NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn (2015 TV Special) User Reviews

It's time to take a closer look back at NXT Take Over: Brooklyn! Was it Remarkable? Yes, it was!

[ironhorse_iv · 9/10 · 3 June 2017]

At first, the 'Take Over' television specials were initially all held at a film studio at Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL, but as the NXT developmental band/promotion got more, and more popular with wrestling fans. The studio could no longer, hold the large amount of fans, wanting to see the shows. The weeks, leading up to this event, shows that, as NXT manage to sell out, the Barclays Center, during the same weekend in the same venue that WWE 'Summerslam 2015', to aired. This was the biggest event in NXT history at this point, with over 15,000 in attendance. Most of them, eager to see, the next generation of WWE superstars emerged from the limitation of only performing shows, locally near Orlando, FL. However, before the main show, could started. There has to be, some pre-tape weekly television tapings with matches to fill. One of those, pre-show matches, being filmed in Brooklyn, was Enzo Amore, Big Cass & 'Hype Bros' (Zack Ryder & Mojo Rawley) versus 'The Mechanics' AKA 'The Revival' (Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder) & Jason Jordan & Chad Gable AKA the future 'American Alpha). First off, I was really deeply surprise that Enzo & Cass, weren't in the main show, seeing how NYC is near their hometown turf. Second off, I was, kinda disappointed, by how, sloppy, put together, this eight man tag match was. It's weird to see babyfaces, Gable & Jordan, teaming up with the heels, Wilder & Dawson, in this match. Without spoiling the match, it was just alright. The next match was not great, with Eva Marie facing off with Carmella. Nobody was looking forward to this, with Carmella, not truly accepted from the fans, and Marie whom die-hard fans, didn't want to see, due to her fame in the E! Channel, reality show 'Total Divas'. While, fans hated it. The match wasn't that bad. It was also just decent. However, Bull Dempsey versus Elias Sampson was not memorable. Dempsey teases a new look, but it's the same old bull crap. Nothing else, worth saying about this contest. That brings us to the TV tapings, main event, Fatal Four Way between Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Dana Brooke & Emma. It was a total mess with Emma, screwing up the finish, and Charlotte making mistakes on her move set. It wasn't the best way to end the tapings. Nevertheless, the real show begins with 'Prince Pretty' Tyler Breeze fighting off Jushin 'Thunder' Liger. First off, how cool, was it to see Liger, competing in a WWE ring, even if it's NXT. Second, Tyler Breeze's entrance with the models was truly gorgeous. What a brilliant way to show that NXT has made in! Another thing, the match was incredible with great move sets, funny light-hearted storytelling, and a wonderful finish. A great opener. It's just sad, that Breeze hasn't gotten a big money match since this. Nevertheless, that brings us to the NXT Tag Team Championship match, between champions, Wesley Blake & Buddy Murphy w/Alexa Bliss Vs the Vaudevillains (Aiden English & Simon Gotch). Once again, the show had another magnificent match. I love, every bit of it. Even the surprised cameo of Blue Pants was a nice touch. Like Breeze, it's sad, how far, the Vaudevillians has fallen, since then, with Gotch getting fired in 2017. At least, they manage to make it, on the main roster of WWE, unlike the bland & untalented, Blake & Murphy, whom as of this writing, is still stuck in developmental. Anyways, that brings us to the next match on the card, Apollo Crews debut match against Tye Dillinger. It certainly wasn't a 10, because how flat, Apollo is, and how short, the match was. Still, it was better than a lot of Apollo Crews matches, since then. As least, the crowd was engaged throughout the entire match with him. Even if, it's probably due to Tye Dillinger playing off, his amazing gimmick, during the contest. Regardless, it was a lot more entertaining than the next match, which show, Samoa Joe facing Baron Corbin. While, this match wasn't the smoothest. It did book, the two giants, very strong. I just wish, it would had been a little bit better. One match that doesn't need, any improvement, was NXT Women's Championship match, between champion, Sasha Banks and challenger, Bayley. What an intense contest, these two, went through, with. Great, in-ring storytelling. It made you believe in the underdog story. No doubts about it, this match was the highlight of the night. The post-match break kayfabe curtain call style celebration with the Four Horsewomen was icing on a well-bake, cake. Just hate, that Stephanie McMahon try to steal the spotlight from the two women on twitter, afterward, by crediting herself, as the cause of the Divas Revolution. Can't you stop being heelish for just one day, Stephanie McMahon!? Gees, give credit, where credit is due. Anyways, it must had been hard for champion, Finn Balor & challenger, Kevin Owens to carry on, the PPV with their ladder match for the NXT Championship, after that, roller coaster of emotions, with the women match, but they somehow able to semi-pull it off. The crowd was really into it, despite a few distractions from fans with streamers. For the most part, it was very entertaining, for what it was. A gimmick ladder match for the most part, wasn't really needed. This feud between Owens & Balor would probably work better, as an average wrestling match. However, it wouldn't matter, as it still would greatly be overshadow, by what happen, earlier in the night. Overall: it was an incredible show with the crowd energy over flowing. The series of exciting matches with stories being told and culminating in an electrifying fashion, made this Takeover, one of favorite, wrestling shows of all time. It is a must watch for anybody, who hasn't seen it. Highly recommended.