WWE NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4 Results, Highlights, And Grades

Adam Cole (c) vs. Ricochet For The North American Championship

Result: Ricochet Wins The North American Championship Via A 630

Rating: A MUST-WATCH

Before the match begins, Adam Cole and Ricochet talk trash to each other. In reading their lips, I can see Cole tell Ricochet, “The championship belongs to me.”

This match is all about Ricochet proving to Cole that he is special, and even heel commentator Nigel McGuinness disagrees with the leader of the Undisputed Era: Ricochet is indeed a special competitor in that squared circle.

Once again, Cole doesn’t listen to the referee’s clean break, but Ricochet’s athletic ability allows him to prevent Cole from gaining an advantage from his underhanded tactics. After Ricochet dodges a superkick attempt, Cole lets him know once again that he is not special.

After Ricochet does his trademark pose, the two trade verbal jabs again, as Ricochet calls Cole a coward. This is in reference to the promo that started this feud, too.

Cole takes offense to this, telling Ricochet, “I’m a coward? I’m a champion!” He starts dominating Ricochet physically, too, on the outside. And yes, he still keeps chastising Ricochet for not being “special”.

But how can you dispute Ricochet’s skills when he’s hitting front dropkicks that look as beautiful as his do? Or how about his dives to the outside?

Ricochet hit some insane flips in this match, furthering the notion that he is indeed “special”. Mauro Ranallo went as far as to call him a “cheat code”, and Nigel referred to him as a “human video game”. Nothing but the truth!

The best spot of the match was when Ricochet did a springboard moonsault, and Cole somehow superkicked him at the perfect time. He followed it up with a brainbuster, and Ricochet had the nearfall of the night by kicking out at two. Now THAT was awesome! It’s amazing how one spot can take a match from “good” to “great” and set everything up perfectly.

Ricochet countered the “Last Shot” into a roll-up for a two-count and then started trading strikes with Cole. Each kick or knee was more vicious than the other, with the crowd on fire for every strike and nearfall.

Another great spot took place when Ricochet played dead, knowing that Cole would try to hit him with the “Last Shot” from behind (exposed knee no less). Instead of going for the cover after countering into a hurricanrana, he went to the top rope, as Cole deftly rolled out of the ring after all the time Ricochet spent climbing to the top rope.

It didn’t take long for Ricochet to make a response, as he hit Cole with a hurricanrana to the outside! Shortly after, he hit the 630 to win the North American Championship!

Rating: EXCELLENT, Best match of the night so far. It’s amazing how one tremendous spot, a hot finish, two popular stars, and a hot crowd can blend to form a memorable match. The North American Championship feels like a big deal now, thanks to these two.