NxT Takeover Results
Austin Aries def. No Way Jose via Last Chancery Submission
A fantastic opener that did a great job not only showcasing Aries, but showing that Jose is more than just your average comedy character. Plus, Jose did the deal/did the deed. Therefore, he is legit.
Afterwards, Hideo Itami returned and hit Austin Aries with the GTS (Go To Sleep), to which I cried and screamed in happiness because I've been waiting for that since Itami signed two years ago.
Ember Moon def. Billie Kay via Diving Corkscrew Sitting Ace Crusher
Good match that didn't bore the crowd. Billie Kay was solid in her first big opportunity on NxT, and did a good job with Moon. I thought Moon was very athletic and solid....until that finisher happened. That move was FANTASTIC!
Bobby Roode def. Andrade Cien Almas via Glorious Bomb (Pumphandle Drop)
In a character sense, everything made sense on one side of the coin. Roode's entrance was GLORIOUS. The crowd's reaction was GLORIOUS. Heck, technically the fans reaction to Roode's finisher was perfect for all the hype. The heat that Roode will get for using of all things...Road Dogg's Pumphandle Drop, was GLORIOUS (how the hell he convinced creative/how creative convinced him to use this move). Also...WHY THE PUMPHANDLE DROP?!
Almas was fantastic in this match, in the midst of what he had to deal with. The athletic Luchadore who was supposed to be the good guy, to get apathy at the beginning for a reaction and to fight through that and still not only have a great match, but shine was GLORIOUS.
The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder) def. DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa) to retain the NxT Tag Team Championships
Dawson submitted Gargano via Nagata Lock I/Reverse Figure Four Leglock
BEST Match of Takeover. The tag division for a long time was the red-headed stepchild amongst the 3 division in NxT. With all the emphasis on the Women's Revolution, it was fantastic to witness this. Especially since I love Gargano's wrestling and Ciampa's striking. The Revival made me care about the logistics and the details of Tag wrestling. While it's difficult to vary the different types of psychology in Tag Team Wrestling, the match that these four shared was phenomenal to watch.
Asuka def. Bayley to retain the NxT Women's Championship via Buzzsaw Kicks
I loved this match (after I finally got to watch it in it's entirety...separate from the Tag match). So well planned and well thought out for both sides. Only downside is that this was the third best match on the card. It was hard for this one to stand out but still such a great match.
Shinsuke Nakamura def. Samoa Joe to become the New NxT Champion via running Kinshasa.
Dear god this was a wonderful match. Could have been match of the night any other night. Would have been match of the night on Summerslam....as the previous two matches could have been as well.
Summerslam Results
Kickoff Show
The Usos (Jimmy and Jey), The Hype Bros (Mojo Rawley and Zack Ryder), and American Alpha (Jason Jordan and Chad Gable) def. The Vaudevillians (Aiden English and Simon Gotch), The Ascension(Konnor and Viktor), and Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango)
Jey Uso def. Simon Gotch after a Superfly Splash
Fantastic opener to the Pre-Show. Having all of the dissension not only amongst the two 6 man teams, but also the tag teams within the teams. The Usos and American Alpha arguing was great. The heels all performed well. Mojo was even pretty good. Ryder is still a step or 3 down from winning the Intercontinental Championship at Wrestlemania, but the team with Mojo is actually not bad. Quite satisfied with this.
Neville and Sami Zayn def. The Dudley Boyz
Neville Pinned Bubba Ray Dudley after a Red Arrow
For the most part, it was a basic match that showcased Neville and Zayn as a potential tag team threat...AND as well as a showcase for both men as potential singles competitors. The Dudleys did a great job teasing further dissension and also make Neville and Zayn look even better.
Best of Seven Opening Match
Sheamus (1) def. Cesaro (0) after a Brogue Kick
If the matches are of this quality for the remaining series matches, then I will be willing for this series to go at least 6 matches. Having Sheamus go over, regardless of the quality of matches, will be the only real mistake booking wise. Cesaro would be considered "new era" and if Sheamus wins....well I can quote King Ross from WhatCulture: "*cough* NEW ERA SAME OLD SHIT*
That being said, great 1st match in the series and a good win for Sheamus.
Main Show
Grudge Tag Match
Jeri-KO (Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens) def. Enzo Amore and Big Cass
Chris Jericho pinned Enzo Amore after an assisted Codebreaker
Entertaining match for what it was worth. Having the heels go over the Hometown boys is Vince at his finest booking wise. Liked the idea of the finish.
