Reviews

The John Report: WWE NXT Takeover 36 Review

By John Canton • Published 22nd August 2021

Welcome to the WWE NXT Takeover 36 Review. Sometimes they have a unique name for a theme for these shows and other times they just put a number like 36 to signify that it’s the 36th NXT Takeover event. It’s the fourth Takeover event this year. This show has five matches on the main card as usual and all of them are singles matches.

There was one Kickoff Show match with Ridge Holland beating Trey Baxter in 1:45. That’s quick. Holland is a guy that should be getting a pretty good push in NXT moving forward.

WWE NXT Takeover 36
From Capitol Wrestling Center at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida
August 22, 2021

The show began with a video package hyping up the five matches coming up on this Takeover event.

The building setup looked the same as usual with the crowd behind the barricades at the CWC. There are about 200 or so fans there. I don’t know the exact number. The announce team of Vic Joseph, Wade Barrett and Beth Phoenix were at ringside welcoming us to the show. Beth said she was at SummerSlam and is working on no sleep.

Ted Dibiase made his entrance first with Cameron Grimes following him. Dibiase was there to support Grimes. It started with Grimes tossing the butler outfit in a trash can. The fans were chanting “To The Moon” for Grimes, who became a popular babyface during this feud. LA Knight entered as the heel Million Dollar Champion.

Million Dollar Championship: LA Knight vs. Cameron Grimes (w/Ted Dibiase)

The stipulation is that if Knight wins then Dibiase has to be his butler.

Grimes countered some Knight trash talk with a hard slap followed by chops. Grimes with a knee to the ribs followed by a back body drop. Knight avoided a submission attempt by bailing to the floor, so Grimes hit a PK kick to the jaw while on the apron. Grimes whipped Knight into the barricade. Grimes got an assist from Dibiase as Ted whipped Grimes into a running kick that knocked Knight off the steel steps. Knight came back with a whip into the barricade. Knight to the apron with a boot to the face. Grimes went up top, but Knight knocked him down with Grimes taking an impressive bump off the apron to the floor. Knight with a catapult that sent Grimes throat first into the bottom rope. Grimes ran the ropes leading to a running cross body block for two. Knight went for a neckbreaker, Grimes blocked by holding the ropes, but when Knight went for a hurricanrana, Knight hit a Powerbomb for two. Good counter there. Knight applied a chinlock, Grimes got out of it and Knight came back with an impressive powerslam. Knight taunted Dibiase as fans chanted “you still suck” at Knight. Grimes avoided an elbow drop. They exchanged holds with Knight going for a moonsault off the top, but Grimes moved, so Knight hit the mat. Grimes with two forearms, then running kick against the turnbuckle and Grimes hit a German Suplex. Grimes hit the hurricanrana this time into a pin attempt for two. Knight with a kick to the face, but then Grimes hit him with a clothesline. Knight kicked the knee leading to Grimes bumping into the rope for a two count for Knight. Grimes with a forearm, Knight with a boot and Knight jumped off the middle rope with a bulldog. Knight with a slam off the shoulders for a two count. Grimes shoved Knight back, Grimes with a kick, Knight with a knee and Grimes sent to the apron. Knight charged right into the charging cross body block from Grimes for a two count. Grimes had a cut around his eye. Grimes worked over Knight with repeated kicks against the turnbuckle, but Knight managed to set up Grimes on the top rope. Knight charged and connected with German Suplex with Grimes taking a bump like a moonsault off the top. That got a two count. Great nearfall there.

Grimes countered the finisher from Knight, Grimes with a Million Dollar Dream submission and Knight drove Grimes to the turnbuckle, but Grimes held on. Knight countered to a pin attempt, Grimes held on and kept on applying the Million Dollar Dream submission, but then Knight sent Grimes face first into the turnbuckle. Knight grabbed the Million Dollar Title, the referee stopped him and Grimes hit a kick to the head that knocked Knight out of the ring. Dibiase decked Knight with a punch as payback for the past. The referee didn’t see it. Dibiase sent the title in the ring to distract the referee and Dibiase applied the Million Dollar Dream on Knight on the floor! Knight was sent back in the ring, Grimes hit the Cave In (a double stomp to the chest) for the pinfall win at 16:31.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW Million Dollar Champion: Cameron Grimes

Analysis: ***1/2 This was a fun match with an outcome that we have been waiting for with Grimes picking up the big win to put an end to the feud. I like how it was booked with Grimes in control early on, then Knight managed to slow it down and it built up to an exciting finish. They had some big spots in the match towards the end of it with Grimes hitting a German Suplex off the top and Grimes was able to kick out of that. I like how Dibiase got involved in the finish. Yes, you could say he cheated to help Grimes win, but it was also payback for Knight punching Dibiase in the past.

