NXT TakeOver Chicago LD

[Yer Maw]

Here's to a good show.

[BestSportsEntertainer]

This is going to be the first Takeover I've ever watched live.

I hope I don't jinx this.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

Itâ??s been a while. Looking forward to the show

[Yer Maw]

Anyone know who the blonde guy is on the preshow panel

[Jack-Hammer]

Some shows are obviously better than others, but I've never seen a bad TakeOver. Even the weaker shows have been very solid so that sort of consistency is something that I, as a fan, downright need. The main roster is such a crapshoot with Vince putting on garbage skits, changing his mind in the middle of things, stubbornly trying to pigeon hold wrestlers into characters that just don't suit them, hardly caring a whit about continuity and his just his general "I know I'm right because I'm a billionaire" mentality. Were it not for NXT and the fact that there's so much talent on the main roster, however misused some of it may be, I'd have probably long since given up.

[shafe_41]

Anyone know who the blonde guy is on the preshow panel

Pat McAfee. He was an NFL Punter. Loves wrestling. Has been super entertaining when they have him on. Although I believe this is only his second time.

[Jack-Hammer]

Anyone know who the blonde guy is on the preshow panel

They gave his name at the top of the show but I can't remember it. I think the guy was a benchwarmer in the NFL for a while.

[shafe_41]

Anybody have any left field predictions for anything tonight? I don't think we're going to have a night full of just matches happening. Any interfering? Any turns?

[Jack-Hammer]

I'm picking Ciampa to pick up the win tonight, thereby forcing a rubber match at the TakeOver during SummerSlam weekend.

[Sean Valjean]

Anybody have any left field predictions for anything tonight? I don't think we're going to have a night full of just matches happening. Any interfering? Any turns?

Candice turning on Johnny is the only thing that comes to mind.

[shafe_41]

I'm picking Ciampa to pick up the win tonight, thereby forcing a rubber match at the TakeOver during SummerSlam weekend.

Same. My left field booking prediction would be Candace costing Gargano the match. Possibly intentionally. Since she kept saying "no more" and hating this fight between the two, she tries to "wake him up" by turning.

[shafe_41]

Candice turning on Johnny is the only thing that comes to mind.

Just replied the exact same thing above. That it also my thought.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

I can see Candice accidentally screwing something up for Johnny which gives Ciampa the win.

I donâ??t like the idea of Candice turning

[Sean Valjean]

My prediction: Gargano leaves Ciampa lying in a pool of his own blood after an extremely uncomfortable massacre. Takeover ends with Johnny going to the back, looking at himself in the mirror, and recoiling in horror as he notices that his beard has grown to 3x its size.

In the business we call that "poetry".

[Jack-Hammer]

Anybody have any left field predictions for anything tonight? I don't think we're going to have a night full of just matches happening. Any interfering? Any turns?

There's been speculation that if Ciampa wins, it'll be because Candace turns on Gargano with the story being that she's stood by Gargano, seen what he's gone through, been by his side but that everything became "clear" to her when he "failed" to protect her from being hurt physically during his feud with Ciampa. While it might turn out to be good, I'm mainly hoping this doesn't happen because nobody's really gonna buy into it. The whole world knows that Candice LaRae is Mrs. Johnny Gargano, everyone knows they love each other and the simple fact of knowing will cause a weakness in the program.

I think it'd be more interesting if Candace was "hurt" again tonight by trying to do something to help Gargano, or to shield him from Ciampa, maybe even Gargano accidentally hitting her thinking it was Ciampa. At any rate, Gargano could be so overcome with what happened that Ciampa picks up the win. Gargano is furious that his wife gets hurt again and it puts him right back in the seat of the guy looking to claim vengeance on Ciampa to close out the program with said rubber match I mentioned earlier.

[Jack-Hammer]

Whenever Nikki Cross makes it to the main roster, I wouldn't expect her to say much as I have a feeling that Kevin Dunn will hate her deep, pronounced Scottish accent more than he's alleged to hate Becky Lynch's Irish brogue.

