles vs Jeff Hardy vs Randy Orton
Elimination Chamber Match for the WWE Championship
This should be a fun match to watch and I think that Bryan will win here.
Predicted Winner: Daniel Bryan
Sasha Banks and Bayley vs Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan vs The IIonics vs Naomi and Carmella vs Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville vs Nia Jax and Tamina
Elimination Chamber for the Women's Tag Team Championship
A tough one to call but I'm going for Sasha and Bayley to be the inaugural Women's Tag TEa, Champions
Predicted Winners: Sasha Banks and Bayley
It will be a couple of days before I get to see it so the review will be up before the end of the week. Until then, I hope you guys enjoy the show.
Saturday 16 February 2019
WWE Royal Rumble 2019 Review
The Road to Wrestlemania 35 got underway at the 2019 Royal Rumble from Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. There are 10 matches on the card so let's take a look.
There were 3 matches on the Kick Off Show and we start with an unusual one. Rezar from AOP teams up with Scott Dawson from The Revival to challenge "Glorious" Bobby Roode and Chad Gable for the RAW Tag Team Championships. Gable misses a dropkick then gets swung into a chokeslam by Rezar to give him and Dawson the advantage. Eventually, Gable gets to tag in Roode and they go on to get the win after they hit a neckbreaker/moonsault combo on Dawson. The match was ok, nothing special.
Winners: Bobby Roode and Chad Gable (1 for 1)
The second match was Shinsuke Nakamura challenging Rusev for the United States Championship. After a quick start, the match goes to the outside and Nakamura does a kick off the steel steps to gain the advantage. Rusev gets back into it and goes for the Accolade but Nakamura avoids it and the match goes back and forth. Nakamura resorts to cheating by removing the turnbuckle and Lana gets involved, standing up on the apron, trying to tell the referee. Rusev accidentally knocks Lana off the apron and Nakamura takes advantage, hitting Rusev with the Kinshasa to the back of the neck to get the win. The match was pretty good but the ending made the referee Danilo Anfibio look like an idiot. Nakamura is cheating right next to him, yet Anfibio thought that Lana standing on the apron was more serious. A bit stupid if you ask me.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura (1 for 2)
The final match on the Kick Off Show was for the Cruiserweight Championship as Buddy Murphy faces the challenges of Akira Tozowa, Kalisto and Hideo Itami in a Fatal 4-Way match. Murphy uses his strength to dominate Kalisto and Tozowa before he takes on Itami. There were a couple of really cool spots including Kalisto monkey flipping Tozowa into Murphy on the outside. After Murphy knees Tozowa and Kalisto, he knees Itami then hits him with Murphy's Law to get the win. This was a really fun match to watch.
Winner: Buddy Murphy (2 for 3)
The first match of the show is for the Smackdown Women's Championship as "The Man" Becky Lynch challenges Asuka. Lynch goes well in the early going before the fight goes to the outside and she hits an exploder suplex, sending her into the barrier. After she puts Becky in the Asuka Lock through the ropes, Asuka is able to get some more offence in. The match goes back and forth and Lynch comes close after hitting a super Bex-ploder for 2. Both women trade submissions before Auska is able to put on the Asuka Lock and then bridge it to put on more pressure and force Lynch to tap out. This match was really good and a great way to start the show.
Winner: Asuka (3 for 4)
The next match is for the Smackdown Tag Team Championships as Hollywood Miz and "Best in the World" Shane McMahon challenge The Bar. Cesaro hits Miz with a running European uppercut to get his team the advantage and they continue to beat the fuck out of both of them. Eventually, Miz hits a back body drop to Cesaro, giving him the chance to tag in Shane. Sheamus accidentally hits Cesaro with a Brogue Kick and this gives Shane the chance to hit the Shooting Star Press on Cesaro to get the win...? Oh, for fuck's sake. I felt that the story of the match was all wrong,. I feel that it should have been Shane who got beaten up and Miz get the win. Hopefully, this will be a short title reign.
Winners: The Miz and Shane McMahon (3 for 5)
We now get our second Women's Championship match as Sasha Banks challenges Ronda Rousey for the RAW Women's Championship. Early on, they both to do their submissions then when the fight goes to the outside, Ronda accidentally elbows the ring post. This gives Sasha the opportunity to take the advantage, focusing on that elbow and arm. Sasha goes on to avoid the Piper's Pit and put on a brutal armbar. Ronda gets back into it but Sasha manages to apply the Banks Statement followed by an armbar. However, Ronda gets out of it and hits a gutwrench slam followed by the Piper's Pit to get the win. This match was pretty good between the two.
