NXT Takeover: Philadelphia Recap & Reaction

As is normal with these big PPV weekends, it's a story of two shows and how Takeover continues to out perform it's main roster sibling.

NXT Takeover Philadelphia Results:

Fish & O'Reilly (c) def. Authors Of Pain: While the result was what I expected with the Tag Champs defeating AOP, I had no idea exactly how this match was going to play out. I was quite pleased with this match, AOP looked the best I've seen since they debuted. There was some good back and forth between both teams with AOP looking like the giant meat bags that they are, and the champs being the resourceful heels that they are. Some great selling by all, especially Akam who suffered a knee injury that was exploited by the champs, giving them the eventual win. This match was very good, both teams looked great and I'm actually interested in seeing how AOP perform when they on the main roster, which should be very soon.

Velveteen Dream def. Kassius Ohno: The Dream had a great match against Aleister Black at Takeover Brooklyn and continued to impress here in Philadelphia with Ohno. Velveteen oozes charisma both in the ring and with his promos, and his entrance is fantastic. This was a hard hitting back and forth entertaining match that saw Velveteen pick up the win, a result that was expected. It should be noted that Velveteen was extremely over here. The crowd even started counting to 30 when the match started due to Velveteen saying he would knockout Ohno in the first 30 seconds.

Ember Moon (c) def. Shayna Baszler: I really enjoyed the storytelling in this match from start to finish. It was a slow, methotical match that firmly cemented Moon as the #1 baby face and Baszler the #1 heel in NXT's women division. The build-up of Baszler as an imposing bully has been fantastic. The story of this match is Moon selling an arm injury after Baszler put her in an extended submission sequence that Moon was eventually able to fight out of. Moon would eventually hit Baszler the Eclipse but was unable make the pin due to her injured arm. Baszler would put Moon back into an arm bar with Moon eventually rolling Baszler for the win. The end result was expect, what I didn't expect was just how good this match was going to be. I personally think it made both women look strong. Baszler choking out Moon after the match outside of the ring was great as well.

Aleister Black def. Adam Cole - Extreme Rules Match: The Philly crowd as very much into this match from the start. Black and Cole delivered on of the hardest hitting and brutal extreme rules matches I've personally ever seen. There were chair shots, Cole being tossed onto a latter, Black falling through two tables, Cole sustaining an injured hand that bled like crazy, Black with cuts on his back, Black delivering a double knee shot to Cole through an announce table, and probably the worst spot ever where Black delivered a Death Valley Driver to Cole onto two chairs that were sitting back to back. This match was awesome, the crowd was super hot for it, but hopefully we never ever see that double chair spot ever again. As much as I liked Alpha vs Omega at Wrestle Kingdom, I thought Black vs Cole better. That's just my opinion. The surprising thing about this match was Aleister Black picking up the victory. The insider opinion says the victory for Black means a program for the NXT Title against Cien Almas.

Andrade "Cien" Almas (c) def. Johnny Gargano: Whoa nelly, this match was amazing! There may not be another match in all of WWE for the rest of the year that will be able to touch this match, that's how good it was. There was some great back and forth, plenty of near falls, excellent selling by both men, this match was as perfect of a match that two people can have. There was a great spot where Zelina Vega, Cien's "manager", went to attack Gargano on the outside of the ring when Candice LeRae hopped the ringside barricade to chase off Vega. It was timed so well, and so perfectly with the crowd chanting Thank You Candice. I loved this match, it had everything I want from a wrestling match - great wrestling, great work and great storytelling in the ring. I was so into this match that at one point I actually thought Gargano was going to win, but he didn't. The ending sequence with Almas giving Gargano his signature double knee shot against the ring post on the outside ring apron then giving Gargano a draping hammerlock DDT from the top rope gave Almas the victory.

I have yet to be disappointed by a NXT Takeover, and this Takeover was no different. They continue to be the best PPV's that WWE puts  with this Takeover probably the best PPV in years. With a Takeover being this good, certainly Royal Rumble will be just as good, right? Not really.