Grimes celebrated as the new Million Dollar Champion with Dibiase joining him. That was a cool moment.

Analysis: There was a long-term plan in that Knight/Grimes feud. It started months ago. Grimes was a heel, Knight was also a heel, but then Grimes became likable and earned the respect of Ted Dibiase and the fans. It was booked so well all throughout the feud. Now Grimes wins the feud with both wrestlers benefitting from it.

Adam Cole was shown arriving earlier in the day and Kyle O’Reilly was also shown arriving earlier in the day. Adam’s last day of work in WWE? I don’t know.

The video package aired for Raquel Gonzalez defending the NXT Women’s Title against Dakota Kai, who turned on Kai recently.

Dakota Kai entered first and then champion Raquel Gonzalez was next. They stood in the ring for the championship introductions.

NXT Women’s Championship: Raquel Gonzalez vs. Dakota Kai

Kai with a hard slap to start and then Gonzalez drove Kai back first into the turnbuckle. Kai with a headscissors into the turnbuckle. Gonzalez charged, Kai moved and went to the floor. Kai pulled on the right arm of Gonzalez, but Raquel powered out of it. Kai with a Scorpio Kick that was like a back kick to the head and Kai to the floor again. When Kai went back into the ring, Gonzalez hit two fallaway slams. Kai with a cross body block off the top, Gonzalez caught her and Gonzalez press slammed Kai onto the top rope. Gonzalez with another fallaway slam. Kai pulled on the left arm against the rope followed by a running kick by Kai. Dakota sent Gonzalez back into the ring and sat on top for a two count. Kai with a double knee attack to the face for the two count. Gonzalez with a hard slap followed by a boot to the face. Gonzalez tossed Kai off the shoulders. Gonzalez with a sidewalk slam followed by a splash off the middle ropes for two. Kai countered the Powerbomb by holding onto the right arm and Gonzalez sent Kai into the turnbuckle. Gonzalez got a hold of Kai leading to a spinning Powerbomb for two. Kai came back with kicks to the body followed by a headscissors into a pin attempt for two. Gonzalez lifted up Kai for a Powerbomb over the head leading to Kai bumping into the top rope, then onto the apron and the crowd reacted to that in a big way. Kai charged with double knees, Gonzalez blocked, Kai with a kick, then another kick (I think it missed) and Kai hit the Kairopractor (double knees to the back) for a two count. Gonzalez was going for her huge Powerbomb, but Kai countered and Gonzalez tumbled to the floor. Kai sent Gonzalez back in the ring and Kai hit a double foot stomp off the top on Gonzalez for two. Gonzalez lifted up Kai and drove her stomach first into the top turnbuckle. Kai with punches, they were on the turnbuckle and Kai hit a pump kick to the head. Kai with a charging kick again, but Gonzalez got a hold of Kai and hit the one-armed Powerbomb off the middle rope for the pinfall win at 12:24.

Winner by pinfall: Raquel Gonzalez

Analysis: ***1/2 This was good. An even matchup for the most part with a big move used to get the win in a decisive manner. It was full of nearfalls for both women, lots of kicks from Kai as usual and Raquel showed the heart of a babyface champion in her ability to keep coming back for more. The fans didn’t seem to really get behind either woman, but they did like the match a lot. I’m just saying it wasn’t clear if they were behind one woman or the other. I think it’s possible that Kai is going to be on Raw or Smackdown since she’s been in NXT for a while and she’s had tryout matches recently, so she’s probably ready to be on another show.

After the match, Kay Lee Ray from NXT UK showed up and stared down Gonzalez from the ramp. The fans liked that idea.

Analysis: Good to see Kay Lee Ray in NXT moving forward. I don’t watch NXT UK all the time, but I watched enough to know KLR is very talented and a nice addition to NXT’s women’s division.

They showed Karrion Kross getting ready for his match later.

The video package aired for the NXT UK Championship match between WALTER and Ilja Dragunov. It’s the rematch of the 2020 WWE Match of the Year (in my 2020 WWE Johnny Awards column) in my opinion.