[klunderbunker]

Dang it WWE don't make me regret not making the drive up to Chicago.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

This should be great. Itâ??s about time Lorcan and Burch make it onto TakeOver

[shafe_41]

Kyle plays the NXT Tag Title guitar better than Hogan played the WCW Title guitar.

[Yer Maw]

And the crowd goes mild for Lorcan and Burch.

[Jack-Hammer]

This could be the weakest match on the card, though that doesn't mean it won't be fun. Burch and Lorcan just don't have the credibility, they've only won a single match as a team that I know of.

[shafe_41]

Undisputed Era retains. War Raiders take the titles in Brooklyn.

[shafe_41]

And the crowd goes mild for Lorcan and Burch.

Yeah it doesn't help going up against the most over stable in the company.

[Sean Valjean]

Aw, no love so far for Lorcan/Burch. That's kind of surprising given how fans generally dig Oney.

[klunderbunker]

This crowd could be interesting all night long.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

These guys are beating the shit out of each other

[shafe_41]

My prediction: Gargano leaves Ciampa lying in a pool of his own blood after an extremely uncomfortable massacre. Takeover ends with Johnny going to the back, looking at himself in the mirror, and recoiling in horror as he notices that his beard has grown to 3x its size.

In the business we call that "poetry".

It'd be a fantastic horror movie. Gargano sees himself going down the wrong road morally and the beard signifies him turning into Ciampa.

[shafe_41]

These guys are beating the shit out of each other

If this match ended right now with a rollup, it would already be better as a whole than any tag team match on Raw within the last year.

[Sean Valjean]

EC3 should join Lorcan/Burch to form a new stable. They can call it the 1-2-3.

[shafe_41]

This could be the weakest match on the card, though that doesn't mean it won't be fun. Burch and Lorcan just don't have the credibility, they've only won a single match as a team that I know of.

It's a hell of a testament to what NXT has done that Undisputed Era is involved in the "least sexy" match on the card.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

It appears that Burch is busted open

[BestSportsEntertainer]

This is already better than anything I've seen on Raw or Smackdown since WrestleMania.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

I just wanna see Lorcan slap the fuck outta someone tonight

[Sean Valjean]

Lorcan's usual approach of "beat the absolute piss out of people" seems to be winning the crowd back.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

Fuck what a nasty bump

[Yer Maw]

This match is very fucking physical.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

Looking at the card tonight, every match with the exception of Dream/Ricochet looks like it could be incredibly hard hitting

[Sean Valjean]

Lorcan and Burch could be the next DIY if NXT plays its cards right.

[BestSportsEntertainer]

I didn't expect much from this match, but this is freaking amazing

[Black Anaconda Vise]

Fantastic match

[Skairipa]

Yeah i was bummed they gave Oney and Burch this spot but that was fun.

[Yer Maw]

Great match, solid B+.

[shafe_41]

Can NXT please just be its own company? What I wouldn't give to see some of the underused main roster talent to come back to NXT and tear it up.

[shafe_41]

Dave Meltzer just gave this match 42 stars. It would have been 47.5 stars but it didn't take place in Japan.

[Jack-Hammer]

If that's the weakest match on the show then...'scuse me Lord, but Goddamn....

I knew it'd be a fun match but this went above my expectations. I give 3.75 to 4 stars.

[SD619]

That double submission spot was amazing.

[Sean Valjean]

Can NXT please just be its own company? What I wouldn't give to see some of the underused main roster talent to come back to NXT and tear it up.

Whenever I think of Adam Cole coming to Raw, I always imagine his first angle as a multi-week feud with Heath Slater over the rights to the expression "BAY BAY".

[Sean Valjean]

Kairi should have been sitting in the cheap seats using the telescope to see for maximum cuteness.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

If Keith Lee is in the crowd Iâ??ll shit

[Jack-Hammer]

They've dialed back a bit on the Goldust inspired sexual stuff, but Dream still works. He doesn't even need to be that over the top, the kid just oozes charisma.

[shafe_41]

Whenever I think of Adam Cole coming to Raw, I always imagine his first angle as a multi-week feud with Heath Slater over the rights to the expression "BAY BAY".

