WWE: Every NXT TakeOver of 2019 ranked from worst to best
The NXT TakeOver specials offered some of the WWE’s best events of the year. Let’s rank every single TakeOver that aired in 2019 from worst to best.
WWE’s marquee brands of Raw and SmackDown had a massive (practically countless) line-up of Pay-Per-View shows in 2020, while NXT was reduced to just a handful of TakeOver shows this year.
However, due to the consistent and sheer sensational quality that these TakeOver shows produce every time, all the brand needs is a handful of shows. Some fans would go as far as to argue that every show in this small handful was better than every (or at least most) PPV events that Raw or SmackDown could put on in any given year.
Sine 2014, these TakeOver shows have continued to dazzle the world with a hybrid style of wrestling that borders between WWE’s usual style and a more unique independent wrestling style that many of the newly signed talents still carry over from the indies. This often results in some awe inspiring matches every show and 2019 was no different.
In fact, perhaps in light of big moments like NXT finally getting its own television deal with USA Network and the awakening of a spinoff brand in NXT UK, these TakeOver events hit just a little bit harder than they usually do. Let’s talk recap every TakeOver we saw this year from the worst to the best.
7. Toronto
I might be in the minority in saying this, but I did not care at all for Gargano vs. Cole III. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that NXT had at this point delivered this match at three straight TakeOvers in seven straight match types had something to do with it, but I genuinely believe the third encounter in their trilogy was their worst.
They rushed to the second fall and while the No DQ portion of the match was fun, the hardcore cage concept in the third fall felt like overkill. Like, crash test dummy fodder kind of overkill. Maybe its something more for hardcore enthusiasts or the pro-ECW crowd, but it’s just not for me.
Above all else, Gargano and Cole did everything they could do with each other over the course of their first two TakeOver events and to do it for a third show in another three matches, they clearly went to the well one too many times and forced it.
Beyond a disappointing main event, most of the card (while somewhat enjoyable in the moment) remains unforgettable after the curtain calls. The only high points of the night for me (albeit, they were huge high points) were two electric show stealers in Candice LeRae vs. Io Shirai and Street Profits vs. Undisputed Era.
6. WarGames
The most recent and final TakeOver event of 2019 is best remembered for its moments more so than its matches. That statement does more to praise the moments in general than criticize the match quality. Just look at the moments themselves.
Kevin Owens made his triumphant homecoming to the NXT Universe, Dakota Kai turned heel on her comrades, Rhea Ripley came back for her team with a two-to-five disadvantage, and Keith Lee. Just Keith Lee. Dude’s built like a brickhouse and he wrestled like one. That’s a moment onto itself.