Ilja Dragunov was shown making his entrance. Dragunov had some tape on his forehead because he was cut open on NXT recently. The fans respect Dragunov as the babyface challenger full of heart. WALTER was up next as the long-reigning NXT UK Champion. WALTER was greeted by “WALTER” chants because the fans like and respect him. WALTER was NXT UK Champion for 870 days going into this match.

NXT United Kingdom Championship: WALTER vs. Ilja Dragunov

I usually write Walter in a regular way instead of WALTER during the match. Don’t chop me, Walter. They had Smackdown referee Jessika Carr as the referee of this match.

Walter with a hiptoss, then some chops and Walter was frustrated by how quick Dragunov was. Walter with two knees to the ribs along with a forearm to the face. Dragunov with a takedown by the arm/leg, Walter fought back and Dragunov caught a charging Walter and slammed him down. Dragunov took his bandage off and took down Walter with a tight headlock. Walter tried a suplex out of it, but Dragunov held onto it. Walter with forearms, Dragunov with forearms of his own, Walter with a chop, Dragunov caught the arm and got a takedown on the right arm. Walter powered it by setting up Dragunov on the top rope and Walter hit a huge chop that knocked Dragunov off the top to the floor. Ouch! That was so loud. Walter with a Powerbomb on the apron. Back in the ring, Walter went for a chinlock, Dragunov to the ropes and Walter hit a German Suplex. Walter applied a Boston Crab submission that he sat down on. Walter slapped on a tight headlock on his own leading to a snapmare and a kick to the back. They exchanged forearms and chops with Walter rocking Dragunov, who was trapped in a sleeper. Walter wanted a Powerbomb, but Dragunov turned it into a back body drop. Dragunov with a jumping kick to the jaw, then two clotheslines and Walter hooked the head/arm into an overhead suplex for a two count. Walter rocked Dragunov with a hard chop into the ropes. So loud! Walter with a huge kick to the head to stagger Dragunov again. They got into an exchange of open hand palm strikes, Walter hit a forearm and then Dragunov countered charging Walter into an armbar. Dragunov with multiple back firsts to the head, Walter with a slap, Dragunov with a slap and Dragunov with elbows. Dragunov pulled Walter’s arm and hit a knee to the face.

Dragunov went for a running attack, but Walter stopped him with a clothesline. Walter with another running clothesline with a huge bump for Dragunov that got a two count. Walter with a hard chop to Dragunov’s back while he was against the ropes. Dragunov fired up, he hit a clothesline and connected with his own chop to the back. Dragunov with a German Suplex. Walter with another chop, Dragunov with a kick, a running knee and Dragunov hit a lifting slam for two. Dragunov went up top with a dropkick, Dragunov went up top again and hit a senton splash. Dragunov went for the running attack, but Walter caught him with a sleeper and hit an overhead suplex! Dragunov came back with the Torpedo Moscow forearm. The fans were chanting “holy shit” for them. Dragunov hit the running Torpedo Moscow forearm for one…two…and Walter got his right shoulder up. Loud “NXT” chants from the crowd. Walter and Dragunov exchanged strikes again with Walter hitting a hard chop right into a two count. Walter went up top, Dragunov met him there and hit a superplex off the middle rope. Dragunov went up top with a missile dropkick. Both guys were down. Dragunov charged, Walter with a boot and Walter with a Powerbomb into a pin for two. Walter with more slaps to the face, a knee to the gut followed by another Powerbomb. Walter went up top and hit the Superfly Splash off the top for one…two…and no! Dragunov kicked out. Walter has won many matches with that move. Walter with forearms, then he wanted a sleeper, Dragunov fought back and jumped off the middle rope with a forearm to knock Walter down. Dragunov worked over Walter with repeated elbows to the head followed by a sleeper hold. Walter back up, he walked up the ropes with Dragunov on his back and jumped off the ropes to knock them both down. Dragunov with elbows to the head. Dragunov with another sleeper, Walter dropped back onto his back and Dragunov continued to hold on. Dragunov with a chop to the back, then a forearm to the back, then a sleeper and Walter tapped out to the sleeper! Dragunov wins the NXT UK Title! It went 22:06.

