NXT Takeover Orlando Results/Review by @McIverTheMark
Team Sanity vs Team Dillinger
Prediction: Team Sanity
Result: Sanity wins through Killian Dain
Grade: B
Thoughts: Tye Dillinger is the most over human being in the world. How he isn’t on the main roster already is beyond me and he needs to be called up fast. In regards to this match- what a really, fun opener. This had everything you needed; great story, fantastic action and a ‘who will win’ atmosphere.
Everyone got their stuff in; Ohno with his surprise appearance, Riot and Cross being huge aspects of the match and Dain getting the finish. Dillinger running through everyone made the entire crowd pop but eventually the heels flourished and got the victory. A great opening to the night.
Aleister Black vs Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas
Prediction: Aleister Black
Result: Black wins with a Spinning Heel Kick
Grade: B-
Thoughts: Go and watch Aleister Black’s entrance if you haven’t already. When you come back- you will agree that it is one of the best in recent memory. It perfectly encapsulates the character that the man formerly known as Tommy End and his performance showed his brilliance. His flips, his stiffness, his kicks, knees, headbutts, punches…he’s fantastic.
Additionally, Almas has improved leaps and bounds since his initial debut- his character is also fantastic and he plays his heelish character perfectly. The crowd kind of lost interest for a brief period which hurt it slightly but still, like the match prior, a really fun debut for a man who could, and should, be a superstar.
The Revival vs DIY vs Authors of Pain- NXT Tag Team Title Elimination Match
Prediction: Authors of Pain
Result: AOP retain after pinfall on the Revival
Grade: A+
Thoughts: Just…just go and watch it. It’s absolutely, positively, undoubtedly the reason we all watch, live and breathe professional wrestling. In this match were, probably, the two best tag teams in the world with another team whose stock was risen unbelievably thanks to this contest. The fact that weapons were used, the fact that every near fall felt real and the fact that the crowd were SO into it show us how fantastic everyone involved was.
When DIY and Revival teamed up, I literally jumped up out of my seat because I popped so much. These guys just bring out that inner child in me who doesn’t watch wrestling to be smarky or to analyse how everything is booked or if certain people should be getting pushed or not; they make me feel the things I felt when I first started watching wrestling. I honestly was booing AOP when they won as it didn’t feel right. That rarely happens in these modern times in our industry. So please reader, grab some food and drink, sit down comfortably and let yourself have a fantastic half hour.
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Tag match was the best. I was heavily invested and actually kept yelling and cheering. Nakamura vs Roode was great. They were a better pairing than I thought Nakamura vs Joe would be. I would give it a b. Sanity match was fun. Black vs Cien was good, but odd having two heels face off. Asuka really needs to make a sadistic heel turn, not a gray area or coward heel. Ember needs more time to grow. A feud with Cross would be perfect.