WWE Women's Championship
Charlotte Def. Sasha Banks to win the WWE Women's Championship after countering the Banks Statement into a Back Lateral press
The women were really dangerous. If the risks had been worth the rewards, this would have been match of the night. Spent most of this one cringing....and the title switch was questionable.
WWE Intercontinental Championship
The Miz (C) w/ Maryse def. Apollo Crews to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Pinfall after a Skull Crushing Finale
Underwhelming considering what both men were capable of. Correct to keep it on the Miz but it could have been more of a dirty finish with a little more length.
Grudge Match
AJ Styles def. John Cena after a Phenominal Forearm
MATCH OF THE NIGHT. That being said, it was essentially a big spot fest. The storytelling was simplistic enough and Styles going over clean was fantastic!
WWE Tag Team Championships
The Club (Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson) def. The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) w/Jon Stewart via Disqualification when Big E came out and attacked Karl Anderson.
New Day retains the Championship since you can't lose the championships via Disqualification.
STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID
WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Dean Ambrose (C) def. Dolph Ziggler via Dirty Deeds to retain the WWE World Championship
Greatly affected by both the amount of matches that had happened, and how crappy the end of the previous match was. Could have had more time but it wasn't horrible. Really exposed Ambrose though.
Six Woman Trios Match
Natalya, Alexa Bliss, and Nikki Bella* def. Carmella, Becky Lynch, and Naomi
*Originally, Eva Marie was in the match, but wasn't allowed to go due to wellness policy violation. Nikki Bella returned and took her place.
Nikki pinned Carmella after a TKO
I approve of the move and of the match....but this match was basically the bathroom match. Which is insulting considering that all six performed well.
WWE Universal Championship
"The Demon King" Finn Balor def. Seth Rollins via Coup de Grace to become the 1st WWE Universal Champion
Just under expectations but partially due to the crowd absolutely hating the new championship. Sad that Balor was injured after the match. I still agree with the decision though.
WWE United States Championship
Rusev w/Lana vs. Roman Reigns went to a No-Contest (0 out of 10)
They booked this backwards. Having a no-match for the US title is 1 thing, having this match AFTER the TWO Top Titles IS UNACCEPTABLE. EVEN WHEN REIGNS IS IN TROUBLE HE STILL GETS A HIGHER POSITION THAN THE TITLES. NOT COOL.
The only positive of this is that you're technically making Rusev more relatable, because it makes Roman look like a complete bully and harasser to Rusev and Lana (even if they're trying to be foreign, pompous heels).
The Beast Vs. The Viper
Brock Lesnar def. Randy Orton via TKO (Strikes) (6.5 out of 10)
Now that a few weeks have passed since this had happened, the result makes some sense. Having Lesnar be a world beater and dismantle Orton (with more viciousness and realisticness) had the entire wrestling world talking. Was it scripted? Was that a shoot? Did Chris Jericho really try to fight Lesnar in the back due to the wrestlers not being informed? The "Reality" era is really kicking in, masterfully blending storyline and reality to make smarks like myself confused like crazy at first glance. I'll have more of that with a side of Bacon please!
Overall:It was barely better than WrestleMania, but better nonetheless. 6.75 out of 10
In order for the main Roster (NxT matches in parenthesis):
Styles/Cena
(The Revival vs. DIY)
(Joe vs. Nakamura)
(Asuka vs. Bayley)
Balor/Rollins
Sheamus/Cesaro
Charlotte/Banks
(Aries vs. No Way Jose)
Jeri-KO/Enzo and Cass
Usos/HypeBros/Alpha vs. Vaudevillians/Breezango/Ascension
Neville/Zayn vs. Dudley Boyz
(Roode vs. Almas)
Nikki/Natalya/Bliss vs. Carmella/Lynch/Naomi
Ambrose/Ziggler
(Ember Moon vs. Billie Kay)
Lesnar/Orton
Miz/Crews
The New Day/The Club
Reigns/Rusev
Raw had the better night due to better payoff of their storylines. Smackdown had better buildup going in. However, with the exception of Styles and Cena, the other matches underwhelmed. Raw rushed most of their stories but had better results and higher quality matches.
That being said, Takeover Brooklyn 2 was WAY better than Summerslam.
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