Winner by submission AND NEW NXT UK Champion: Ilja Dragunov

Analysis: ***** Amazing match. I loved this! It’s the kind of pro wrestling that I’ll enjoy forever. Yeah, that’s five stars. It’s the WWE Match of the Year right now. These guys did it again. Walter was a dominant champion that beat the shit out of Dragunov with chops, punches and slaps that left visible wounds on Dragunov’s body throughout the match. What I loved about the match more than anything is the heart shown by Dragunov with the relentless nature of the attacks with the forearms, the dropkicks and everything else that he did. Most fans watching this may not know about Dragunov, but the way he takes a beating and keeps coming back is an example of how exceptional of a talent he is. It was really smart to have Walter tap out to not just put over Dragunov in a big way, but in a decisive way that we have never seen before because Walter doesn’t lose. He just did, though, and by making him tap out, that makes Dragunov look like a huge badass that just gained a lot of credibility. The timing of the match was just right. I thought their match last year might have been a bit long since it was around 40 minutes whereas this one felt just right. I absolutely loved it. I can’t wait to watch it again. Please watch this match if you haven’t done so. It’s so much fun to watch. You can tell these guys put their bodies on the line to entertain us and they delivered a classic match once again.

Dragunov celebrated with the NXT UK Title. They showed replays of the win. Dragunov continued to celebrate. Cool moment for him.

Analysis: What a cool moment. Kudos to WALTER for truly putting over Dragunov even after the match by letting Dragunov put his foot on him. It shows that Dragunov truly was the winner here.

Cameron Grimes and Ted Dibiase were interviewed by Mckenzie Mitchell. Grimes said that his father is smiling down on him because his boy became a champion – the Million Dollar Champion. Dibiase said when he saw the fight in Grimes, he has never been a quitter and because of that, he is the new Million Dollar Champion. Dibiase gave Grimes and Mitchell some cash. Ted said that Grimes is carrying on the legacy of the Million Dollar Man. Grimes said that the party is not going to stop. Grimes said they are going to the moon.

Samoa Joe was shown in the locker room getting ready. William Regal walked up to Joe saying he does what he does best on the active roster. Regal said that he as to stay unbiased and he hopes it entertains the fans, but he wants Joe to kick his ass. Regal shook Joe’s hand.

Analysis: That makes sense since Regal was attacked by Kross recently, so Regal should support Joe even if Regal is supposed to be unbiased.

The video package aired for Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly III in The Undisputed Finale. Each guy has won one match so this is the third match using 2/3 Falls stipulation.

Kyle O’Reilly made his entrance first followed by Adam Cole. I wasn’t paying attention to the entrances because I was still writing about the match before them.

The Undisputed Finale – Two out of Three Falls Match: Kyle O’Reilly vs. Adam Cole

The first fall was a regular wrestling match.

Kyle sent Cole out of the ring, Kyle sent him into the steps and back in where Cole kicked Kyle out of the ring again. Cole teased a brainbuster on the steel steps, but Kyle countered it into a suplex on the floor. Back in the ring, they exchanged strikes, Cole with a kick and Kyle hit a knee followed by a forearm. Kyle with an ankle lock attempt, Cole broke free and hit a running knee to the face. Cole with an enziguri kick to the head and Kyle hit a clothesline with a flip bump. Kyle jumped off the top with a knee, but Cole caught him with a superkick. Cole went for Panama Sunrise, but Kyle countered by sitting on top and got the pin in the first fall. This went three minutes.

Kyle O’Reilly Leads 1-0

The second fall was a Street Fight where anything goes.

Kyle and Cole battled on the floor with Kyle going for a chair from under the ring. Cole came back with a chair shot to the ribs. Cole set up a chair on the floor, Kyle sent Cole on it and Kyle put a trash can on Cole, so Kyle hit a running dropkick off the apron to the floor. The tide turned a bit with Kyle taking a bump onto his ribs and then Cole whipped Kyle’s ribs into the announce table. Cole jabbed a steel chair into the ribs a few times. Cole wedged a steel chair against the turnbuckle, Kyle with a punch, but Kyle was selling the rib injury and Cole kicked him in the ribs. Cole whipped Kyle into the corner, Kyle slid to avoid the chair, but Kyle went ribs first into the ring post. Cole whipped Kyle into the barricade. Cole with a kendo stick shot to the back and an assisted backstabber using the kendo stick for a two count. Cole applied a submission pulling back on both arms, he even put the fingers in the mouth (like Cole’s girlfriend Britt Baker using the Lockjaw) and then Cole elbowed Kyle a few times. Kyle with punches, Cole with a kick to the ribs, Kyle tried a flurry of offense and Cole did a pump kick. Kyle with a German Suplex. Kyle with a running kick to the chest. Kyle drove Cole knee first into the chair and then a dragon screw leg whip sent Cole into the chair. Kyle charged, Cole moved and Kyle ran sternum first into the chair. They each hit three kicks in a row to knock both men down. Cole left the ring and grabbed a steel chain that he put around his fist. Kyle also had a steel chain around his fist. They did some hockey-style punches with the chain, Cole broke free and hit a superkick for two with Kyle getting his right shoulder off the mat. Cole crawled up the ramp, Kyle followed and Cole kicked him in the ribs again. Kyle with a choke hold, then a knee to the face and a whip into the security barricade. Cole came back with a neckbreaker on the floor. Back in the ring, Cole set up two steel chairs back to back. Kyle countered Cole with a slam off the shoulders onto the knee. Kyle went up top, but Cole slammed him off the top so that Kyle’s back hit the two steel chairs. Cole hit the Last Shot knee to the back of the neck for the pinfall. It was 16 minutes into the match.

