Top 5 NXT Weekly Show matches of all time
So many to choose from and so little time, but let’s take a look at the top 5 NXT matches from the episodic television program.
NXT, for some reason, has been hit with a plethora of changes in recent weeks. Be it budget cuts, a wide array of talent releases; even new management moving forward for the weekly production.
But regardless of all the changes, that doesn’t change the fact that NXT was and still is a better product than even Monday Night Raw.
Glaring question: Has anyone else wondered why Vince and his advisors haven’t decided to re-vamp Raw, which is a show that is in desperate need of one? If you ask me, NXT was much better in character development and performance anyways. Ah, but alas, perhaps this is a story for another time.
None of this changes the fact that NXT has given us some of the greatest matches in pro wrestling history overall. And what’s not to love? Epic women’s division matches, long matches that aren’t at all boring; even epic sellers. NXT has it all.
So there have quite obviously been some pretty stellar matches over at NXT; especially when considering the massive amount of incredible matches at all 36 of the previous TakeOvers. But this time, we’ve decided to keep it to the episodic television program of NXT. How many epic matches we’ve seen on that brand?
It’s probably hard to count, but I can definitely say which ones were some of the best, and that’s what I’ve set out to do in this piece, folks. We’ve left out some epic matches for sure, but like I said, five is definitely hard.
So without further ado…
Adam Cole vs. Matt Riddle / NXT on October 2nd, 2019
Sometimes just mentioning the names of the competitors in the match is enough to drive the point home, and anyone who remembers seeing this match definitely can attest to how amazing it was.
Both these names are currently having incredible runs, and Cole, as we speak is no longer with the company reportedly (and possibly headed to AEW), but that doesn’t change the fact that on the NXT brand, these two names are synonymous with the incredible caliber of match that has been put on, especially on the episodic weekly broadcast.
Apollo Crews vs. Finn Bálor / NXT on November 4th, 2015
Recently, Apollo has sadly been stripped of his coveted Intercontinental Championship, having lost it to Shinsuke Nakamura (yet another NXT ex-pat and honorary roster member).
Apollo was and is an epic talent in that ring and he showcased it extraordinarily on the NXT platform—essentially a developmental platform—his athleticism, balance, execution, and conviction coming through with every passing second of this bout.
And really, with an opponent like Finn, how could this not have made the list?
Bobby Roode vs. Roderick Strong / NXT on July 5th, 2017
Roderick Strong has been in the business for a very long time. Unfortunately, his new angle with his inclusion in the Diamond Mine faction hasn’t yet convinced me, but I’ll give it time, specifically because of Roderick.
As I stated, he’s been here a while and although he is on NXT, a developmental brand of WWE, that doesn’t change the fact that he was wrestling in ROH and on the independent circuit with the likes of Daniel Bryan, CM Punk and Samoa Joe way before any of them were ever even in WWE.
Bobby Roode to me is an in-ring legend overall. In this match, the two of them showed just how much experience they collectively have. The match is pitch-perfect…in pace, timing, and in storytelling; essentially a masterpiece overall.
Bronson Reed vs. Johnny Gargano / NXT on May 18th, 2021
At the beginning of 2021 it seemed like “The Colossal” Bronson Reed was being given one heck of a push from NXT; especially after he was entered into a feud with “Johnny Wrestling” himself.
Reed would lose the first match at TakeOver for the NXT North American Championship but would win it on this night, and in glorious fashion.
The match was a cage match no less, and oh so perfect. Reed, who is a tremendous athlete, gave even Gargano a hard time (a testament to Gargano’s selling ability as well). Overall it was an incredible moment in wrestling in general, let alone my favorite match of the year.
Sadly, Reed was released from NXT in on August 6th—a conundrum to say the least.
Aleister Black vs. Tommaso Ciampa / NXT on July 25th, 2018
Aleister—currently Malakai—Black is enjoying quite the run in AEW after his very own WWE release, and according to webisjericho.com, now with rumors alluded to by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and f4wonline, that Tommaso Ciampa could be next, along with many others (say it isn’t so, Vince…say it isn’t so).
But whatever does end up happening, these men have given their all to the brand, especially Ciampa and Black as well. And “their all,” as I’ve mentioned can be seen perfectly in this number one match. Feast your eyes on perfection, dear readers.
In the end, whatever does end up happening with NXT because of management decisions, they can’t take away the memories.
dark. Next. WWE Extreme Rules Fantasy Warfare: Edge takes on 3 opponents
In the end, the memories of these epic matches, from these epic talents are all we’re left with. So let’s enjoy, eh?
Honorable mentions: anything featuring Io Shirai, Ember Moon, and I really like the whole In-Dex angle. Hey…we’re all allowed our guilty pleasures I guess and I’ve always loved that soap opera feel that wrestling can have. Until the next one, folks.