NXT Takeover: Philadelphia Predictions

Greetings wrestling fans and welcome to my first in what I hope will be many more prediction posts for WWE PPV's. For this one I am going to look at NXT Takeover: Philadelphia. Bear with me, this is my first attempt at something like this, my hope is that over time as I do more of these types of posts that they will be more informative and hopefully interesting.

Please know that this is just my opinion based on watching the product, there are plenty of other professional sites on the internet that can offer you a deeper analysis and insight.

Pre-Show:
Velveteen Dream vs Kassius Ohno:
From what I've read, the only build-up to this match was a quick backstage segment between the two. I don't know when it happened, but I apparently fast forwarded through this part of whichever show it was on because I never saw it. To me this match was put on the card to showcase one of NXT's bright your stars in Velveteen Dream. He had an awesome match against Aleister Black at Takeover: Chicago that was arguably match of the night, and a very good match against Johnny Gargano this past Wednesday. However, both those matches resulted in a loss. Because of that and his growing support from the fan base, I don't see the Dream losing this one to Ohno.

WINNER - VELVETEEN DREAM

Aleister Black vs Adam Cole - Extreme Rules Match
Given the two competitors, this very well could be match of the night. It's hard not to get excited about this match-up, and I'll admit that expectations are quite high for this one. Problem is, I have no idea what to expect for the finish. Arguments can be made for either man winning, and honestly I'd be happy to see either of them on the winning side. What I don't want is some gimmick finish where there's a no contest ending. The popular opinion online seems to think that Cole will get help from his Undisputed Era buddies which could lead to a run-in from Sanity. If done well that could be pretty entertaining. Cole was brought in to be champion, I don't think there's any argument there. But Black losing a second match in a row after going undefeated since debuting makes this one hard to call. I would like to see both these men in a feud that culminates at Takeover: New Orleans, but then again I would love to see Black as a surprise entrant in Sunday's Royal Rumble.

WINNER - ADAM COLE

Adam Fish & Kyle O'Reilly (c) vs Authors of Pain - NXT Tag Title Match
This is probably the second easiest match to predict. Popular opinion believes that AOP will be called up to the red brand so putting the tag titles on them seems silly. AOP have developed since their debut, and I do believe they are way, way better today than they were a year ago this time. However, I have never liked them or their gimmick since the beginning. I think they are terrible wrestlers, terrible workers in the ring, they can't do promos and the only reason they are in WWE is due to their size. When they do make it to the red brand, they are going to steal the tag belts away from a better, more deserving team. That said, I would be surprised if you see AOP on NXT tv again after Saturday.

WINNERS - FISH & O'REILLY

Ember Moon (c) vs Shayna Baszler - NXT Women's Championship
I've read arguments made for either woman winning this match. I side with the opinion that after spending the majority of 2017 chasing the title only to lose it in her first PPV title defense would be devastating for Moon. Frankly no argument for Baszler winning the title now makes any sense. I like her gimmick and the build-up of this match, but it's too soon in my opinion. What I think is Moon picks up the victory from a possible DQ on Baszler with those two feuding till Takeover: New Orleans. Yes it would be great for Ember to be on the main roster and a surprise entrant in the women's rumble if she loses, but I would really like to see more of these two against each other -  it could really build them up to being the top face and heel in the women's division on NXT. I fully expect Baszler and Sane to be in a program together once this feud is over.

WINNER - EMBER MOON

Andrade "Cien" Almas (c) vs Johnny Gargano - NXT Championship
This is the match that will break my heart the most. I saw Almas and Gargano live in San Jose back in August before Takeover: Chicago, and it was match of the night. It was also a really good match at Takeover. After reading some prognostication on this match, I am of the belief that Gargano does not win this match. This match could very well be match of the night based on what I've seen before, so there's no reason not to be excited for this match. I support the opinion that after a great match, Gargano's victory is snatched away due to interference from Tomasso Ciampa. It's unfortunate, but it honestly makes the most sense for a result. If Almas retains, which i think he will, maybe he feuds with Roderick Strong, dropping the belt to him and setting up Strong vs Cole title feud. That would mean Gargano vs Ciampa come Takeover: New Orleans, who doesn't want that!

WINNER - ALMAS