WWE NXT TakeOver Chicago II Results, Highlights, And Grades

Credit: WWE.com

WWE NXT TakeOver Chicago II will feature the second bout between Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano, but this “Street Fight” is far from the only enticing match on the show that is capable of stealing the entire weekend.

While Money in the Bank promises to be an excellent pay per view, I can’t remember the last time a main roster show was superior to a WWE NXT TakeOver special. Tonight’s NXT TakeOver: Chicago II show is the third brand’s follow up to two of the best shows in recent memory, as NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia and NXT TakeOver: New Orleans both featured five-star matches that involved Johnny Gargano.

Once again, Gargano figures to set the bar even higher against Ciampa, and many fans expect Ciampa to get his win back after tapping out in April’s “Unsanctioned Match”. Ciampa has taken the psychological warfare to the next level, so it’s only fitting that he’ll pull off a win in the same venue that he turned on Gargano last year.

The NXT Championship will be defended by Aleister Black for the first time, and he has arguably the stiffest test imaginable. I highly doubt Lars Sullivan comes away with the title, but it will be interesting to see how Black holds Sullivan off.

Shayna Baszler had the best match of her NXT career at TakeOver: New Orleans, taking the title off of Ember Moon in dramatic fashion. After standing up for Dakota Kai, Nikki Cross looks to win the NXT Women’s Championship for the first time in her career before she inevitably rejoins Sanity on the main roster.

All of these matches look awesome, but perhaps the most highly-anticipated bout is the grudge match between the arrogant Velveteen Dream and the equally confident Ricochet. This match is a legitimate MOTY candidate, as both wrestlers pull off special moves and memorable story-telling moments like nobody else.

And finally, the NXT Tag Team Championships will be defended by Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly of the Undisputed Era against Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan. These are four of the stiffest and crispest workers in all of wrestling, so this should be a cracker.

It looks like WWE NXT TakeOver: Chicago II could give TakeOver: New Orleans a run for its money as the best wrestling show of 2018. So be sure to check back here at 8:00 p.m. ET for all the latest results, highlights, and grades from tonight’s show. Note: The pre-show, which features Pat McAfee again, begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on the WWE Network.