I just cried and wept uncontrollably thinking that could be a very real possibility.

[Yer Maw]

Can't wait for this.

[shafe_41]

I thought Dream had the stupidest gimmick I've ever seen. He absolutely kills it. I can't even handle how good he is.

[klunderbunker]

I saw Dream on Thursday and he was doing a bunch of Hogan stuff. Suddenly it makes so much more sense.

[shafe_41]

Pardon my French... but that shirt is fucking amazing.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

I like the Prince Puma esque tights and the Hogan look

[shafe_41]

Also... obviously this means Hogan is going to be appearing at some point this year.

[SD619]

Strange, even the commentary team is making a ton of Hogan reference

[Sean Valjean]

Given Hogan's infamous racial comments, a black Hogan seems like the ultimate revenge. Dream is now the ultimate "brother".

[klunderbunker]

Embrace the superhero.

[Sean Valjean]

Christopher Daniels would have slaughtered a small village for Ricochet's jacket.

[shafe_41]

I will mark if Dream gives Ricochet the leg drop.

[Sean Valjean]

Dream's Hogan-isms are cracking me up.

[Sean Valjean]

If wrestling doesn't work out, Ricochet could make a killing as an official Spider-Man cosplayer.

[shafe_41]

Ricochet almost works a little too quick for Dream

[Black Anaconda Vise]

Ah the good â??ole Tope Atomico just like Hogan used to do

[Sean Valjean]

Dream's Takeover matches always tell entertaining stories. Trying to get Black to say his name, attempting to KO Ohno, and now trying to out-flash Ricochet.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

Lol did Ricochet just call Dream a bitch

[Black Anaconda Vise]

Ouch

[Jack-Hammer]

Holy shit children!!!!

[Sean Valjean]

YEOUCH

[Sean Valjean]

Dream's used up all of his big moves to no success. It's time to break out the leg drop.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

Velveteen Dream vs JBL confirmed for the next takeover

[Sean Valjean]

Hot damn, what a fun match.

[BestSportsEntertainer]

Another great match. I'd give it an A- or an A

[Yer Maw]

Dream loses... again.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

Was hoping Dream would win but a damn fine match regardless

[Jack-Hammer]

Great action and storytelling, just a lot of fun from bell to bell. I give it 4.25 to 4.5 stars.

[BestSportsEntertainer]

Tremendous performance from Ricochet of course, but Velveteen Dream could be one of the biggest stars in the entire company if booked properly.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

Iâ??m sure itâ??ll be fine, but I just donâ??t care honestly

[Yer Maw]

Being Scottish, I really hope Nikki Cross wins 👌

[Jack-Hammer]

Given how good the opening tag team match was, maybe this will wind up being the "weakest" match on the card.

[shafe_41]

Was hoping Dream would win but a damn fine match regardless

Nah. I wouldn't think they would have had Ricochet lose his first PPV match.

[Sean Valjean]

Was hoping Nikki would get the big bagpipe entrance McIntyre once got. Except the musicians were random dudes she spent the last few days kidnapping, who were then forced to learn how to play against their will.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

Nah. I wouldn't think they would have had Ricochet lose his first PPV match.He lost the ladder match

[BestSportsEntertainer]

He lost the ladder match

Pretty sure he meant singles. I still think it's the right decision. Dream looked excellent in defeat.

[Sean Valjean]

"Psychotic Scot". Psyscotic?

[shafe_41]

He lost the ladder match

Yes but so did four other people. Nobody remembers the losers in ladder matches typically. Just the winners. But you'd remember Ricochet losing his first 1-on-1 PPV match. I should have clarified.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

That was a match
I watched it
And now iâ??m not watching it

[shafe_41]

Shayna is a fantastic heel.

[Jack-Hammer]

A good match overall, even though the outcome was never in doubt. It was fun seeing Nikki's shenanigans as, apart from the last few weeks, we haven't had much opportunity to see her do her thing for a while. I give it 3.25 stars.

