**DISCLAIMER** I missed this show live because I was drunk in a hotel room in Chattanooga. But, since it was in my WrestleMania content plan, I had to write it anyway…so I don’t care if I’m a day late and a dollar short…I’m postin’ this bitch.
Alright, folks. It’s WrestleMania Eve! Only one more sleep ’til the biggest pro wrestling show of the year. The yellow brand brought it to New Orleans with a stacked card, much like WrestleMania itself. Headlined by an Andrade “Cien” Almas and Aleister Black title match, the payoff to the Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, and the crowning of the first ever NXT North American Champion. LET’S. FREAKING. GOOOOOOOO.
NXT TakeOver: New Orleans
Show kicks off with another band I don’t know, and me feeling like an old man because I don’t listen to this kind of music anymore.
North American Championship Ladder Match: Adam Cole def. Velveteen Dream, Lars Sullivan, Ricochet, Killian Dain, and EC3 – Loved the way this match started – they teased the Dain-Sullivan hoss fight early. Ricochet looked like a million bucks. Yet again, Dream showed out – this guy has superstar written all over him. He was bumping all over the place – dropping the elbow on Sullivan off the ladder, hooking his little cartwheel DVD to Ricochet on a ladder propped up between the turnbuckle and another ladder, and taking the brunt of a Freak Accident through a ladder at the hands of Sullivan.
I don’t know if they sat down and booked every little detail of the match out or what, but this was the cleanest, tightest multi-man ladder match I’ve seen in a long time. Every guy came out looking great. Rating: 8.5/10.
NXT Women’s Championship: Shayna Baszler def. Ember Moon – Boy, talk about being in a tough spot following that ladder match. But, credit to these two for delivering. I loved the psychology of this match. Working the limbs, Moon getting a bit of retribution, and the struggle in the whatever Clutch. Personally, I loved Baszler popping her shoulder back into place by slamming it into the ring post. But, I do wonder what people in the crowd who couldn’t hear Mauro’s commentary thought of it.
Baszler winning was the right call, and I wonder if this means Moon’s heading to the main roster. As soon as Baszler won, she screamed “I TOLD YOU” to the crowd. This lady is going to be good. Rating: 7.5/10
NXT Tag Team Championship/Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: The Undisputed Era def. The Authors of Pain and Pete Dunne & Roderick Strong – Sure feels like AOP is going to get the call up soon, so I thought making them stand tall early and often was nice way to go out. Didn’t look weak at all in this contest. Can’t help but notice how fluid Roddy Strong is in the ring. Good to see Dunne get a few minutes to shine. Cole gets put through the announce table, presumably to rest because he was also in that colossal ladder match early. Also, breaking news: Kyle O’Reilly is good.
This match was physical, and I’m not sure how these guys walked away without a concussion. Turned into strike city in a hurry. Knees, kicks, and ninja punches out the wazoo. All in all, excellent action. Happy to see ’em save the Dusty Classic for ‘Mania weekend Rating: 8/10.
NXT Championship: Aleister Black def. Andrade “Cien” Almas – Almas has “all-time great IC/US champ” written all over him. Pretty cool to hear them talk about the history these two have, having wrestled a year ago at TakeOver: Orlando in Black’s debut match. Honestly, both of these guys are ready for the main roster. On to the match – wow. There may be no better striker in the game than Black. Almas’ double moonsault is absolutely ridiculous. Loved Almas showing that he’s more than capable of striking, too – demonstrates a champion’s ability to rise to the occasion.
Both men end up on their backs after a double kick to the face. Zelina Vega gets involved hooking a spike-rana to Black that made me think Almas was about to retain. Seriously, Black is so good – that counter to the Hammerlock DDT was a thing of beauty. These guys are laying it all on the line. Black wins and boy it is weird to see him smile. Rating: 8.5/10.
Unsanctioned Match: Johnny Gargano def. Tommaso Ciampa – HO-LY SHIT, listen to Ciampa getting that good old-fashioned heel heat. The ‘no entrance music’ thing is pretty interesting, but it works because he’s so universally hated that the chorus of boos sort of becomes his entrance music anyway. What an act. Gargano comes out to a huge pop and it’s right into the action. This match was yet another instant classic from Gargano – high drama, deep storytelling, physical impact, and a shining moment. Everything you could ask for in a wrestling match. I feel stupid for asking how they were going to top Almas-Gargano. Now, I’m fuckin’ tired. I’m going to sleep. Rating: 9.5/10.
Overall: 42/50 (8.5/10). One of the best pure wrestling shows I’ve seen in a long time. No match failed to deliver. Seems like we may be heading into another golden age for NXT.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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