NXT Takeover: New York Live

Follow along as the Starman recaps tonight’s NXT Takeover: New York event live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Preshow

Charly Caruso, Sam Roberts and Pat McAfee make up the panel for the preshow at the Barclays Center. The panel runs down the five announced matches, all of which are title matches.

A video package highlighting Velveteen Dream becoming the North American champion and Matt Riddle challenging him is aired. Roberts says Matt Riddle hasn’t been on this type of stage and is going to choke. McAfee disagrees and says Riddle is going to be ready for his big moment.

The panel then turns their attention to the Fatal 4 Way for the NXT Women’s Championship. A video package is aired that highlights Shayna Baszler’s dominance in the division while showing comments from Baszler, Bianca Belair, Io Shirai and Kairi Sane. Roberts thinks Belair deserves to be in tonight’s match even though she lost against Baszler at the last Takeover event in Phoenix. Charly brings up the fact that Baszler doesn’t need to be pinned to lose the title tonight while McAfee wonders if Shirai and Sane will turn on each other.

Footage of Pete Dunne and Walter arriving to the Barclays Center is aired before we are treated to video package previewing this match. Vic Joseph joins the panel and talks about Walter’s presence and aura and thinks that Pete Dunne wants to go up against Walter to prove his dominance. Joseph will be part of the announce team during the UK Championship match.

A video of Ricochet and Aleister Black winning the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic to earn a shot against the War Raiders for the NXT Tag Team Championship is aired. McAfee thinks the War Raiders have an advantage as Ricochet and Black aren’t a real tag team. Roberts says they won the Tag Team Classic and makes them a formidable opponent.

The Undisputed Era (Bobby Fish, Kyle O’Reilly, Rodrick Strong) are backstage who say Adam Cole will walk out tonight as the NXT Champion and that will start a new era in NXT.

Tonight will be the finals of the WWE 2K19 Million Dollar Challenge with Stephan T. Benson taking on AJ Styles. Four finalists were flown out to New York to compete with Benson coming out on top at WWE Axxess. Corey Graves and Xavier Woods come out to explain the rules of the tournament where the winner will face AJ Styles for a chance to win a million dollars. Benson and Styles come out as Benson turns on his inner heel to get the crowd to boo him. Benson picks Brock Lesnar and Styles plays as himself. The video game match starts and Benson quickly takes Styles down and takes him to Suplex City. Styles gets in one move before Benson takes over and pins Styles after hitting an F5 to win one million dollars.

We return to the preshown panel who hypes the main event as a video package is aired for the 2 out of 3 falls match between Johnny Gargano and Adam Cole. Charly wonders if Cole will be fighting alone tonight. Roberts thinks Cole will and brings up the fact that Gargano has only won one match at a Takeover event and needs to win two tonight. McAfee says a star will be born tonight with Gargano becoming the first triple crown winner in NXT.

NXT Takeover: New York

A video package highlighting past Takeover events at the Barclays Center is aired as the opening video package highlights the five matches on the card tonight. We join the announce team who talks about how it will be a historic tonight and we head into the first match of the night.

Match 1: War Raiders vs. Ricochet and Aleister Black (NXT Tag Team Championship)
The War Raiders make their way to the ring surrounded by four drum beating vikings. Black and Rowe starts things off with a series of counters and reversals until they show each other respect by pulling their punches and kicks. Ricochet and Hanson are tagged in as Ricochet dropkicks Hanson out to the floor. Black is tagged in and he sends Rowe out to the floor before he and Ricochet sit down in the ring. All four then stand in the ring and go back and forth with neither team having the advantage for long.

Ricochet picks up the first pin attempt on Rowe and Black is tagged in to continue wearing Rowe down. Rowe finally nails Black with a knee to the face as both Hanson and Ricochet are tagged into the match. Hanson takes both Ricochet and Black out with a series of clotheslines in the corners of the ring, but Ricochet is able to recover and takes Hanson down with a fallaway slam which gets a “Momma Mia!” chant from the crowd. Black and Rowe are tagged into the match and the two trade blows and knees in the middle of the ring until Black nearly pins Rowe with a German suplex and bridge.

Ricochet and Hanson are tagged back in as Hanson counters Ricochet’s handspring elbow with a handspring elbow of his own. The fans start a “This is awesome!” chant as Rowe is tagged in and the War Raiders take Ricochet down with some double team moves. Both Rowe and Hanson cover Ricochet but Black stomps on them from the top rope to break up the pin attempt. Black then tosses Hanson out to the floor and connects with a moonsault out to the floor. Rowe then takes Black out with a suicide dive before Ricochet takes Rowe out with a dive over the top rope. Hanson then climbs to the top rope and takes all three out with a moonsault out to the floor.

The referee starts the 10 count as both Ricochet and Rowe make it in just in time. The two trade blows in the middle of the ring until Ricochet connects with a kick. Black is tagged in and takes Rowe down with the Black Mass and Ricochet tags in and connects with a Shooting Star Press for the pin, but Hanson sends Black into them to break up the pin attempt. Ricochet then tries to hit the 630, but Hanson pulls Rowe out to the floor causing Ricochet to miss. Hanson is tagged in as the War Raiders take Ricochet out with Thor’s Hammer and then the Fallout to pick up the pin fall and retain the NXT Tag Team Championship.

The two teams embrace after the match in a sign of respect. The War Raiders then put down the titles and bow to Ricochet and Aleister Black before leaving the ring. Ricochet and Black get a standing ovation as Ricochet is seen getting emotional and the two bow to the crowd before leaving the ring.

Winners: The War Raiders defeated Ricochet and Aleister Black by pin fall to retain the NXT Tag Team Championship.

A video package highlighting the match between the Velveteen Dream and Matt Riddle for the NXT North American Championship is aired, which brings us into the next match of the night.

Match 2: Matt Riddle vs. Velveteen Dream (NXT North American Championship)
Velveteen Dream is seen carrying a torch and wearing a crown like the Statue of Liberty while being carried to the ring. The match starts and Riddle connects with a couple kicks and tries for an armbar, but Velveteen Dream retreats to the ropes. Riddle nearly locks in another armbar, but Dream is able to make it to the ropes. Dream then stomps on Riddle’s bare foot to gain the advantage for a moment. Dream hits Riddle with a series of axe handles, until Riddle goes out to the floor and counters Dream and takes him down with a German suplex on the floor.

The match returns to the ring where Riddle connects with a series of forearms and picks up a near fall after hitting a senton splash and a kick to the head. Riddle tries for an armbar but Dream is able to make it to the the ropes to break the hold. Dream is able to take Riddle down with a German suplex, but Riddle pops right up and takes Dream down with a knee to the face for another near fall. Dream keeps on retreating to the ropes to break up Riddle’s attacks as Riddle uses the five count to his advantage to get in a few blows, which gets the crowd to jeer him.

Riddle is able to lock in an arm bar, followed by a Go To Sleep and a German suplex for another near fall. Riddle then connects with a series of kicks until Dream begins to Hulk Up and takes Riddle down with a Fameasser for a near fall. Dream then goes for a high risk move, but Riddle counters with a knee to the face. Dream is able to recover and takes Riddle down with a Codebreaker for another near fall. Dream then connects with a superkick and hits a Dream DDT and a Dream Valley Driver before heading to the top rope and Riddle catches him in an armbar.

Dream is able to escape and Riddle takes Dream down with a German suplex from the middle rope and follows with a moonsault for another near fall over the champion, which gets the crowd in a frenzy. Riddle then hits a powerbomb and a knee to the face for a near fall. Riddle then locks Dream in the Bromission as Dream counters and rolls up Riddle to pick up the pin fall and retain the NXT North American Championship.