The Match was tied 1-1.

There were WWE doctors that went into the ring to check on Kyle O’Reilly while a cage was lowered around the ring.

Cole attacked Kyle before the cage was lowered. Doctors were checking on Kyle again, but Cole brought him back into the ring. The referee was talking to Kyle to see if he was okay. The ring crew lowered the cage so that it was locked into place. They showed some replays.

The third fall was a Steel Cage Match.

Cole sent Kyle into the cage, but Kyle fought back and did a catapult that sent Cole into the cage. Kyle with two running forearms to Cole followed by Kyle going up top and hitting a knee drop to the back. Kyle went for the knee drop, Cole moved, Kyle avoided the Last Shot by Cole and Kyle hit his own version of the Last Shot knee for a two count. Kyle set up a steel chair, but Cole came back with a low blow punch to the groin. Cole tried to climb out of the cage, Kyle went up after him Cole punched Kyle so Kyle was crotched on the ropes. Cole jumped off the top rope with a Panama Sunrise for a two count with Kyle getting his right shoulder up. Cole had handcuffs, then he cuffed Kyle’s left arm to the top rope. Cole hit a superkick, then Kyle was back up and hit another superkick. Cole went for another superkick, but Kyle caught it and applied a heel hook submission on the right knee. Cole tapped even though Kyle was cuffed to the top rope. Kyle wins. It went 25:23. The longest match of the night.

Winner by submission: Kyle O’Reilly (2 Falls to 1)

Analysis: ***3/4 This was a very good match where it was a bit tough to follow the match before it. The work was very good, but I didn’t like the finish that much. I think in cage matches you need to try to escape more than these guys did. They had that one attempt, but it should have been more. Kyle sold the rib injury well for most of the match although by the end, it seemed like he forgot to sell the rib injury. It also made Cole look dumb since he tapped out to a guy that was handcuffed to the ropes. Why not just walk out the door or climb out of the cage since Kyle was handcuffed to the ropes? That’s why I don’t like handcuffs in a spot like that. Anyway, I still thought it was a great match. There was a lot to like such as the quick win in fall one to show that Kyle could beat him at any time. The second fall was by far the best part of the match as they used weapons and Cole was so aggressive since he was desperate to tie it up. The third fall wasn’t as interesting. I just think some things could have been better with it, but the end result was what I expected with Kyle getting the win.

Some fans chanted “bullshit” after it was over. When Kyle had his hand raised as the winner (after he was free from the rope), there was a mix of boos and cheers.

Analysis: This was likely the NXT farewell of Adam Cole. I don’t know what his future is. Based on the story, Kyle should have won since Cole is the one that attacked him first and Kyle should get the win over the guy that’s more established. It could mean Cole is going to Raw or SD if he stays in WWE…or he leaves. Up to him. I’ll watch him wherever he goes. I’m a big Adam Cole fan.

There was a commercial for the WWE 24 documentary about WrestleMania Night One that is on Peacock/WWE Network now.

Ilja Dragunov was interviewed by Mckenzie Mitchell in the locker room. Dragunov had scars all over his chest. Dragunov said that the ring general has fallen, long live the czar.

The Legado del Fantasma trio of Santos Escobar and friends talked trash about Hit Row. They are in a six-man tag team match on Tuesday’s NXT with Escobar saying he who laughs last, laughs best.

This Tuesday on NXT:

* Hit Row vs. Legado Del Fantasma in a six-man tag team match.

* Odyssey Jones vs. Carmelo Hayes in the Finals of the NXT Breakout Tournament.