Winner: Ronda Rousey (4 for 6)
Next is the second ever Womens' Royal Rumble Match. The first two to come out were Lacey Evans and Natalya. Liv Morgan, who came in at number 4, is the first one to be eliminated by Natalya after 8 seconds. Other highlights of the match include:
I thought this was a really good Rumble Match and I liked the twist with Becky replacing Lana and going on to win. Becky goes to challenge Ronda Rousey at Wrestlemania but recent events have put that in jeopardy.
Winner: Becky Lynch (N/A)
Now we get AJ Styles challenging "The New" Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship. The match is pretty even to begin with before Bryan starts to focus on the left shoulder of Styles. The match then goes back and forth with Styles doing a beautiful moonsault into a reverse DDT on the outside. When Styles hits a Pele Kick, we see Erick Rowan come down. Bryan accidentally hits the referee with an enziguri and, after Styles hits Bryan with a Styles Clash, Rowan hits Styles with a Chokeslam. The referee conveniently recovers when Bryan covers Styles and gets the win. Afterwards, Bryan hits a running knee on Styles. Whilst it was at a slower pace than I expected, I quite enjoyed it. However, I wasn't a fan of the ending as I don't think that Bryan needs someone like Rowan to be a sidekick.
Winner: Daniel Bryan (5 for 7)
The penultimate match is for the Universal Championship as Finn Balor challenges Brock Lensar. Balor goes after Lesnar as soon as the bell rings. However, Lesnar hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex, sending Balor flying out of the ring. Despite getting thrown into the corner of the announce table, Lesnar continues to hit Balor with brutal overhead belly-to-belly suplexes. Unfortunately, Lesnar's injury starts to hamper his offence, giving Balor an opening. Balor goes to hit the Coup de Grace but Lesnar kicks out and immediately applies the Kimura to get the win by submission. Lesnar celebrates by suplexing Balor to death. This match was short as I expected but quite fun to watch.
Winner: Brock Lesnar (6 for 8)
The main event is the men's Royal Rumble Match. The first two to take part are Elias and WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett. Other highlights of the match include:
There were 3 matches on the Kick Off Show and we start with an unusual one. Rezar from AOP teams up with Scott Dawson from The Revival to challenge "Glorious" Bobby Roode and Chad Gable for the RAW Tag Team Championships. Gable misses a dropkick then gets swung into a chokeslam by Rezar to give him and Dawson the advantage. Eventually, Gable gets to tag in Roode and they go on to get the win after they hit a neckbreaker/moonsault combo on Dawson. The match was ok, nothing special.
Winners: Bobby Roode and Chad Gable (1 for 1)
The second match was Shinsuke Nakamura challenging Rusev for the United States Championship. After a quick start, the match goes to the outside and Nakamura does a kick off the steel steps to gain the advantage. Rusev gets back into it and goes for the Accolade but Nakamura avoids it and the match goes back and forth. Nakamura resorts to cheating by removing the turnbuckle and Lana gets involved, standing up on the apron, trying to tell the referee. Rusev accidentally knocks Lana off the apron and Nakamura takes advantage, hitting Rusev with the Kinshasa to the back of the neck to get the win. The match was pretty good but the ending made the referee Danilo Anfibio look like an idiot. Nakamura is cheating right next to him, yet Anfibio thought that Lana standing on the apron was more serious. A bit stupid if you ask me.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura (1 for 2)
The final match on the Kick Off Show was for the Cruiserweight Championship as Buddy Murphy faces the challenges of Akira Tozowa, Kalisto and Hideo Itami in a Fatal 4-Way match. Murphy uses his strength to dominate Kalisto and Tozowa before he takes on Itami. There were a couple of really cool spots including Kalisto monkey flipping Tozowa into Murphy on the outside. After Murphy knees Tozowa and Kalisto, he knees Itami then hits him with Murphy's Law to get the win. This was a really fun match to watch.
Winner: Buddy Murphy (2 for 3)
The first match of the show is for the Smackdown Women's Championship as "The Man" Becky Lynch challenges Asuka. Lynch goes well in the early going before the fight goes to the outside and she hits an exploder suplex, sending her into the barrier. After she puts Becky in the Asuka Lock through the ropes, Asuka is able to get some more offence in. The match goes back and forth and Lynch comes close after hitting a super Bex-ploder for 2. Both women trade submissions before Auska is able to put on the Asuka Lock and then bridge it to put on more pressure and force Lynch to tap out. This match was really good and a great way to start the show.
