The Best of NXT TakeOver: Matches That Stole the Show

Ever since the very start, NXT TakeOvers became a synonym for high-quality wrestling and storytelling, with the matches establishing themselves among the best that WWE has to offer. Pure wrestling, supported by character work and strong stories, had given rise to numerous ongoing memories, keeping fans up on their toes all the time. The article baits the best NXT TakeOver matches that have indeed stolen the show, with its bouts shaping ethos and creating an indelible mark within the wrestling business.

The Birth of NXT TakeOver
Before delving into the matches, some context is needed concerning the importance of NXT TakeOver events. The first NXT TakeOver event happened on May 29, 2014, and it was a realization of the vision of WWE in building a developmental brand that can stand alone as a major attraction. In fact, NXT quickly became known for high-quality wrestling, with its showcase being on new talent.

It is through TakeOver events that these stars were really given that grand plateau to perform, head-to-head with the main roster shows, due in large part to their sheer intensity and passion.

Cesaro vs. Sami Zayn – NXT Arrival (February 27, 2014)
A bit further back, one of the very first matches that really set the bar for what NXT TakeOver would grow into was Sami Zayn against Cesaro, at Arrivals. A match with brains, a boatload of violence, and remarkable athleticism, carrying on an intense rivalry: a clinic at how wrestling is done by Zayn and Cesaro in usage of flying and technical prowess. The emotional and physical intensity of that one took fans on a ride and put NXT on the map for match-of-the-year candidates.

Charlotte vs. Natalya—NXT TakeOver May 29th
Another classic from NXT TakeOver was the match between Charlotte and Natalya for the vacant NXT Women’s Championship. This was really one of those defining moments in Women’s Evolution that proved to everyone just how athletic and talented female professional wrestlers could be. Each competitor gave a great performance with good technical wrestling and some empathy storytelling.

The presence of Ric Flair and Bret Hart in their respective corners added to the match’s prestige, and Charlotte’s victory marked the beginning of her ascent as one of WWE’s top stars.

Sasha Banks vs. Bayley, NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, August 22, 2015
Perhaps one of the biggest matches in NXT history, Sasha Banks vs. Bayley is considered by many fans and outlets to be the turning point for women’s wrestling. Quite possibly one of the biggest matches to ever take place in NXT history, this was being built as an underdog moment for Bayley. The match between them was a thriller; I mean, a masterpiece of storytelling, athleticism, and emotion. Sasha and Bayley displayed moments that the fans would consider a five-star segment and an amazing chemistry with wrestling ability. The post-match celebration with the Four Horsemen shows the victory Bayley scored unquestionably kicks off a dimension in women’s wrestling.

Finn Bálor vs. Kevin Owens at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, August 22, 2015
The same night, another force was increased when Finn Bálor defended his NXT Championship against Kevin Owens in a Ladder Match. It was a very brutal, slobber-knocker match, very befitting of WWE’s two hardest hitters in NXT.

Both Bálor and Owens took really huge risks, put their bodies on the line, used the ladder as a weapon and a prop for taking those big bumps. The victory for Bálor here will rubber-stamp and send him as one of the top champions in NXT, while what Owens did will continue to solidify him as one of the most interesting characters in all of wrestling.

Shinsuke Nakamura versus Sami Zayn, NXT TakeOver: Dallas, April 1,
Shinsuke Nakamura’s NXT debut match against Sami Zayn at NXT TakeOver: Dallas was very much a dream match in itself. In fact, there was actually nothing much to ask for in such a contest. This was the right dish prepared with the exact ingredients: solid hits combined with great technical work and show. His unreplicable charisma and in-ring style make the one-on-one performance matched with Zayn’s fiery passion and resilience. The energy was palpable within the crowd, and this was run at a stellar pace. For Nakamura, it marked the first step on the road to NXT for him, after his win, Zayn got a grand farewell from the audience.

DIY vs The Revival – NXT TakeOver: Toronto – November 19, 2016
The NXT Tag Team Championship match between DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) and The Revival (Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson) at NXT TakeOver: Toronto has often been referred to as the greatest tag team match in WWE history.

This 2-out-of-3 Falls match was really a classic one in tag team wrestling, when both teams put up a real clinic of psychology, teamwork, and storytelling. The high-flying and technical prowess were perfect contrasts from the old-school antics of Revival. DIY overcame, put an emotional victory on the backburner, and cemented a legacy on the night.

