NXT Takeover XXX Report Card: Grades Are In From The Historic Event

The end of August is busy for WWE as they have NXT Takeover XXX tonight and then SummerSlam less than 24 hours later. The weekend is packed, so let’s go to the NXT Takeover XXX report card.

NXT Takeover XXX Report Card: Grades Are In From The Historic Event

NXT Women’s Championship: Io Shirai vs. Dakota Kai

Looking at past bookings, Io Shirai has the better of Dakota Kai. I am not sure if Kai is championship material with Shirai around.

Instead of Kai working on the arm, she should have focused on a knee. Taking out one of the wheels would have better affected Shirai’s style of wrestling.

From here, I am not sure what is next. I think Tegan Nox or Rhea Ripley should have been added and whoever did not get pinned would get the next title shot. Grade: B

Finn Balor vs. Timothy Thatcher 

Timothy Thatcher is tough as nails and Finn Balor is no slouch. If there was no gimmick match, this would be the one to possibly steal the show.

While Balor and Thatcher were entertaining, it was not full of spots. Instead, the match was similar to an MMA bout.

Balor winning keeps him close to the title picture. At the same time, a win would have made Thatcher appear like a real threat. Grade: B

NXT Championship: Keith Lee vs. Karrion Kross

In a matter of months, the landscape in NXT has dramatically changed. Keith Lee ended Adam Cole’s historic title reign and Karrion Kross has been pushed like nobody before.

So many questions heading into the match. Does WWE take the belt off Lee so quickly or do we witness a weak spot in Kross? 

After a great show, there was lots of hype heading into the main event. Not the best match of the night, but both did their job. Grade: B

Legado del Fantasma vs. Breezango vs. Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch

The tag titles were not defended, but the pre-show saw number one contenders crowned. Looking at the division, it has really gone downhill over the past year.

Of the entire card, this felt like something not suited for the main portion. But, all six person went out there and delivered.

We needed a face team to win, so there were not many options. Breezango are fun to watch, although tag champions does not seem likely. Grade: A-

Adam Cole vs. Pat McAfee

Before re-signing with the NFL, Rob Gronkowski was set for a SummerSlam match. Instead, NXT featured Pat McAfee.

Honestly, the match made no sense despite some words being exchanged between McAfee and Adam Cole. Even with no wrestling experience, McAfee looked very impressive.

I like seeing what McAfee brings to the table, but he should have wrestled someone else. Cole is the longest reigning NXT Champion and he could beat anyone on the roster.

Still, McAfee could successfully transition into pro wrestling. That was an impressive debut with lots of potential to make this a living. Grade: A-

Ladder Match for NXT North American Championship: Bronson Reed vs. vs. Damian Priest vs. Cameron Grimes vs. Johnny Gargano vs. The Velveteen Dream

Before the bell, I have to give props to the entrances. We got several superstars paying homage to stars from the past. 

Interesting decision by WWE putting the title on the line in a ladder match. Only a few years earlier, the same match was used to declare the first North American Champion.

There were plenty of cool spots with the split from Cameron Grimes to Bronson Reed’s big splash with Candice LeRae. The only way the match could fail is if Velveteen Dream won the title.

LeRae, who was not in the match, was the star. Grade: A-