June 8, 2016
(aired live)
#NXTTakeover
City: Winter Park, FL
Venue: Full Sail University
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Theme Songs: “Karate” by BABYMETAL, “Paranoia” by A Day To Remember
Intro Video
Every beginning has an end.
Match 1
Tye Dillinger vs Andrade “Cien” Almas
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: Almas wins via pinfall after a running double knee smash in the corner
Time: 5:21
Match Thoughts
Good match. Fast paced with plenty of lucha-inspired moves from Almas. Dillinger looked really good as well. Dillinger had some nice counters for Almas, but in the end this was Almas’ showcase match.
Video
Clips of American Alpha beating The Revival for the tag titles at Takeover: Dallas.
Match 2
Tag Team Title Match
The Revival vs American Alpha (Tag Champs)
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Dash Wilder pins Jason Jordan after Shatter Machine to become the first ever two time NXT Tag Champs
Time: 15:53
Match Thoughts
Great match. The pace stayed very high for most of the match. It got a little frantic at times, but not in a bad way. It felt like American Alpha was the more dominant team, but The Revival did a lot of little things, some that went uncalled by the commentators, that kept them in the match. Lots and lots of great reversals, counters, and near falls here.
Ring Area
After the match, American Alpha gets beaten up by two very large guys. Paul Ellering walks out to the stage and watches.
Backstage
Asuka warms up for her match. Bayley walks up and shakes her hand.
Video
Clips of the Nakamura/Aries feud.
Match 3
Austin Aries vs Shinsuke Nakamura
(referee: Drake Wuertz)
#NakamuravsAries
Result: Shinsuke Nakamura wins via pinfall after Kinshasa
Time: 17:06
Match Thoughts
Great match. This match had a great build to it with the bigger moves happening close to the end for greater impact. Both guys looked great.
Video
Buildup for the Asuka versus Nia Jax title match.
Match 4
Women’s Title Match
Nia Jax vs Asuka (Women’s Champ)
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
#WomensChampionship
Result: Asuka wins via pinfall after multiple kicks to the head to retain the NXT Women’s Title
Time: 9:11
Match Thoughts
Very good match. This match felt a little like Shadow of the Colossus. Jax wasn’t terribly mobile, but she did show her power a few times. Asuka attacked from every angle, going for holds, strikes, and submissions until she realistically wore Jax down. It did feel a little like Jax took Asuka too lightly, but that fits with her personality. She did the same when she faced Bayley for the title.
Earlier Today
Andrea D’Marco asks William Regal about the main event. He is excited about the steel cage title match, but he is distracted by Bobby Roode walking by.
Video
Clips of the Balor/Joe feud.
Ring Area
Neville is in the front row for the main event.
Match 5
Steel Cage Match for the NXT Title
Finn Balor vs Samoa Joe (NXT Champ)
(referee: Shawn Bennett (inside), Drake Wuertz (outside))
#SteelCage
Result: Samoa Joe wins via pinfall after a second rope Muscle Buster to retain the title
Time: 16:09
Match Thoughts
Great match. Both guys took a lot of punishment. Joe seemed to dominate early, but as Balor became more comfortable in the cage he began to mount more of an offense. There were some big moves and the cage was used well, but it wasn’t overused.
Show Impressions
Another great Takeover. Not a bad match on the show. I don’t know how much of an ending this was to anything, but I guess that remains to be seen.
Match of the Night
Finn Balor vs Samoa Joe
This was difficult, because all of the matches were good or great, and all the matches were very different. I really think this match and the Nakamura/Aries match were pretty equal as far as my enjoyment of them, but I think the addition of the title and history between these two guys puts the main event over the top.