After the match, Riddle gets up and puts out his fist for a bro bump and Velveteen Dream knocks fists with him.

Winner: Velveteen Dream defeated Matt Riddle by pin fall to retain the NXT North American Championship.

Footage of Adam Cole getting ready for his match and Kushida signing with the WWE is aired. We then see a video package on the match between Pete Dunne and Walter is aired as we head into the third title match of the night.

Match 3: Walter vs. Pete Dunne (WWE United Kingdom Championship)
The match starts as Walter and Dunne take the first few moments to feel each other out. Walter then gains the early advantage by tossing Dunne around the ring and methodically picking him apart. Walter then locks Dunne in a Boston crab but Dunne is able to crawl to the ropes to break the hold. Dunne is able to counter Walter’s attack and connects with a kick to the head, which sends Walter out to the floor. The match returns to the ring where Dunne picks up a near fall after taking Walter down with a sitting powerbomb. Walter rolls out to the floor once again and Dunne dives off the top rope and onto Walter with a double foot stomp.

The match returns to the ring where Walter connects with a dropkick and a powerbomb for a near fall. Dunne comes back and takes Walter down with an enziguri The two begin fighting on the top turnbuckle and Walter tosses Dunne to the mat with an overhead suplex for a near fall. Dunne then counters a chop and goes after Walter’s fingers and nearly picks up a pin attempt with a rolling crucifix. Dunne then stomps on Walter’s head repeatedly before locking in the finger submission until Walter makes it to the ropes. Walter then fights his way out of a triangle choke and stomps Dunne in the head repeatedly before leveling Dunne with a clothesline. Dunne comes back with a Bitter End but Walter kicks out.

The two go to opposite sides of the ring to regroup before meeting in the middle to exchange blows until Walter levels Dunne with a big boot to the face. Walter heads to the top rope but Dunne gets up and goes for Walter’s fingers before trying for a triangle choke, but Walter counters and takes Dunne out with a powerbomb from the top rope. Walter then heads back to the top rope and hits the splash to pick up the pin fall and win the WWE United Kingdom Championship to end Dunne’s reign at 685 days.

Winner: Walter defeated Pete Dunne by pin fall to win the WWE United Kingdom Championship.

Edge and Beth Phoenix are seen sitting in the crowd. A video package for the Fatal 4 Way match for the NXT Women’s Championship is aired before heading into the fourth match of the night.

Match 4: Kairi Sane vs. Bianca Belair vs. Io Shirai vs. Shayna Baszler (Fatal 4 Way for the NXT Women’s Championship)
The match starts off and Sane and Shirai and both tossed out to the floor, leaving Belair and Baszler to go at it in the ring. Shirai and Sane come back in as there is a quick series of pin attempts. Sane and Shirai begin working together until they clear both Belair and Baszler from the ring. The two go at a friendly competition with a series of counters and reversals, until they are both tripped up and pulled out to the floor. Belair and Baszler then go at it as Baszler tries to pull Belair into the ring post by her hair, but Belair counters and sends Baszler into the post.

Sane then flies off the top rope and takes Belair down as her and Shirai begin working together again. All four end up in the ring as Baszler begins dominating her opponents until Sane and Shirai take both Baszler and Belair down with a double powerbomb from the top rope. The four then take each other down until all four are laid out in the middle of the ring. Baszler rolls out to the floor as Belair finds herself in the middle of Sane and Shirai. Sane is pulled out to the floor and Belair press slams Shirai out to the floor and on top of the other two.

Baszler returns to the ring and counters Belair with a Kirifuda Clutch, but Belair is able to break free and take Baszler down for a near fall but it is broken up by Shirai. Shirai then connects with a moonsault on Baszler and goes for a pin, but it is broken up by Sane. Shirai and Sane then turn on each other as Sane powerbombs Shirai onto Baszler. Sane then goes for a pin attempt but it is broken up by Shirai. Shirai then takes Sane down with a dropkick and a flurry of strikes, until Sane counters with a DDT. Sane heads to the top rope where Belair whips her with her hair. Belair then picks up Shirai and Sane and hits a double KOD but Baszler comes in and locks Belair in the Kirifuda Clutch to pick up the submission victory and retain the NXT Women’s Championship.

