NXT Takeover: In Your House Reaction

Six Women Tag-Team Match

The night started out with a six-woman tag team match featuring Shotzi Blackheart, Tegan Nox, and Mia Yim against Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez, and Candice LaRae. 

The biggest takeaway from this match happened at the end. Candice LaRae and Mia Yim were brawling outside the ring and into the backstage area. Both superstars did not return to the ring. 

LaRae owns this new persona along with her husband, Johnny Gargano, of wanting to run NXT in their own way. Yim and her partner, Keith Lee, are not fans of this “Gargano Way”.

I expect Yim and LaRae to continue their feud and we could see another mixed tag match with Lee and Gargano joining in. 

In the end, Nox and Blackheart would eliminate Gonzalez from the match, leaving Kai all alone in the ring. Nox would hit the shiniest wizard and score the pinfall victory. This was the first time Nox pinned Kai since they began their feud after Kai injured Nox at NXT Takeover War Games.

The Prince Victorious Once Again

The next match featured Finn Balor taking on Damien Priest. In my opinion, this was the best match of the night. 

The WWE Universe has loved Balor’s new look and Prince persona. At first, Balor seemed like a no-nonsense guy and more of a heel character. However, due to the fans’ liking of Balor, I think the Prince has embraced this and will continue as a face moving forward.  

This feud started when Finn Balor was attacked backstage by an unknown person. That person was later revealed to be the Archer of Infamy. Balor looked to seek revenge and got a quick start to the match.

This match went back and forth, blow for blow. The turning point came when Priest was about to deliver Razor’s Edge to Balor on the steel steps. However, Balor escaped and knocked Priest off the apron and onto the steps.

Balor would hit two Coup de grace and pin Priest for the win. He continues to roll since his return to the black and gold brand.

Johnny Gargano vs. Keith Lee

Next featured Johnny Gargano challenging Keith Lee for the NXT North American Championship. 

Gargano and his wife, Candice LaRae embarrassed Lee’s partner, Mia Yim on NXT, prompting Lee to get involved. That is how this feud started. The match was one of the best of the night.

This was a grueling match. Gargano had trouble at first finding ways to soften up Lee but targeted Lee’s injured left hand and eye to gain advantages in the match. Gargano would even use the keys that he took out last week on NXT to continue the punishment on the champion’s eye.

However, Lee is just too big and strong and was able to overcome the two injuries, delivering two spirit bombs and the Big Bang Catastrophe to retain the championship.

This feud may not be over just yet. 

Adam Cole vs. Velveteen Dream

The NXT Championship was on the line in a Backlot Brawl as the Velveteen Dream challenged the longest-reigning NXT Champion of all-time, Adam Cole. 

The leader of the Undisputed Era made an agreement with NXT GM, William Regal, that if Cole were to beat Dream at Takeover, then the Dream would not get another opportunity at the NXT Championship as long as Cole holds it. 

This was another great battle. Dream and Cole were on top of a ladder when Cole was sent flying onto the windshield of a car. Cole suffered damages to his arm because of the glass that shattered. 

The Undisputed Era would then join in and beat up Dream. However, Dexter Lumis, who has a problem with the UE, was lying under the ring. Lumis took Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish and threw them into the trunk of Strong’s car and drove off. 

Back in the ring, Cole would kick out of the Dream Valley Driver and Purple Rainmaker. Cole got up, hit Dream with a Panama Sunrise on multiple chairs and retained the title. 

Cole has shown resiliency and grit throughout his reign even with the Undisputed Era’s distractions. He is the Greatest NXT Champion of all time. With Dream now out of the NXT title picture, it will be interesting to see if they move him up to RAW or Smackdown.

With regards to Lumis, he will take on Adam Cole in a non-title match this Wednesday on NXT.

Karrion Kross Makes His Takeover Debut

The next one was a highly-anticipated matchup between Tommaso Ciampa and Karrion Kross. This was Kross’ first-ever Takeover match.

This feud started the week after Ciampa fell to Johnny Gargano (One Final Beat) and Kross would attack Ciampa from behind. 

Ciampa challenged Kross to a match, calling it “special”. Kross would agree that this matchup was special but said that he would make Ciampa feel something that he’s never felt in his life. 

Kross has a lot of tools in his arsenal. From big boots to suplexes, and even shades of Brock Lesnar with an F-5 kind of move. Ciampa mustered little offense, offering a couple of knees and willow’s bell that turned the tables. 

Kross was too much though. His strength and power were too much for Ciampa to handle. Kross would lock in the Kross Jacket and put Ciampa to sleep.

Kross is special. Doomsday is upon the NXT locker room. This guy is a force to be reckoned with and he proved it last night. I can see Kross as a future NXT champion or WWE/Universal Champion. He captivates the audience with his character. Don’t forget about Scarlett also. This pair is going to be running NXT very soon. 

The Main Event

The main event was a triple threat match for the NXT Women’s Championship. The Champion, Charlotte Flair defended against her WrestleMania opponent, Rhea Ripley, and Io Shirai.

Shirai showed why she is one of the best in the business with her high-flying abilities. She delivered a crossbody from on top of the house set on the stage, taking both Flair and Ripley out. 

Flair locked in the figure eight on Ripley, but then out of nowhere, Shirai hit Ripley with a moonsault while Flair was still in the submission.

Shirai covered Ripley, winning her first title in WWE. The company and fans love Shirai and what she does in the ring. Shirai is going to get a big push.

As for Flair, she likely will move back to RAW. Ripley will probably stay on NXT, but it wouldn’t surprise me if she got called up to RAW or Smackdown soon.

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