Winner: Asuka (3 for 4)
The next match is for the Smackdown Tag Team Championships as Hollywood Miz and "Best in the World" Shane McMahon challenge The Bar. Cesaro hits Miz with a running European uppercut to get his team the advantage and they continue to beat the fuck out of both of them. Eventually, Miz hits a back body drop to Cesaro, giving him the chance to tag in Shane. Sheamus accidentally hits Cesaro with a Brogue Kick and this gives Shane the chance to hit the Shooting Star Press on Cesaro to get the win...? Oh, for fuck's sake. I felt that the story of the match was all wrong,. I feel that it should have been Shane who got beaten up and Miz get the win. Hopefully, this will be a short title reign.
Winners: The Miz and Shane McMahon (3 for 5)
We now get our second Women's Championship match as Sasha Banks challenges Ronda Rousey for the RAW Women's Championship. Early on, they both to do their submissions then when the fight goes to the outside, Ronda accidentally elbows the ring post. This gives Sasha the opportunity to take the advantage, focusing on that elbow and arm. Sasha goes on to avoid the Piper's Pit and put on a brutal armbar. Ronda gets back into it but Sasha manages to apply the Banks Statement followed by an armbar. However, Ronda gets out of it and hits a gutwrench slam followed by the Piper's Pit to get the win. This match was pretty good between the two.
Winner: Ronda Rousey (4 for 6)
Next is the second ever Womens' Royal Rumble Match. The first two to come out were Lacey Evans and Natalya. Liv Morgan, who came in at number 4, is the first one to be eliminated by Natalya after 8 seconds. Other highlights of the match include:
- Billie Kay coming in at number 7 and refusing to get in the ring without her friend Peyton Royce. She doesn't have to wait long as Peyton comes in at number 9.
- Getting to see NXT wrestlers Xia Li, Kairi Sane, Candace LeRae, Kacy Catanzaro, Io Shirai and Rhea Ripley
- Ember Moon saving herself from elimination by hanging on to the bottom rope with her toes.
- Naomi trying to save herself from elimination by doing a handstand onto the barrier, walking along it then jumping onto the steel steps. Unfortunately, Mandy Rose, who Naomi had just eliminated, pulls her from the steps to eliminate her then beats down on her.
- Zelina Vega hiding under the ring leading to a cameo by Hornswoggle.
- Catanzaro saving herself from elimination by landing on her back (both feet have to touch the floor), doing a handstand to the ring post then climbing up it.
- Alexa Bliss making her return to the ring for the first time since September
I thought this was a really good Rumble Match and I liked the twist with Becky replacing Lana and going on to win. Becky goes to challenge Ronda Rousey at Wrestlemania but recent events have put that in jeopardy.
Winner: Becky Lynch (N/A)
Now we get AJ Styles challenging "The New" Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship. The match is pretty even to begin with before Bryan starts to focus on the left shoulder of Styles. The match then goes back and forth with Styles doing a beautiful moonsault into a reverse DDT on the outside. When Styles hits a Pele Kick, we see Erick Rowan come down. Bryan accidentally hits the referee with an enziguri and, after Styles hits Bryan with a Styles Clash, Rowan hits Styles with a Chokeslam. The referee conveniently recovers when Bryan covers Styles and gets the win. Afterwards, Bryan hits a running knee on Styles. Whilst it was at a slower pace than I expected, I quite enjoyed it. However, I wasn't a fan of the ending as I don't think that Bryan needs someone like Rowan to be a sidekick.
Winner: Daniel Bryan (5 for 7)
The penultimate match is for the Universal Championship as Finn Balor challenges Brock Lensar. Balor goes after Lesnar as soon as the bell rings. However, Lesnar hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex, sending Balor flying out of the ring. Despite getting thrown into the corner of the announce table, Lesnar continues to hit Balor with brutal overhead belly-to-belly suplexes. Unfortunately, Lesnar's injury starts to hamper his offence, giving Balor an opening. Balor goes to hit the Coup de Grace but Lesnar kicks out and immediately applies the Kimura to get the win by submission. Lesnar celebrates by suplexing Balor to death. This match was short as I expected but quite fun to watch.
Winner: Brock Lesnar (6 for 8)
The main event is the men's Royal Rumble Match. The first two to take part are Elias and WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett. Other highlights of the match include:
- Seeing NXT wrestlers Johnny Gargano, Pete Dunne and Aleister Black
- Titus O'Neill not tripping and sliding under the ring to the cheers of the crowd
- Kofi Kingston saving himself from elimination from keeping his feet on the apron and cartwheeling himself to the steps. Later on, Xavier Woods saves him from elimination.
