NXT TakeOver: Dallas Review

By Kevin Schroeder
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Updated: April 3, 2016

American Alpha (Chad Gable and Jason Jordan) defeated The Revival (Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson) to win the NXT Tag Team Championships

After going back-and-forth early with Dawson, Gable had an answer for everything Dawson and Wilder threw at him. The match went out of the ring, where The Revival were able to gain the upper hand. They got the heat on Gable for a bit. The Revival double-teamed Gable to keep him from making a tag, but Gable hit a double DDT. Wilder crawled under the ring to pull Jordan away before Gable could make the tag. The Revival botched a move and kept getting the heat on Gable. The crowd chanted “Botchamania.” Gable eventually made the hot tag. Jordan ran wild on both guys. Tom Phillips forgot who the champs were. The Revival gained the upper hand and got the heat on Jordan. Jordan made a comeback and picked up a near fall. Gable tagged in and went back-and-forth with Dawson. Gable tried a few roll-ups, but Dawson kicked out at two each time.

Finish: Dawson tried to flip Gable out of the ring, but Gable made the tag as he went out. Dawson didn’t realize it and Jordan speared him in the corner. Dawson tagged Gable in and the team hit Grand Amplitude for the win.

Botch aside, this was a great match. Both teams brought it. Gable’s just awesome. Jordan hit one of the best dropkicks I’ve seen from someone not named Okada.

★★★¾

Austin Aries defeated Baron Corbin

The match went back-and-forth early, then Corbin took control and got the heat on Aries. Corbin worked Aries’ right shoulder. Aries made a comeback. Corbin hit Deep Dix on the outside and re-took control.

Finish: Corbin went for End of Days, but Aries rolled him up and pinned him.

Baron Corbin still sucks. Aries was as good as you could expect a guy working with that schmuck to be.

★★¾

Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Sami Zayn

Zayn and Nakamura did some chain stuff early on. The two men tried to gain the upper hand; they would both have it at various points, but neither would have it for very long. Zayn got the upper hand when he sent Nakamura out of the ring and flipped onto him over the top rope. He would get Nakamura back in the ring and hit a crossbody, but Nakamura kicked out at two. The two men made it to their feet and began trading forearm shots. Nakamura’s nose got busted open. Nakamura would eventually get the better of the exchange and after dropping Zayn, hit him with a few kicks. With Zayn down, the ref cleaned up the blood from Nakamura’s nose and this was the point where I remembered that as good as these two are, and it’s awesome that they’re in the same place, and as good as the match is, it’s still WWE. Dang it. I mean, come on, it just looks lame. Anyway, Nakamura went for an armbar and ended up with Zayn in the triangle choke, but Zayn was able to fight his way back into the match. Zayn caught Nakamura in the Koji clutch. Nakamura was able to roll Zayn onto his back and force him to break the hold or else be pinned. The two men made it back to their feet and countered each other’s finishers. Zayn hit a Blue Thunder Bomb and went for the pin, but Nakamura kicked out at two. Nakamura rolled out of the ring. Zayn tried for a DDT through the turnbuckle, but Nakamura caught him with a kick to the head. Nakamura climbed the ropes, Zayn attempted to counter, but Nakamura knocked him off with a headbutt. Zayn went for the Exploder, but Nakamura elbowed his way out of it.

Finish: Nakamura caught Zayn with a knee to the back of the head, then hit Bomaye for the win.

After the match, the crowd chanted “Thank you Sami” then Zayn and Nakamura shook hands and hugged. Nakamura then made his way to the back and Zayn stood in the ring while the crowd serenaded with chants of “Ole.” Zayn’s music played him out while the fans sung along. Everything about this was just awesome.

★★★★★

Asuka defeated Bayley to win the NXT Women’s Championship

The match went back-and-forth early. Neither woman was really able to gain the upper hand. After a while, the women began mirroring each other. Bayley got the kneebar locked in on Asuka. Asuka was able to get to the ropes. Bayley started working Asuka’s legs. Asuka caught Bayley in an armbar, but Bayley countered and got a near-fall with a roll-up. Bayley hit a clothesline for a near-fall.

Finish: Asuka locked in the Asuka Lock and after a long time trying to fight her way out, Bayley passed out.

Really good match between these two. Hope we get a rematch.

★★★¼

Finn Balor defeated Samoa Joe to retain the NXT Championship

The two butted heads early and Joe got some color as a result. The ref for this one was Drake Wuertz, who used to wrestle on the indies as “The Ultraviolent Goldenboy” Drake Younger, so it was kind of funny to see him have to try to stop someone from bleeding. Wuertz and the doctors kept trying to patch Joe up, Joe got visibly more annoyed each time. The fourth time, they finally patched him up. The fans booed loudly. The fans were right. This was ridiculous. Joe hit an enziguiri and got a near-fall, then the ref stopped the match again to clean Joe up. The fans, again, booed, and, again, were right. Let it freaking go already. Joe took control of the match. Balor made a comeback. He went for the Slingblade, but Joe countered, planted Balor, and got a near-fall. Joe regained the upper hand. Joe hit a powerbomb then transitioned that into the Boston crab, which he then transitioned into a crossface. Balor broke free and hit a double stomp. Balor hit a Slingblade, then a dropkick into the turnbuckles. He went to the top, setting up for Coup d’Grace, but Joe knocked him down and hit a Muscle Buster. Balor kicked out at 2. The men went back-and-forth briefly. Balor hit a Pele kick and both men went down.

Finish: Balor powered up, hit the Slingblade, the dropkick into the turnbuckles, and Coup d’Grace. He went to put Joe away, but Joe countered into the Kokina clutch. Balor pushed off the turnbuckles to counter and used Joe’s momentum to pin him.

This could have been a great match if the doctors didn’t get in the way. It just ruined the whole flow. Once they got out of the way, the match was pretty good, though it still left just a bit to be desired.

★★★¼

Overall: The worst match was a Baron Corbin match and even that wasn’t that bad. While Zayn vs. Nakamura was the only great match, the three other matches were all very good. ★★★★

Twitter: @KSchroeder_312

E-mail: schroeder.giig@gmail.com

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