Asuka vs. Ember Moon – NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III (August 19, 2017)
It was a night to remember as Asuka’s record-setting reign as NXT Women’s Champion faced its toughest challenge at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III against Ember Moon. The result was the exquisite brutality of Asuka’s striking mixed with the overt greatness of Ember Moon’s athleticism and never-say-die attitude. Both women turned in an extremely hard-hitting, energetic contest that had fans at a fever pitch throughout. Despite considerable effort from Ember, Asuka held onto the title and kept her undefeated streak alive. This is one of those encounters where the bar was not only high, but the setting was high.

Johnny Gargano vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas – NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, January 27
This tug-of-war brought the best out in Johnny Gargano while he fought the lifetime match with Andrade “Cien” Almas at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia. The match was a technical marvel that blended high-flying moves perfectly with stiff strikes and well-spun storytelling. It was Gargano’s underdog spirit combined against Almas with new levels of aggression that made for a truly engrossing back-and-forth.

And then there is the added drama with Zelina Vega involved. In the end, Almas retained his championship, but Gargano’s performance got him one more standing ovation and reassured his reputation as “Johnny Wrestling.”

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Johnny Gargano – NXT TakeOver: New Orleans (April 7, 2018)
A bitter rivalry took a turn for the worst as former tag team partners Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano clashed in an Unsanctioned Match at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. This is the final product of a personally embroiled, absolutely emotion-fueled feud, to say the least. Both competitors brought a level of intensity and brutality hardly ever seen in WWE.

It was a rollercoaster of emotions, the back-and-forth equating to two people giving all they had within that squared circle structure. So, Gargano’s triumph and its streaming background – with his wife, Candice LeRae, there – made for a satisfyingly conclusive storyline setup of what’s to come.

Adam Cole vs. Johnny Gargano – NXT TakeOver: New York (April 5, 2019)
Adam Cole versus Johnny Gargano in a 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the NXT Championship, vacant, at NXT TakeOver: New York. This one is widely considered one of the best in-show history, wherein two amazing competitors have had great action between each other. The bout was filled with in-ring mat work, high spots, and dramatic near-falls.

Gargano pushed on through resilience and sheer will toward an impressive effort to soak Cole’s onslaught in order to land the NXT Championship, followed by an emotional celebration with Gargano’s wife and former DIY partner Tommaso Ciampa as a part of the legacy.

Rhea Ripley vs. Shayna Baszler — NXT TakeOver: WarGames (Nov. 23)
Rhea Ripley and Shayna Baszler were the first headliners in NXT TakeOver: WarGames. The first-ever in women’s WarGames promised brutality, chaos, and rigor—a match that could display depth of talent within the women’s roster. Ripley shows the best in leadership and keeping strong, taking control and leading her team to victory while casually serving notice to the rest of the women’s roster that she’s the next big thing. Plus, Shayna Baszler as the dominating two-time NXT Women’s Champion added a greater incentive, making Ripley’s win even more weighty.

Keith Lee vs. Dominik Dijakovic – NXT TakeOver: Portland (February 16, 2020)
The series of tremulous stoushes between Keith Lee and Dominik Dijakovic climaxed with a match at NXT TakeOver: Portland for the NXT North American Championship. The behemoths went the full nine yards, conveying their humongous athleticism to the mesmerized audience. It is hard to grasp the brilliance of the strong, powerful impacts, breathtaking agility, and brutal striking that took place in the match. All that display netted Lee himself a tough victory in the defense of the championship and simultaneously jammed Dijakovic into the public eye for his performance.

Io Shirai Vs. Charlotte Flair Vs. Rhea Ripley – NXT TakeOver: In Your House (June 7, 2020)
In Your House triple threat match for the NXT Women’s Championship features Io Shirai, Charlotte Flair, and Rhea Ripley. This was a match that quickly was high-octane and had each of these females coming in at the top of their game: the innovative offense of Io Shirai, clashing with the experience, dominance, and power of Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley. But at the end of the day, in a match devoted to her strong offense and won savagery, it was Shirai and her clean win who absolutely beat this, smiled in the ensuing celebration, and left a champion in this career-defining moment for both her and the division of women.

Conclusion
NXT TakeOver events have consistently been presenting some of the best matches in WWE history. These contests were built off high-quality wrestling, character development, and compelling storytelling, all leading to most unforgettable moments that grasped the attention of fans globally. From the not-so-long-ago classics like Sami Zayn versus Cesaro to the new age masterpieces like Adam Cole versus Johnny Gargano, NXT TakeOver really ushered in a golden age in professional wrestling. These matches not only show off the talent in NXT, but also continue to highlight the brand’s ability to manufacture emotionally charged, high-stakes encounters that affect professional wrestling.