[BestSportsEntertainer]

Easily the "worst" match of the night so far, and it was still good. Probably a B-

[Sean Valjean]

The real story of this feud: Nikki's been suffering from crippling insomnia and wanted to face Shayna knowing that Bazler could put her to sleep. Hence the smile at the end.

Absolutely brilliant storytelling, 17 out of 10.

[Sean Valjean]

Shayna's post-match gloating will never top "I'm the best wrestler you've seen in forever".

[Black Anaconda Vise]

If Keith Lee is in the crowd Iâ??ll shittime to unleash


This match just needs to be 5 Star Lars and Black beating the hell out of each other for under 10 minutes.

[Yer Maw]

Lars is "only" 6'3 I thought he was at Least 6'8.

[Sean Valjean]

Considering Lars is a real life Uruk, it's fitting that they put the Eye of Sauron in his entrance.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

â??COME ON MOTHERFUCKERâ?

lmao

[Jack-Hammer]

Everything about Sullivan makes him look like a badass. The bald head, the Amish beard, the blocky, stocky muscular build, those yellow ass teeth. He just looks like someone you wouldn't wanna mess with.

[Yer Maw]

Everything about Sullivan makes him look like a badass. The bald head, the Amish beard, the blocky, stocky muscular build, those yellow ass teeth. He just looks like someone you wouldn't wanna mess with.

Yeah but he shouldn't talk as he has a bit of a lisp and some people won't take him seriously.

[shafe_41]

Yeah but he shouldn't talk as he has a bit of a lisp and some people won't take him seriously.

When you're a heel that looks like him, that's all you need to be taken seriously.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

Holy shit stretch muffler

[Sean Valjean]

Everything about Sullivan makes him look like a badass. The bald head, the Amish beard, the blocky, stocky muscular build, those yellow ass teeth. He just looks like someone you wouldn't wanna mess with.

On that note, the video of TM61 walking into the Performance Center, watching Lars kill a bunch of dudes, then going "Nope" and turning right back around still cracks me up.

[Yer Maw]

Botch city there

[Jack-Hammer]

They're beating the crap out of each other. Sullivan is looking better than I'd dreamed, this guy can really go.

[Jack-Hammer]

Eh, that was a pretty bad botch there.

[Sean Valjean]

Give me Lars vs Strowman or give me death.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

Botch aside that was some good shit

Black needs to use the Dragon sleeper as an alternate finisher.

So who is next for a title shot? Ricochet?

[Yer Maw]

NXT gets a bit ridiculous with kickouts at times. A slam on the apron and then a head butt by Lars? Sorry no.

[SD619]

Botch aside, this was an amazing match.

[Jack-Hammer]

Aside from the botch, that was a helluva physical match. Both guys looked really strong and I think this was the longest singles match Sullivan has had and I was impressed by him. Black retaining was the right call.

[Sean Valjean]

I almost thought we were going to get an Almas-style surprise title change for a bit there.

[Sean Valjean]

Gargano is Captain America. Does this make Ciampa the Winter Soldier?

[Sean Valjean]

The heck is on Ciampa's shirt?

[Yer Maw]

Damn Ciampa is trying to kill him.

[Sean Valjean]

If this were on the main roster Cole would inform us that Gargano's just having fun out there.

[Yer Maw]

See what I mean about the kickouts?

[Sean Valjean]

Haven't seen someone destroy the ring like this since the Nexus invasion.

[BestSportsEntertainer]

Oh my God Tommaso Ciampa is the greatest heel ever

[BestSportsEntertainer]

When's the last time we saw storytelling like this on the main roster?

[Sean Valjean]

WOW

[shafe_41]

When's the last time we saw storytelling like this on the main roster?

What year was McMahon/Austin at its peak? There's your answer.

[Yer Maw]

Holy fucking SHIT!!

[shafe_41]

OH. MY. GOD.

[shafe_41]

How in the actual hell will they top this in Brooklyn?

[BestSportsEntertainer]

How in the actual hell will they top this in Brooklyn?

I have no idea, but I said the same thing about New Orleans and I think they did.

[Sean Valjean]

How in the actual hell will they top this in Brooklyn?

