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NXT TAKEOVER PHOENIX ON-SITE REPORT
JANUARY 26, 2019
PHOENIX, ARIZ. AT THE TALKING STICK RESORT ARENA
REPORT BY JOSH PARRY, PWTORCH CORRESPONDENT
-The upper bowl was tarped off three quarters of the way around. The only sections opened up were those opposite the hard camera. The lower bowl was completely full, other than a smattering of empty seats around the hard camera booth. Not sure if they announced an attendance number on-air, but I estimate between 8,000 and 10,000.
-One of the biggest reactions of the night went to Mauro during commentator introductions. He got a loud pop and a “Mamma Mia” chant, which was repeated throughout the night after big spots.
Two short matches were taped in the pre-show for next week’s NXT.
(1) Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir defeated Io Shirai and Kairi Sane. Duke and Shafir had good crowd heat. Shirai and Sane are instantly likable and the crowd invested in them as the first babyfaces of the night.
(2) The Forgotten Sons defeated Street Prophets. The crowd played along with Street Prophets’ act. Somebody had handed out red solo cups to the whole central floor section.
-War Raiders were lightly booed in the show-opening video package, but their special entrance and in-ring performance totally negated that early reaction. That said, the crowd was firmly behind Undisputed Era from the beginning too. They got a big pop for their entrance, and their offense was cheered throughout the match. When it became clear War Raiders were about to win, I braced for a crowd backlash, but it didn’t come. Everybody was into the “War!” chant and fist pump.
-As soon as the camera cut away from Pete Dunne and Toni Storm at ringside, they were escorted away, and scurried back through the crowd as the lights dimmed.
-The crowd was tired for the start of Matt Riddle vs. Kassius Ohno. Most went through the motions and joined the “Bro!” chant, but it felt forced. Folks came around for the end of the match. There were big boos and shocked moans for the spots where Ohno stomped on and bit Riddle’s toes. The physicality of the finishing sequence was great. I, along with many around me, was impressed by the submission finish to Riddle’s strikes. I want more of that in my wrestling.
-Ricochet vs. Johnny Gargano was far and away the best match of the night, and one of the better matches I’ve seen live. In fact, at one point after a big spot when both men were down, the sustained crowd roar may have been one of the loudest reactions I’ve ever heard in person. They didn’t lose the crowd for a moment. Unfortunately, the crowd didn’t really come back from this. I want to say on a personal note how lucky I felt to see this match live. The exhilaration of witnessing that reminded me why I stick it out through trying times as a fan. Can’t say enough positive things.
-The crowd popped loudly each time Bianca Belair rallied to escape Shayna Baszler’s submission hold. Loudest boos of the night for Baszler’s victory. It felt like many in the crowd were really invested in a positive outcome for Belair and came to see her win. Overall, the match suffered the same exhaustion effect as Riddle-Ohno did. I don’t envy having to follow the matches they did respectively
-Likewise, the Aleister Black vs. Tomasso Ciampa main event had minimal crowd investment until the ending sequence and post-match. Many in my area were vocally restless during this. I thought it was fine and inoffensive. Definitely a different kind of match to the other show-stealers on this card. It felt like the more typical pace of a WWE main roster title match than a Takeover main event. I haven’t seen any other fan feedback online yet, but if my indifference is unique to me, I’ll put it down to exhaustion.
-The WWE Network broadcast appeared to go off the air after Gargano met Ciampa on the stage. Loud “DIY” chants. At this point, Velveteen Dream’s music played to one of the biggest pops of the night. He walked onstage to confront both champions. Next, Adam Cole came out to join the fray, followed by Ricochet. By this point, Black had limped back up the ramp. Black, Ricochet, and Dream were aligned on one side of the stage against Ciampa, Gargano, and Cole on the other. Referees and agents rushed the stage as a pull-apart brawl ensued. It spilled backstage into the gorilla position. “Wrestling Daddy” Triple H put his foot down and the naughty children stopped fighting. He got a loud ovation when he appeared onscreen.
-To close the show, Black, Dream, and Ricochet returned to the ring for a curtain call of sorts. They bowed and waved to the crowd as their theme songs took turns playing. The crowd applauded each wrestler loudly. Not sure if this foreshadows main roster call-ups, or if it was a way to send the crowd home happy after two consecutive, disappointing title match outcomes.
-The music stopped and Kayla wished everybody a good night. She also made a final hard-sell for tickets to the Rumble, Raw, and Smackdown, all of which appear to be moving slowly.
-Overall, if I copy the Wade Keller Takeover grading system, I place this in the low end of the second tier. Great show, but two standout matches ran away with the opportunity for other matches to stand out and get the same level of investment. This was my ninth time attending NXT Takeover. Something felt missing from this show. Maybe it’s just me running on two hours of sleep from traveling all day, but outside of the two standout matches I mentioned, this did seem a bit more lethargic than the normally stellar Takeover shows we’ve come to expect. Even though it registers lower, it was still a big thumbs up for me; the standard is just so high.
-I paid $55 for my seat in row 15, just off center in the lower bowl. Definitely worth the money and the travel. I suffered some connection delays getting here from Orlando, and got to the venue in the knick of time on very little rest. My writing may need some heavy editing at this point!
Biggest cheers:
1. Standing ovation for Gargano/Ricochet
2. Undisputed Era
3. Triple H
4. Show-closing curtain call
5. Mauro Ranallo
Biggest boos:
1. Shayna Baszler’s submission victory
2. Ciampa’s heel antics
3. Ohno’s heel antics
4. Duke and Shafir’s heel antics
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