NXT once again, did the unthinkable! It outshine WWE's main show, 'WrestleMania' for the third year in a roll. 'NXT TakeOver: New Orleans" was 5 star entertainment! Taken place at the Smoothie King Center, the event saw the first crowning of the holder of the NXT North American Championship, by hosting a six-man ladder match for the inaugural title. Without spoiling too much of the match, all six competitors; including Adam Cole, EC3, Killian Dain, Lars Sullivan, Ricochet and Velveteen Dream did a hell of a job, making this match, entertaining. All of them, took their share of giving out & receiving punishment through some really dangerous stunt work. Surprising, for a ladder match, they weren't a lot of botches besides the one with Sullivan, Dream and Ricochet. For the most part, the performances was nearly perfect. If anything, the only thing, I kinda wish, the match, had; was a better build. The storyline behind the match seem somewhat rushed; as the North American Championship was only introduce, a week earlier on NXT TV taping. Even, some of the competitors like EC3 & Ricochet only been around for that short of time. There wasn't enough time to get general audiences to get to know, who these guys, were. Thank goodness for them, the crowd that made up, 'NXT: TakeOver: New Orleans' were all die-hard wrestling fans. If this was a normal event, there would be a little more confusement on who these guys are. As for the fanatic complains on championship belt design. I have to somewhat agree with them. The belt isn't that pretty to look at. Nevertheless, it's not the worst design. The old school prestige style metal plates are awesome. It's just the brown color strap that kills me. It really doesn't suite, the modern stage. It looks like a belt, stuck in the 1970s. It doesn't match well with the other belts in NXT. Talking about other titles, the NXT Women Championship match was next, with champion, Ember Moon defending her belt against challenger, Shayna Baszler. Once again, without spoiling the end; the match felt like a mixed bag. It was not as good as their encounter at 2018's 'NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia'. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad match, but if I had to nitpick. I really didn't like, how the roles were reverse from their past clash, with Baszler playing as the underdog, here. She supposed to be, a legit badass street fighter and yet, they have Moon dominate and become the aggressor, most of the contest. It felt odd for a baby face role to do. Still, I did dig how Shayna was able to show her gutsiness, as she forcefully re-socketed her shoulder that she was selling. Nevertheless, the most brilliant part of the match was how she adjusted her submission finish. That was kinda cool. Still, I didn't like how the finish came a bit of nowhere. It didn't fit with the story that they were telling the ring. In the end, the match did no favors for the crowd. It was average go to the restroom style crowd pleasing match. Despite that, it wasn't as jarring as the next match on the card, which saw a triple threat tag team match for the NXT Tag Team Championship and Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic trophy between, 'the Undisputed Era', (Adam Cole and Kyle O'Reilly) (c) versus 'The Authors of Pain' (Akam and Rezar) versus Pete Dunne and Roderick Strong. Once again, like the previous contest in the night, all the performers did alright for most of the match. It just that the betrayal ending doesn't match well, with the story that they were trying to tell, most of the match. It didn't make sense, for somebody to attack another team, during the match, only for him, to deceive his partner, and align with the people, he just punch and kick, a few moments, earlier. The betrayal part wasn't well, choreograph. Despite that, the next match between NXT World Champion, Andrade "Cien" Almas facing number one challenger, Aleister Black was a lot better than their previous, one year-anniversary 'TakeOver' match in Orlando, FL. As least, this one had some build with Almas's manager, Zelina Vega being a thorn to Black's side, during the weeks before their encounter. I also dig that the fans honestly gave the competitors, the respect, they deserve here. It really surprise me, on how much, a year, can do, for a wrestler. This match turn them, into bigger superstars. However, the biggest highlight of the night, has to come from, the yearlong feud between ex-DIY partners, Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano in an unsanctioned match. Not only did this contest, had a wonderful build storyline, going into it, with Gargano fighting to get his job, back, after Ciampa cost it, in the previous TV tapings; but throughout the match, it had a masterpiece of story-telling and emotion. All the moves sets, really did make it, fun to watch; as these two, really had great chemistry in the ring. They really did steal the show. It's highly worth the five-star rating from wrestling insider, Dave Meltzer. It was pretty impressive stuff. Overall: 'NXT: TakeOver: New Orleans' is worth watching, time and time, again! It's indeed one of the greatest, NXT PPVs, shows of all time! So, grab some Bourbon and enjoyed! I highly recommend seeing this show, despite some flaws.
Review of NXT TakeOver: New Orleans
NXT TakeOver: New Orleans
(2018 TV Special)
NXT: Take Over: New Orleans truly did let the good time rolls! This show was amazing!
24 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers