WWE: 15 Best Matches of 2016
By Tim Sherry
WWE.com
2. Sami Zayn vs Shinsuke Nakamura – NXT TakeOver: Dallas
When this match was signed for TakeOver: Dallas, everyone pretty much knew that it had the potential for a 5 star classic. Zayn, in what would be his last match in NXT taking on Nakamura making his debut, have both shown throughout their respective careers that they’re both incapable of having a bad match. You could pair up these two guys against the Bushwackers in a tag team match and they’d find a way to create magic.
Nakamura the NJPW standout stepped into the NXT ring and put on what could possibly be the best debut in the history of WWE. There was lot of hype behind The King of Strong Style and any doubt about his talent was erased over the course of 20 electrifying minutes. It was stiff, violent and beautiful all at once and the NXT crowd ate it up with numerous chants of “Fight Forever!” This match was devoid of all close 2 counts and over the top highlight reel moves. It was just pure, unadulterated professional wrestling performed by two absolute geniuses of the mat.
Zayn, in his NXT finale let it all hang on and showed pretty convincingly that he’s the best seller in the business. In doing so, he passed the torch to the new star for Full Sail University and put his stamp on Nakamura as the next big thing. After Nakamura got the pin, he graciously left the ring to let Sami have a teary goodbye to his gracious NXT fans. What most believed would be brilliant, was that and more and when it was all said and done two men proved that the future of the WWE is in great hands.