The Best NXT Matches Of 2021 According To Dave Meltzer

This page will be your hub for the list of best NXT matches of 2021. These matches have been rated by Dave Meltzer in his Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscribe here). These matches have received a 4-star or above rating in 2021. Note: This just includes matches from NXT & NXT UK. You can also check out the best WWE matches of 2021 list, which focuses on the main roster.

The Best NXT Matches Of 2021

Note: We have not provided the winners, so you will be able to watch these matches unspoiled.

Finn Bálor vs Kyle O’Reilly

Event: New Year’s Evil (January 6th).

Finn Balor and Kyle O’Reilly faced off in the main event of NXT’s New Year’s Evil event. This was for the NXT Championship.

  • Rating: 4.00 stars

Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher vs Adam Cole & Roderick Strong

Event: NXT (February 3rd)

The February 3rd episode of NXT featured a tag team match: Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher vs Adam Cole and Roderick Strong. This was for the men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

  • Rating: 4.00 stars

Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza vs Nash Carter & Wes Lee

Event: NXT (February 10th)

The February 10th episode of NXT featured a tag team match: Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza vs Nash Carter and Wes Lee. This was for the men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

  • Rating: 4.00 stars

Dakota Kai & Raquel González vs Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart

Event: NXT Takeover: Vengeance Day (February 14th)

NXT Takeover: Vengeance Day featured a tag team match: Dakota Kai and Raquel González vs Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart. This was for the women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

  • Rating: 4.00 stars

KUSHIDA vs Santos Escobar

Event: WWE NXT (May 11th)

KUSHIDA and Santos Escobar faced off on the May 11th episode of NXT. This was for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.

  • Rating: 4.00 stars

Bobby Fish vs Pete Dunne

Event: WWE NXT (May 25th)

Bobby Fish and Pete Dunne faced off in a singles match on the May 25th episode of NXT.

  • Rating: 4.00 stars

Bronson Reed, Nash Carter & Wes Lee vs Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza

Event: NXT Takeover: In Your House (June 13th)

Takeover: In Your House featured a 6-man tag team match for both the NXT Tag Team Titles and the NXT North American Title. This was Bronson Reed and MSK vs Legado del Fantasma.

  • Rating: 4.00 stars

Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher vs Zack Gibson & James Drake

Event: WWE NXT (June 15th)

The June 15th episode of NXT featured a tag team match: It was Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher vs The Grizzled Young Veterans.

  • Rating: 4.00 stars

Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory vs Pete Dunne & Oney Lorcan

Event: WWE NXT (June 22nd)

The June 22nd episode of NXT featured a tag team match. It was The Way vs Pete Dunne and Oney Lorcan.

  • Rating: 4.00 stars

Kushida vs Kyle O’Reilly

Event: WWE NXT (June 22nd)

The June 22nd episode of NXT featured a singles match between Kushida and Kyle O’Reilly.

  • Rating: 4.00 stars

Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher vs Nash Carter & Wes Lee

Event: NXT The Great American Bash

The 2021 edition of the Great American Bash featured a match for the NXT Tag Team Titles. It was MSK vs Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher.

  • Rating: 4.00 stars

Karrion Kross vs Johnny Gargano

Event: WWE NXT (July 13th)

The July 13th edition of NXT featured a match between Karrion Kross and Johnny Gargano. This was for the NXT Championship.

  • Rating: 4.00 stars

Ilja Dragunov vs Pete Dunne

Event: WWE NXT (August 10th)

Ilja Dragunov and Pete Dunne faced off on the August 10th episode of NXT.

  • Rating: 4.00 stars

Ilja Dragunov vs Roderick Strong

Event: WWE NXT (August 17th)

Ilja Dragunov and Roderick Strong faced off on the August 17th episode of NXT.

  • Rating: 4.00 stars

  • A-Kid vs WALTER

    Event: NXT UK (January 14th)

    The January 14th episode of NXT UK featured a match between A-Kid and WALTER.

    • Rating: 4.25 stars

    Finn Balor vs Adam Cole

    Event: NXT (March 10th)

    The March 10th episode of NXT featured a match between Finn Balor and Adam Cole. This was for the NXT Championship.

    • Rating: 4.25 stars

    Pete Dunne vs Kushida

    Event: NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver (Night 1)

    The first match on night 1 of Takeover: Stand & Deliver was between Pete Dunne and Kushida.

