What's up everyone?
I was in the middle of taking notes for ROH's State of the Art show from Dallas when I noticed I had way too many notes to lump everything together from this weekend. So, to split it up and save all of our sanity, I'm splitting this weekend's reviews up between the companies. NXT will be first. I'll lump my NJPW/ROH reviews together (since they are tied together in talent exchanges anyways). And I'll post my Money in the Bank thoughts tomorrow (or later tonight if I can stay awake long enough). Without further ado, here are my thoughts on NXT TakeOver Chicago 2018...
NXT Takeover Chicago
- I liked the opening on pain. But I was waiting for "Pain- Watching 3 Hours of Monday Night Raw most weeks."
- Very good opening match between the team of Burch and Lorcan and the team of Strong and O'Reilly. The last 5-6 minutes in particular were excellent. The Undisputed Era was OVER in Chicago. I hope WWE recognizes this and continues to use them to the fullest.
- Is it me or was Velveteen Dream channeling Hulk Hogan a lot in that opening, brother? Anyways, the match between Dream and Ricochet was great in every sense of the word. I love the sequence where Dream suplexed Ricochet off the apron to the floor. I've seen the spot done several times (Perfect and Bret come to mind), but WWE did a great job making the fall look even worse than I'm sure it felt to both guys. The end sequence with both guys missing high risk moves and Velveteen getting caught in the "drop zone" for Ricochet's finisher was fitting. This is a match I definitely want to see a sequel to.
Here's a scary second thought: Velveteen Dream is only 22. He hasn't even began to approach his prime yet. This guy has the possibility of being the next big thing in wrestling. He's already been part of several big, highly regarded matches. Imagine where he'll be in 3 years. Please, Vince. Do not mess this kid up when he gets called up. Stick with the formula and let the Dream shine. Best of luck to the Dream.
- Nikki Cross is so crazy, it's hot. I'm going to be a little critical of this match for one simple reason: I felt like Baszler and Cross didn't get to that next level. Then again, when you are following two matches that did that and more, my wrestling taste may be spoiled. Hopefully, NXT will give them a few more minutes next time and give it a hardcore stipulation.
- Aleister Black continues his streak of having his matches overshadowed by whatever Johnny Gargano is doing in the main event with a decent match against Lars Sullivan. There was a bit of a botch towards the end when Black didn't really get much of Black Mass in, but Sullivan still was selling it. They did a good job though covering for that with a solid ending sequence. I was half worried Vince was backstage going "Damn it, Paul. I don't care what you think you are doing down here. We're putting that belt on the big s.o.b. LARS! JINDER! ROMAN! They'll put butts in the seats!!!!!" Thankfully, Vince didn't do that.
- So, I'm supposed to believe a fan just randomly had a stop sign inside signs at a WWE event where police confiscate signs that say the slightest non PC stuff and you get searched before getting into the building.... and was close enough to be where Ciampa and Gargano were brawling for it to be used in the match? Come on. I get it. People love this feud, but this alone lowered my appreciation for the story in this match. I'm not saying these guys don't put their heart and soul into these matches. They sure do. But there are moments that take you out of the story that hurt the match. A stop sign brought in by a fan is one of those moments. This isn't the ECW Arena; it's a WWE event. We know better.
The match itself is really good if you ignore that one spot. It's obvious that Ciampa and Gargano have great chemistry and have something awesome going on. But the end was also kinda screwy in a sense that they break up the match after the table spot, Gargano gets Ciampa back in the ring, hooks his submission in, Ciampa is tapping out like a Rockette on Broadway, and no decision is made. Then, when Ciampa gets Gargano with the DDT and covers him, a referee is magically willing to count. Too convenient yet again. I know Meltzer and his ilk will heap lots of praise and love on this. But I can't. It's just good after some real overbooking. Send your hate mail here.
Overall, TakeOver was just good. It wasn't nearly as good as the other TakeOvers in recent memory. In particular, the main event was overbooked to death in my estimation. The best match was definitely Velveteen Dream and Ricochet. Check that out. But again... no Adam Cole (BAY BAY) or EC3 (Top 1%) matches? I can't be too over the top for this show all things considered.
Thank you all for reading. Provide your comments below, and I hope you enjoy the other posts/reviews I am posting.
Until next time, take care of yourselves and spread some awesomeness.
I was in the middle of taking notes for ROH's State of the Art show from Dallas when I noticed I had way too many notes to lump everything together from this weekend. So, to split it up and save all of our sanity, I'm splitting this weekend's reviews up between the companies. NXT will be first. I'll lump my NJPW/ROH reviews together (since they are tied together in talent exchanges anyways). And I'll post my Money in the Bank thoughts tomorrow (or later tonight if I can stay awake long enough). Without further ado, here are my thoughts on NXT TakeOver Chicago 2018...