- No Way Jose dancing his way to the ring with a conga line, getting eliminated almost immediately by Samoa Joe, then dancing on his way back. Unfortunately, Drew McIntyre attacks him and most of the conga line when he comes out.
- Bobby Lashley gets eliminated almost immediately by Seth Rollins. Lashley doesn't take that well and chokeslams Rollins through the German announce table.
This match was pretty decent with nothing too much that stands out. What I found interesting was having Nia Jax in the match. I was annoyed that both Rumble matches had wrestlers getting replaced near the end. Despite that, it was refreshing to see some actual intergender wrestling in the WWE. I don't know if they will but I hope that WWE will explore that further.
Winner: Seth Rollins (7 for 9)
Winner: Seth Rollins (7 for 9)
I thought that the Royal Rumble was pretty good. Most of the matches were good and I'm interested to see how the Road to Wrestlemania will go.
Tuesday 5 February 2019
NXT Takeover: Phoenix Review
The first NXT Takeover of the year took place at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday 26th January. The card looks really good so let's take a look.
The first match of the show is for the NXT Tag Team Championships as The War Raiders challenge The Undisputed Era. Strong and O'Reilly go at their opponents immediately but it doesn't last long. They get the advantage after sending Rowe into Hanson. The match then goes back and forth before The War Raiders come close after a splash by Hanson on O'Reilly. The Undisputed Era hit the Hi-Lo but Hanson kicks out. In the end, after hitting a powerslam/powerbomb combo, Hanson and Rowe hit O'Reilly with the Fallout to get the win and become the new NXT Tag Team Champions. This match was so much fun and a great way to start the show.
Winners: The War Radiers (1 for 1)
Next is Matt Riddle taking on Kassius Ohno. Ohno gets the advantage after trapping Riddle's head in the apron and stamping on it. Ohno contimued his advantage by sending him into the ring post and steel steps. When Riddle tries to make a comeback, Ohno attacks his bare feet. Riddle eventually gets back into it and hits a sleeper suplex followed by continuous elbows and forearms to the back of the head to get Ohno to tap out. This was a good match between the two and hopefully Riddle can move on to someone else.
Winner: Matt Riddle (2 for 2)
Now a match I was really looking forward to seeing: Johnny Gargano challenging Ricochet for the NXT North American Championship. After we get some chain wrestling, Ricochet does a beautiful Asai moonsault to the outside. Gargano reverses a hurracarrana to bounce Ricochet's head off the top turnbuckle and get the advantage. Ricochet hits a springbaord 450 to almost get the win; then Gargano hits a reverse hurracarrana followed by a slingshot DDT to get a near fall. Gargano gets frustrated and exposes the floor but stops himself from hitting Ricochet with a DDT to the floor. Ricochet puts Gargano in the Garga-No Escape but Gargano gets out of it and goes on to suplex Ricochet on the exposed floor. Gargano then hits another slingshot DDT to get the win. This was an amazing match between the two and I hope they have a rematch in the near future.
Winner: Johnny Gargano (3 for 3)
The penultimate match is Bianca Belair challenging Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women's Championship. Baszler uses Belair's hair against her when she uses it to send Belair into the ring post. Baszler then focuses on Belair's left arm and shoulder. Belair makes her comeback but her injured shoulder hampers it and has to whip Baszler with her hair. Baszler pushes Belair into the referee Jessika Carr and this gives Baszler's lackeys Jessamyn Duke and and Marina Shafir the chance to help Baszler out. Belair deals with them but Baszler applies the Kirifuda Clutch, which Belair manages to get out of with a suplex. Belair goes for the 450 splash but misses and Baszler again applies the Kirifuda Clutch. Belair can't get out of it and passes out, giving Baszler the win. This was a good match but I don't really think it needed the interference of Duke and Shafir.
Winner: Shayna Baszler (4 for 4)
The main event is for the NXT Championship as Aleister Black challenges Tommaso "Fuckface" Ciampa. Black tweaks his knee when he does a suicide dive to the outside and Ciampa takes advantage of that by slamming it against the steel steps. Ciampa continues his attack on the knee by slamming into the ropes and ring posts. Black gets back into it and manages to hit a brain buster for 2. Ciampa hits the Fairy Tale Ending but Black kicks out at 2. Ciampa, being inspired by Gargano earlier in the night, and exposes the floor. Black goes on to hit Black Mask but he can't get the pin. Ciampa then goes on to hit 3 Fairy Tale Endings to eventually get the win. Afterwards, Johnny Gargano comes out and they hold up their belts on the stage. This leads to a massive brawl involving Velveteen Dream, Black, Ricochet and Adam Cole (Bay Bay!)
