Two Titles Change Hands At NXT TakeOver: New York
In spectacular fashion...
Fans and critics are already raving about NXT TakeOver: New York, which is drawing more-than-favorable comparisons to last year's New Orleans' show. On a night with five different title matches, two titles changed hands, and both matches are earning high praise.
The NXT United Kingdom title finally changed hands after 685 days. Pete Dunne's monster reign came to an end at the hands (namely the chops) of WALTER, who scored the victory after countering a top-rope rana into a deadlift throwing powerbomb, followed by a top rope splash.
In the main event, Johnny Gargano finally ended his NXT title jinx, defeating Adam Cole in a two-out-of-three falls bout to capture the vacant gold. Cole won the first fall with the Last Shot, while Gargano followed with two straight, winning both via submission with the GargaNo Escape. The Undisputed Era members all interfered in the deciding fall, with Gargano fending off the entire group en route to victory.
After the match, Gargano celebrated with wife Candice LeRae, as well as his family in the front row, before being confronted by Tommaso Ciampa (in a neck brace) atop the ramp. Ciampa hugged his former partner in the evening's final image.
Elsewhere on the card, Tag Team champions The War Raiders def. Aleister Black and Ricochet, North American champion Velveteen Dream scored an upset win over Matt Riddle, and Women's champion Shayna Baszler defeated Bianca Belair, Io Shirai, and Kairi Sane by forcing Belair to submit.
The NXT United Kingdom title finally changed hands after 685 days. Pete Dunne's monster reign came to an end at the hands (namely the chops) of WALTER, who scored the victory after countering a top-rope rana into a deadlift throwing powerbomb, followed by a top rope splash.
In the main event, Johnny Gargano finally ended his NXT title jinx, defeating Adam Cole in a two-out-of-three falls bout to capture the vacant gold. Cole won the first fall with the Last Shot, while Gargano followed with two straight, winning both via submission with the GargaNo Escape. The Undisputed Era members all interfered in the deciding fall, with Gargano fending off the entire group en route to victory.
After the match, Gargano celebrated with wife Candice LeRae, as well as his family in the front row, before being confronted by Tommaso Ciampa (in a neck brace) atop the ramp. Ciampa hugged his former partner in the evening's final image.
Elsewhere on the card, Tag Team champions The War Raiders def. Aleister Black and Ricochet, North American champion Velveteen Dream scored an upset win over Matt Riddle, and Women's champion Shayna Baszler defeated Bianca Belair, Io Shirai, and Kairi Sane by forcing Belair to submit.
Written by Justin Henry
In addition to writing lists and commentaries for Cultaholic, Justin is also a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine, and is co-author of the WWE-related book Titan Screwed: Lost Smiles, Stunners, and Screwjobs.