Winner: Shayna Baszler defeated Bianca Belair by submission to win the Fatal 4 Way to retain the NXT Women’s Championship.

After the match, Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir come out to congratulate Baszler on her victory. The NXT World Championship is seen sitting on a table in the ringside area as we are treated to a video package highlighting the main event of the night.

Match 5: Johnny Gargano vs. Adam Cole (2 out of 3 Falls for NXT World Championship)
The match starts as the two feel each other out before go through a series of counters and reversals with Gargano gaining the advantage. Gargano sends Cole out to the floor and follows with a dropkick between the ropes to take Cole down. Cole is able to quickly turn things into his advantage and slows things down with a headlock, until they both end up taking each other down with cross body blocks. The two go back and forth until Gargano takes Cole down with a DDT for a near fall. Cole comes back with a backstabber for a near fall of his own. The two then go back and forth with a small packages and roll ups for near falls. Cole then connects with the Last Shot to pick up the first fall.

Adam Cole 1, Johnny Gargano 0

The second fall begins and Cole takes Gargano down with another Last Shot, but Gargano kicks out of the pin attempt. The match goes out to the apron where Gargano takes Cole down with a spear and then dives on top of Cole on the floor. The fight returns to the ring where Cole takes Gargano down with a backbreaker for a near fall. Cole then sets up for a powerbomb from the ropes but Gargano counters and hits an Avalanche Air Raid Crash for a near fall. Cole then finds his way onto the apron and Gargano takes Cole out with a slingshot DDT onto the apron. Gargano then breaks the count, which allows Cole to recover and sends Gargano into the ring post a couple of times. The fight returns to the ring where Gargano locks in a Gargano Escape and makes Cole tap out to pick up the submission victory.

Adam Cole 1, Johnny Gargano 1

The two start the final fall by exchanging blows as Gargano levels Cole with a clothesline, but Cole quickly comes back and takes out Gargano to pick up a near fall. Cole sits on the turnbuckle and Gargano is able to recover and send Cole face first into the middle turnbuckle for a near fall of his own. The two then go at it and take each other out with clotheslines and kicks as the crowd starts a “NXT!” chant. Cole then connects with a superkick to the back of Gargano’s head and picks up a near fall with a straight jacket suplex. Gargano counters Cole and connects with a kick and a reverse-rana into a superkick, but Cole rolls out to the floor. Gargano follows him out and Cole suplexes Gargano into the ring apron.

The match returns to the ring and Gargano is able to take Cole down with a DDT to pick up a near fall. Cole is able to recover and takes Gargano out with a Panama Sunrise but Gargano is able to kick out of the pin attempt. Gargano rolls out to the floor and Cole goes out and gets in his face, which angers Gargano and he sends him flying across the announce table. Gargano clears off the table but Cole recovers and hits the Fairytale Ending on the table, which surprisingly didn’t break the table. Cole gets back into the ring and lets the referee to start the count but Gargano slides in at a count of nine. Cole then connects with a superkick but Gargano won’t give up.

Cole then goes for a Last Shot but Gargano counters with a superkick. Cole then comes back with a superkick but Gargano recovers and puts Cole in the Gargano Escape. Roderick Strong comes out and distracts the referee, which allows Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly to come out and break the Gargano Escape that Cole was tapping out in. Fish and O’Reilly connect with the High/Low finisher DIY used to use on Gargano and Cole covers, but Gargano kicks out. Cole then charges at Gargano but Gargano backdrops him into the rest of the Undisputed Era. Gargano then cleans house ringside and slides back into the ring to get a superkick and a Last Shot. Cole covers but Gargano again kicks out.