This match was really good and I enjoyed the back and forth between the two. It looks increasingly likely that Gargano and Ciampa will get back together and I can't wait to see where that will lead.
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa (5 for 5)
I really enjoyed Takeover Phoenix. NXT seems to be getting better and better and long may that continue.
The first match of the show is for the NXT Tag Team Championships as The War Raiders challenge The Undisputed Era. Strong and O'Reilly go at their opponents immediately but it doesn't last long. They get the advantage after sending Rowe into Hanson. The match then goes back and forth before The War Raiders come close after a splash by Hanson on O'Reilly. The Undisputed Era hit the Hi-Lo but Hanson kicks out. In the end, after hitting a powerslam/powerbomb combo, Hanson and Rowe hit O'Reilly with the Fallout to get the win and become the new NXT Tag Team Champions. This match was so much fun and a great way to start the show.
Winners: The War Radiers (1 for 1)
Next is Matt Riddle taking on Kassius Ohno. Ohno gets the advantage after trapping Riddle's head in the apron and stamping on it. Ohno contimued his advantage by sending him into the ring post and steel steps. When Riddle tries to make a comeback, Ohno attacks his bare feet. Riddle eventually gets back into it and hits a sleeper suplex followed by continuous elbows and forearms to the back of the head to get Ohno to tap out. This was a good match between the two and hopefully Riddle can move on to someone else.
Winner: Matt Riddle (2 for 2)
Now a match I was really looking forward to seeing: Johnny Gargano challenging Ricochet for the NXT North American Championship. After we get some chain wrestling, Ricochet does a beautiful Asai moonsault to the outside. Gargano reverses a hurracarrana to bounce Ricochet's head off the top turnbuckle and get the advantage. Ricochet hits a springbaord 450 to almost get the win; then Gargano hits a reverse hurracarrana followed by a slingshot DDT to get a near fall. Gargano gets frustrated and exposes the floor but stops himself from hitting Ricochet with a DDT to the floor. Ricochet puts Gargano in the Garga-No Escape but Gargano gets out of it and goes on to suplex Ricochet on the exposed floor. Gargano then hits another slingshot DDT to get the win. This was an amazing match between the two and I hope they have a rematch in the near future.
Winner: Johnny Gargano (3 for 3)
The penultimate match is Bianca Belair challenging Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women's Championship. Baszler uses Belair's hair against her when she uses it to send Belair into the ring post. Baszler then focuses on Belair's left arm and shoulder. Belair makes her comeback but her injured shoulder hampers it and has to whip Baszler with her hair. Baszler pushes Belair into the referee Jessika Carr and this gives Baszler's lackeys Jessamyn Duke and and Marina Shafir the chance to help Baszler out. Belair deals with them but Baszler applies the Kirifuda Clutch, which Belair manages to get out of with a suplex. Belair goes for the 450 splash but misses and Baszler again applies the Kirifuda Clutch. Belair can't get out of it and passes out, giving Baszler the win. This was a good match but I don't really think it needed the interference of Duke and Shafir.
Winner: Shayna Baszler (4 for 4)
The main event is for the NXT Championship as Aleister Black challenges Tommaso "Fuckface" Ciampa. Black tweaks his knee when he does a suicide dive to the outside and Ciampa takes advantage of that by slamming it against the steel steps. Ciampa continues his attack on the knee by slamming into the ropes and ring posts. Black gets back into it and manages to hit a brain buster for 2. Ciampa hits the Fairy Tale Ending but Black kicks out at 2. Ciampa, being inspired by Gargano earlier in the night, and exposes the floor. Black goes on to hit Black Mask but he can't get the pin. Ciampa then goes on to hit 3 Fairy Tale Endings to eventually get the win. Afterwards, Johnny Gargano comes out and they hold up their belts on the stage. This leads to a massive brawl involving Velveteen Dream, Black, Ricochet and Adam Cole (Bay Bay!)
This match was really good and I enjoyed the back and forth between the two. It looks increasingly likely that Gargano and Ciampa will get back together and I can't wait to see where that will lead.
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa (5 for 5)
I really enjoyed Takeover Phoenix. NXT seems to be getting better and better and long may that continue.
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