WWE NXT: This time, it was Matt Riddle who earned our utmost respect

In what proved to be an amazing encounter at one of the best WWE NXT TakeOver specials of all time, The Velveteen Dream would defeat Matt Riddle to retain his NXT North American championship. While the Dream had his hand raised, it was Matt Riddle who in the end, earned our utmost respect.

Arriving with the pomp and circumstance that only he can provide, Velveteen Dream sent the crowd in an uproar. Sitting on a throne and with Statue Of Libertyesque headgear, it was clear that The Dream was the WWE NXT Universe’s favorite in this contest. While the Dream brought his usual flair for the dramatic, Matt Riddle was not going to be outclassed on this night.

Their contrast in styles were apparent from the opening bell. Velveteen Dream’s superior psychology and guile would oppose Matt Riddle’s technical wizardry and MMA shoot fighting style. Chemistry plus differences in backgrounds are what make tremendous matches and at NXT TakeOver New York, there would be no exception.

Velveteen Dream moved fluidly around on the ring as his suave persona would come into play. While his mind games work on most individuals, Matt Riddle would not be flummoxed. Riddle was consistently one step ahead of Dream, tossing him around like a rag doll and tying him up like a Windsor knot numerous times in the match.

The crowd was a little unsettled as Matt Riddle would have an answer every instance The Velveteen Dream would attempt to gain the upper hand. Time after time, Velveteen would fall just a step behind due to Riddle’s versatile offense. Riddle would unleash a ‘Codebreaker’, rip cord knee, a ‘GTS’ and an unreal middle rope German suplex from the middle rope. He would immediately follow that up with his ‘Twisting Bro’ from the top rope.

Matt Riddle would eventually lock Velveteen Dream in the ‘Bromission’. Only to have Dream counter it into a nifty roll up to score the three count and retain his NXT North American championship. A crowd that was solidly behind the champion for most of the match, would slowly begin to erupt for Matt Riddle as the match reached its closing moments. By the end of the match,  Velveteen Dream knew that he escaped on this night by the skin of his teeth.

At the conclusion of the contest, Matt Riddle was furious and startled that Dream had found a way to surprise the previously undefeated star. As he stared at the champion, Riddle would offer his fist in a gesture of sportsmanship to Velveteen. After a few seconds of pondering, Dream would return the favor and give Riddle a fist bump. A fitting end to what was probably the most underrated match on this blockbuster card.

At the start of the match, the crowd was pro Champion. By the end, the support was divided in half. The situation was eerily similar to a previous NXT TakeOver. Are you familiar with the battle at TakeOver: War Games between Aleistar Black and the Velveteen Dream? Let me refresh your memory.

Black was the more established star on the WWE NXT brand. A relative newcomer named Velveteen Dream wanted to make a name for himself by knocking off one of the top guys. The match was an awesome culmination of a feud that was the NXT feud of the year in 2017. 

At the end of the clash, Aleistar Black would win the contest. The crowd would effectively be in shock and awe with his counterpart on this evening. The crowd gave a standing ovation for the Velveteen Dream on this night. After the match, Black would grab a microphone and finally say ‘Velveteen Dream’s’ name. The acknowledgement would bring a smile to The Dream’s face.

While saying someone’s name and a fist bump are 2 completely different terms of endearment, the parallels run hand in hand. Dream earned the respect of Aleister Black. On this night, Matt Riddle would do the same by the simple gesture of some knuckles pounding together.

It’s safe to say that this raucous New York crowd were not the only people Worldwide who have been impressed by recent performances of Matt Riddle. Triple H has praised the barefooted superstar, the WWE debuted a ‘Performance Center’ series on YouTube and Riddle was the 1st talent featured on it. The sky is the limit for a young man who has only been involved in professional wrestling for 5 years.

We may even see Riddle and the Velveteen Dream on opposite sides of the ring main eventing a WrestleMania in the next few years. Dream possesses charisma, pizzazz and supreme athletic ability of the likes we haven’t seen in quite some time. Riddle brings a no-nonsense demeanor in the ring that is covered up by his passive ‘Bro’ attitude in interviews. He also brings a unique character to the table, which goes along with the direction that the WWE should be headed in the near future.

One thing is certain, Velveteen Dream entered the ring on this night with the fanfare and fireworks of a superstar. He maintained that status with a victory to remain the NXT North American champion. Yet even in defeat, Matt Riddle’s star would shine bright on this stage as well. If the previously undefeated Riddle can bounce back from this shocking defeat, look for him to regain the momentum he garnered in rapid fashion.

While the crowd knew that the WWE NXT North American champion would put on a show for the ages, it now knows what Matt Riddle is fully capable of. For a man who once said “he’d like to retire Brock Lesnar in the future”, it shouldn’t come as a shock that Riddle just catapulted his career in this match. Even if it took place in defeat. As he continues to gain experience and accolades with every captivating performance, Riddle will point back to this night as the evening he gained the NXT and WWE Universe’s respect.