There was a video package about Karrion Kross defending the NXT Championship against Samoa Joe. This has been built up very well over the last few months with Joe coming back as an enforcer and then becoming a wrestler again.

Samoa Joe was shown walking backstage for his first match in about 18 months. I’m glad he’s healthy and back in action. Karrion Kross was next as the NXT Champion. No Scarlett with him since she’s been missing in action for a few months due to not being cleared for some reason.

NXT Championship: Karrion Kross vs. Samoa Joe

The crowd was firmly behind Joe, who opened up with punches and chops. Joe took a few punches, but then he came back with a leaping kick to the head. Joe with a chop to the back, a kick and an elbow drop. Kross went off the ropes, Joe got a hold of him and applied a Coquina Clutch, but Kross got to the ropes. Kross with a Saito Suplex followed by a forearm to the back that sent Joe under the bottom rope to the floor. Kross whipped Joe into the barricade. Back in the ring, Kross with a running clothesline, then forearms, Joe with chops and a headbutt. Joe bounced off the ropes, Kross with a boot to the face and a belly to back suplex. Kross applied an Ankle Lock, Joe rolled through and Kross was sent to the floor. Joe hit a suicide dive with a forearm that sent Kross into the barricade. Kross with forearms followed by another overhead suplex for a two count. Kross charged at Joe, who caught him and then Joe hit a powerslam for a two count. Joe got a hold of Karrion’s foot leading to an STF submission. Joe transitioned into a Crossface submission, Kross got his foot on the bottom rope and Joe let go. Kross came back with a rising knee lift to the head and that got a two count. Kross hit a DDT for two. Kross ran the ropes, Joe with a back elbow and Joe hit an overhead belly to belly suplex. Joe with palm strikes, then punches, a knee to the body, Joe hit an atomic drop, boot to the face and a senton splash for two. Joe with another senton splash on the back. Joe applied the Coquina Clutch submission, Joe took him down to the mat and Kross managed to get out of it. Kross went for a cross armbreaker, Joe broke free and Kross went for the Kross Jacket submission. Joe was fading in the submission, but then Joe got back up and drove Kross into the turnbuckle. Kross with a forearm to the back that sent Joe into the turnbuckle. Kross charged, Joe caught him and hit a uranage slam. Joe with a jumping kick to Kross and then Joe hit the Muscle Buster for the one…two…and three! That’s it at 12:25.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW NXT Champion: Samoa Joe

Analysis: *** The match was good for the most part although I would say it was lacking a bit. Kross isn’t really the best in-ring performer on NXT although I like him as a character. As for Joe, he looked pretty tired out there. Maybe it was just selling, but I think he was probably fatigued since it was his first match in 18 months. Anyway, they did a nice job of going for the submission moves that are very similar, Kross had that elbow that rocked Joe, but then Joe hit the uranage to take control. The Muscle Buster is a move that Joe hasn’t used that much in WWE, so when he busts it out you know it’s probably going to win a match and that’s what happened here. The right guy won.

The win means that Samoa Joe is the first-ever three time NXT Champion.

Samoa Joe posed with the NXT Title on the ramp. Some pyro went off a bit. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: Samoa Joe is the man in NXT again. Congrats to him for making history as the first three-time NXT Champion ever. I expected Joe to win this. As for Kross, I wouldn’t be surprised if they announced that he was exclusive to Raw on Monday. That would make sense to me.

This event had a runtime of 2:27:22 on WWE Network.

Five Stars of the Show

  1. Ilja Dragunov
  2. WALTER
  3. Cameron Grimes
  4. Kyle O’Reilly
  5. Adam Cole

Final Thoughts

It gets an 8.25 out of 10.

I thought it was a great show from top to bottom. There wasn’t a bad match and we got a Match of the Year contender from Dragunov and WALTER just like they did last year. It was a predictable card in the sense that I got every match right including the three title changes. That doesn’t hurt my enjoyment of the show at all. I’m just saying it felt easy to tell what was coming in every match. Credit to the performers for putting on a fun show, especially that Dragunov/WALTER match. I highly recommend it.

Another great Takeover event as usual. No surprise there.

Here are my NXT Takeover rankings in 2021 (out of 10):

NXT Takeover Stand & Deliver (April 7 & 8) – 9

NXT Takeover Vengeance Day (February 14) – 9

NXT Takeover 36 (August 22) – 8.25

NXT Takeover In Your House (June 13) – 8.25

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Thanks for reading. My contact info is below.

John Canton

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