WWE: Ranking the Top 25 NXT TakeOver matches of all time

25. Cesaro vs. Sami Zayn (NXT Arrival, Full Sail University,  2/27/14)

Alright, I cheated on this first entry. It’s not from NXT TakeOver, but it’s from the event that was the precursor to everything that came after it. NXT Arrival was the very first live event to ever broadcast on the WWE Network, even before WrestleMania 30, and this was the first match of the night.

This is so far back in Sami Zayn’s career that he didn’t even have his current beloved music, while Cesaro was still shouting “We The People” because of stablemates Jack Swagger and Zeb Coulter. Both men gave it their all and set the tone for six years of epic NXT events on the WWE Network to come.

24. NXT Women’s Championship Match: Asuka (c) vs. Ember Moon (NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 3, Barclays Center, 8/19/17)

This match really only has one flaw, and it’s that Ember Moon should’ve ended Asuka’s undefeated streak right here and captured the NXT Women’s Championship. Unfortunately, Asuka broke her collarbone during this successful defense and had to relinquish the title just days later.

Despite that one issue, this is a spectacular NXT Women’s Championship Match. It was the farthest anyone had pushed Asuka up to that point, and Ember Moon delivered one of the best performances of her WWE career.

23. NXT Tag Team Championship Ladder Match: The Authors of Pain [Akam & Rezar] (c) vs. DIY [Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa] (NXT TakeOver: Chicago, Allstate Arena, 5/20/17)

On top of being a spectacular ladder match and a bit of in-ring storytelling, it’s the aftermath of this contest that really solidifies its meaning as time has passed. Gargano and Ciampa were desperately trying to take back the NXT Tag Team Titles here, and in the match, we even saw them sacrificing their bodies to protect each other.

Of course, after the match, everything changed. The Authors of Pain ultimately took the win, and Tommaso Ciampa’s devastating post-match assault on Johnny Gargano triggered his heel turn and created the most hated man in NXT history.