    • Rating: 4.25 stars

    Io Shirai vs Raquel Gonzalez

    Event: NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver (Night 1)

    The main event on night 1 of Takeover: Stand & Deliver was between Io Shirai and Raquel Gonzalez. This was for the NXT Women’s Championship.

    • Rating: 4.25 stars

    Finn Balor vs Karrion Kross

    Event: WWE NXT (May 25th)

    The May 25th episode of NXT featured a match between Finn Balor and Karrion Kross. This was for the NXT Championship.

    • Rating: 4.25 stars

    Adam Cole vs Pete Dunne vs Johnny Gargano vs Karrion Kross vs Kyle O’Reilly

    Event: NXT Takeover: In Your House (June 13th)

    The main event of Takeover: In Your House was a fatal 5-way match for the NXT Championship. It was Adam Cole vs Pete Dunne vs Johnny Gargano vs Karrion Kross vs Kyle O’Reilly.

    • Rating: 4.25 stars

    Wes Lee & Nash Carter vs Zack Gibson & James Drake

    Event: NXT Takeover: Vengeance Day (February 14th)

    Takeover: Vengeance Day featured a tag team match: MSK vs The Grizzled Young Veterans. This was for the men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

    • Rating: 4.5 stars

    Finn Balor vs Pete Dunne

    Event: NXT Takeover: Vengeance Day (February 14th)

    Takeover: Vengeance Day featured a match between Finn Balor and Pete Dunne. This was for the NXT Championship.

    • Rating: 4.5 stars

    WALTER vs Tommaso Ciampa

    Event: NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver (Night 1)

    Night 1 of Takeover: Stand & Deliver featured a match between WALTER and Tommaso Ciampa. This was for the NXT United Kingdom Championship.

    • Rating: 4.5 stars

    Wes Lee & Nash Carter vs Zack Gibson & James Drake vs Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde

    Event: NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver (Night 1)

    Night 1 of Takeover: Stand & Deliver featured a triple threat match: MSK vs Grizzled Young Veterans vs Legado del Fantasma. This was for the vacant NXT Tag Team Championships.

    • Rating: 4.5 stars

    Adam Cole vs Kyle O’Reilly

    Event: NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver (Night 2)

    The main event of Night 2 of Takeover: Stand & Deliver was between Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly. This was an unsanctioned match.

    • Rating: 4.5 stars

    Adam Cole vs Kyle O’Reilly

    Event: NXT The Great American Bash

    Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly faced off at The Great American Bash.

    • Rating: 4.5 stars

    Adam Cole vs Kyle O’Reilly

    Event: NXT Takeover: 36

    Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly faced off at NXT Takeover: 36. This was a 2 out of 3 falls match.

    • Rating: 4.5 stars

    Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel vs Kyle O’Reilly and Von Wagner

    Event: NXT WarGames

    The 2021 edition of WarGames featured a match for the NXT Tag Team belts. It was Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel vs Kyle O’Reilly and Von Wagner.

    • Rating: 4.5 stars

    Johnny Gargano vs KUSHIDA

    Event: NXT Takeover: Vengeance Day (February 14th)

    Takeover: Vengeance Day featured a match between KUSHIDA and Johnny Gargano. This was for the NXT North American Championship.

    • Rating: 4.75 stars

    Bron Breakker, Carmelo Hayes, Grayson Waller, and Tony D’Angelo vs Johnny Gargano, LA Knight, Pete Dunne, and Tommaso Ciampa

    Event: NXT WarGames

    The 2021 edition of WarGames featured a men’s WarGames match. It was Team 2.0 (Bron Breakker, Carmelo Hayes, Grayson Waller, and Tony D’Angelo) vs Team Black & Gold (Johnny Gargano, LA Knight, Pete Dunne, and Tommaso Ciampa )

    • Rating: 4.75 stars

    WALTER vs Ilja Dragunov

    Event: NXT Takeover: 36

    WALTER and Ilja Dragunov faced off at NXT Takeover: 36. This was for the NXT United Kingdom Championship.

    Rating: 5.25 stars


    What is your favorite on the list of best NXT matches of 2021? Let me know in the comment section below. On a related note, you can check out the best AEW matches of 2021.

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