Gargano then locks Cole in the Gargano Escape and makes Cole tap out to win the third fall and become the new NXT World Champion and the first ever NXT Triple Crown winner.

Johnny Gargano 2, Adam Cole 1

Winner: Johnny Gargano defeated Adam Cole in a 2 out of 3 falls match to become the NXT World Champion.

After the match, Candice LeRae comes out to celebrate with her husband and they go out into the crowd where his parents are sitting ringside. Gargano and LaRae then celebrate up the entrance ramp as we see Tommaso Ciampa walk out wearing a neck brace. Ciampa hugs Gargano and holds up his arm as NXT Takeover comes to a close.

Quick Results
– The War Raiders defeated Ricochet and Aleister Black by pin fall to retain the NXT Tag Team Championship.
– Velveteen Dream defeated Matt Riddle by pin fall to retain the NXT North American Championship.
– Walter defeated Pete Dunne by pin fall to win the WWE United Kingdom Championship.
– Shayna Baszler defeated Bianca Belair by submission to win the Fatal 4 Way to retain the NXT Women’s Championship.
– Johnny Gargano defeated Adam Cole in a 2 out of 3 falls match to become the NXT World Champion.

Starman’s Thoughts

What a great start to WrestleMania weekend. NXT Takeover: New York only had a handful of matches, but they were all given time to develop and tell a great and entertaining story in the ring.

The highlight of the night, of course, was Johnny Gargano finally being able to win the big one and become the NXT World Champion. It played out pretty much as it should have, yet it still had you sitting at the edge of your seat with all of the near falls. Gargano in the underdog role needing to win two in a row to win the match was foreshadowed, but it was still effective. I’m not sure when the last time I was legitimately happy for a guy to win a match as I am tonight. The only way this match could have been any better was if it was against Tommaso Ciampa instead. Adam Cole did well in his role, though, as the two tore the house down.

The tag team match between War Raiders and Ricochet and Aleister Black was a great match to kick off the show. The two teams really worked well together (especially the moments where Hanson and Ricochet were in the ring together), and set the tone for the whole night. I wasn’t a huge fan of originally pairing Ricochet and Black together, but they made it work and this match was a nice send off for them as I’m assuming they will be joining the main roster full time after WrestleMania. I hope they eventually go their own ways and have successful singles careers.

Velveteen Dream and Matt Riddle also worked well together and had a great match. I haven’t seen Riddle in too many longer matches before, so it was nice to see him in a match like this for a change. He did get in a lot of offense as to not look too weak in his first loss since joining NXT. Seeing how well these two worked together, I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of these two going up against each other and I can’t wait to see it again.

I will admit that I don’t watch NXT UK at all, but I still enjoyed the match between Pete Dunne and Walter. It was a different style of match as its pacing was very methodical, but it was still entertaining. I wasn’t at all surprised to see Walter win the UK Championship as it was time for a change (Dunne had a great run) and he is probably the biggest name in NXT UK as of right now.

I was surprised that Shayna Baszler didn’t drop the NXT Women’s Championship tonight. I figured there would be some NXT call ups to the main roster after WrestleMania and I saw this match as a way to get the title off of Baszler without having her lose the match. What was even more surprising, though, was the fact that Bianca Belair tapped out yet again to Baszler. This match was about as good as a Fatal 4 Way match can get and all of the women did a great job in the ring.

WrestleMania has a tough act to follow. Tonight’s NXT show was all about quality over quantity. It had a third of the matches as WrestleMania (and will probably take about a third of the time), but all of the matches had a big show feel with high stakes. This is how WrestleMania should be booked instead of being a showcase of semi-retired annual wrestlers and comedy bits while trying to get everyone on the card in some way, shape or form. At any rate, NXT Takeover: New York will be a high point for the brand in my eyes.