NXT Takeover Chicago
- I liked the opening on pain. But I was waiting for "Pain- Watching 3 Hours of Monday Night Raw most weeks."
- Very good opening match between the team of Burch and Lorcan and the team of Strong and O'Reilly. The last 5-6 minutes in particular were excellent. The Undisputed Era was OVER in Chicago. I hope WWE recognizes this and continues to use them to the fullest.
- Is it me or was Velveteen Dream channeling Hulk Hogan a lot in that opening, brother? Anyways, the match between Dream and Ricochet was great in every sense of the word. I love the sequence where Dream suplexed Ricochet off the apron to the floor. I've seen the spot done several times (Perfect and Bret come to mind), but WWE did a great job making the fall look even worse than I'm sure it felt to both guys. The end sequence with both guys missing high risk moves and Velveteen getting caught in the "drop zone" for Ricochet's finisher was fitting. This is a match I definitely want to see a sequel to.
Here's a scary second thought: Velveteen Dream is only 22. He hasn't even began to approach his prime yet. This guy has the possibility of being the next big thing in wrestling. He's already been part of several big, highly regarded matches. Imagine where he'll be in 3 years. Please, Vince. Do not mess this kid up when he gets called up. Stick with the formula and let the Dream shine. Best of luck to the Dream.
- Nikki Cross is so crazy, it's hot. I'm going to be a little critical of this match for one simple reason: I felt like Baszler and Cross didn't get to that next level. Then again, when you are following two matches that did that and more, my wrestling taste may be spoiled. Hopefully, NXT will give them a few more minutes next time and give it a hardcore stipulation.
- Aleister Black continues his streak of having his matches overshadowed by whatever Johnny Gargano is doing in the main event with a decent match against Lars Sullivan. There was a bit of a botch towards the end when Black didn't really get much of Black Mass in, but Sullivan still was selling it. They did a good job though covering for that with a solid ending sequence. I was half worried Vince was backstage going "Damn it, Paul. I don't care what you think you are doing down here. We're putting that belt on the big s.o.b. LARS! JINDER! ROMAN! They'll put butts in the seats!!!!!" Thankfully, Vince didn't do that.
- So, I'm supposed to believe a fan just randomly had a stop sign inside signs at a WWE event where police confiscate signs that say the slightest non PC stuff and you get searched before getting into the building.... and was close enough to be where Ciampa and Gargano were brawling for it to be used in the match? Come on. I get it. People love this feud, but this alone lowered my appreciation for the story in this match. I'm not saying these guys don't put their heart and soul into these matches. They sure do. But there are moments that take you out of the story that hurt the match. A stop sign brought in by a fan is one of those moments. This isn't the ECW Arena; it's a WWE event. We know better.
The match itself is really good if you ignore that one spot. It's obvious that Ciampa and Gargano have great chemistry and have something awesome going on. But the end was also kinda screwy in a sense that they break up the match after the table spot, Gargano gets Ciampa back in the ring, hooks his submission in, Ciampa is tapping out like a Rockette on Broadway, and no decision is made. Then, when Ciampa gets Gargano with the DDT and covers him, a referee is magically willing to count. Too convenient yet again. I know Meltzer and his ilk will heap lots of praise and love on this. But I can't. It's just good after some real overbooking. Send your hate mail here.
Overall, TakeOver was just good. It wasn't nearly as good as the other TakeOvers in recent memory. In particular, the main event was overbooked to death in my estimation. The best match was definitely Velveteen Dream and Ricochet. Check that out. But again... no Adam Cole (BAY BAY) or EC3 (Top 1%) matches? I can't be too over the top for this show all things considered.
Thank you all for reading. Provide your comments below, and I hope you enjoy the other posts/reviews I am posting.
Until next time, take care of yourselves and spread some awesomeness.
Gargano and Ciampa have a story for the ages. It’s so simple, and it’s one of those things you just have to leave alone and let it shine by itself, like a fine wine with a world-class cheese. It’s all you need. Those little moments make us remember that it’s not a shoot. They should know better.
ReplyDeleteBtw, this is great stuff. Excited to keep up with your takes. - AJ
Thanks AJ! I agree with what you said: the feud is great as it is alone. Just let these guys go and not overbook it. They'll probably have a third and final match at TakeOver: Brooklyn. Some are saying Hell in a Cell; I say whatever you do, just let them go tell a story that is as much "shoot" as possible.
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