NXT Takeover; Chicago (2018)

Such a perfect reaction.

Jesus, what a show. I mean, I was expecting it to be great, and I was expecting Black Vs. Sullivan to underwhelm,



The Undisputed Era vs. Birch and Lorcan (NXT Tag Team Championships): Era retains.

Despite my bonus prediction, Pete Dunne wasn’t involved, although Adam Cole was (baby). Hell of a match that really showcased Birch and Lorcan’s speed and striking ability. If they got a team name and developed some mic skills, they could really tear up the division. (1/1)

Ricochet vs. Velveteen Dream: Ricochet wins.

This was everything I hoped and dreamed it would be. Dream came out as Hogan from the waist up, Puma from the waist down, gloriously double-trolling with one outfit. The match took their “anything you can do, I can do better” to the next level. Amazing spots, great psychology, just immensely satisfying. Bonus kudos to Dream’s pre-match promo reaction to the mention of his elimination from Tough Enough a couple years ago: “The Dream has no memory of that.” (2/2)

Nikki Cross vs. Shayna Baszler (NXT Women’s Championship): Baszler retains.

Another fantastic match. Baszler has gotten really good at the personality thing, and may have been giving Ronda Rousey lessons. So hopefully they can get together for a “how to hit someone with a briefcase” class soon. But the real star here was Nikki Cross, who commits to her gimmick every second of every match, including, as in the photo above, when she’s passing out from a choke hold. (3/3)

Aleister Black vs. Lars Sullivan (NXT Title): I’ll go so far as to say Black wins clean, probably after three Black Masses.

NAILED IT. Complete with the right number of Black Massses, if you count the botched one. This was fine. It was exactly what i expected, except shorter, which made it better.  (4/4)

Johnny Gargano vs. Tommasso Ciampa (Chicago Street Fight): Ciampa wins.

I... may have been wrong about the possibility of them improving on their New Orleans match. It certainly wasn’t worse. Like New Orleeans, I probably could have shaved five minutes off of it and been fine, but it was still amazing what these two did together and how good they made it look. (5/5).