Hell in a Cell. Bring it to NXT for the first time.

[Yer Maw]

How in the actual hell will they top this in Brooklyn?

Hell in a cell?

[Sean Valjean]

Frankly, I'm amazed Ciampa isn't dead after that fall through the tables. That looked brutal.

[BestSportsEntertainer]

3 straight 5 star matches for Johnny Gargano. He's the wrestler of the year so far

[shafe_41]

Hell in a Cell. Bring it to NXT for the first time.

Also my thought... but would they do it with the HIAC PPV just two months after it?

[Sean Valjean]

Also my thought... but would they do it with the HIAC PPV just two months after it?

It's NXT. They can pretty do what they want since it exists in a parallel dimension to the main roster.

[shafe_41]

It's NXT. They can pretty do what they want since it exists in a parallel dimension to the main roster.

They need to get rid of the damn PPV is what needs to happen. Although I guess it could work because it's happening before the HIAC PPV.

[klunderbunker]

Takeover: Chicago II
Date: June 16, 2018
Location: Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson

It’s time for a sequel and that means things might not be quite as good as it was before. However, the card looks very strong here with all five matches having the potential to steal the show. The main event will likely be Tommaso Ciampa vs. Johnny Gargano II in a street fight, which is completely different than an unsanctioned match. Let’s get to it.

Click on the link below for the full review.

Smile Darn Ya Smile (http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/06/16/takeover-chicago-ii-smile-darn-ya-smile/)

[SD619]

Dang it WWE don't make me regret not making the drive up to Chicago.

Hmmm...

[BestSportsEntertainer]

This was the first NXT show I've ever seen live, and DANG WHAT AN AWESOME SHOW!

Seriously why don't I watch NXT? I have no idea, but I'm very excited for this week's show. Like the most excited I've been for any professional wrestling event since I was maybe 7 years old.

Undisputed Era vs Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan - This was only 4.25 stars. It's better than anything I've seen on the main roster this year and yet the third best match of this show.

Ricochet vs Velveteen Dream - 4.5 stars. Another great match and great storytelling. Ricochet may be a star on the main roster, but Dream should be even bigger. Unfortunately I don't see him going anywhere with that gimmick, which is truly a shame.

Shayna Baszler vs Nikki Cross - 3.5 stars. Fine match. Baszler is a great heel. As KB says, if this is the worst match, you've got an excellent show.

Aleister Black vs Lars Sullivan - 4 stars. I'm running out of different ways to say this was a great match, so I'll just say this was a great match.

Tommaso Ciampa vs Johnny Gargano - 5 stars. Yep this worked. It's the best match I've ever seen and incredible storytelling, which you NEVER get on the main roster. Just incredible stuff and I'm super excited to see where this goes next.

Overall - 5 stars - Again what more can you say? This was incredible and the best show I've ever seen. I don't know if it's better than Dallas or New Orleans, but it's up there.

[Jack-Hammer]

So yeah, NXT knocked it out of the park again. It gets sort of redundant constantly singing the praises of the brand but it's not like there's really all that much choice. From top to bottom, when you take everything into consideration, NXT MIGHT simply be the best thing in pro wrestling.

The NXT Tag Team Championship match was the bout I figured would be the weakest on the card, with "weakest" being a relative term considering that this is an NXT TakeOver event. Hard hitting action, the crowd on fire and possibly a breakout night for Lorcan and Burch. The Undisputed Era retaining was the right call since as fun as Oney and Danny are, they don't have the built up credibility to be the next champs. My guess is that honor goes to the War Raiders in Brooklyn. ****

Ricochet vs. the Velveteen Dream was exactly what I was hoping in that we'd get another classic bout featuring Dream. The action was there, the storytelling was there, the psychology and the chemistry all equaled a helluva match. It's so easy to forget how young Dream is in the business because the kid's a master storyteller in the ring already. Ricochet also showed that he can do more than just the flips, though his athletic high spots are still his bread and butter, and he continues to evolve into a more well rounded performer. It wouldn't have hurt my feelings if Dream had won, but I didn't see it happening as this was Ricochet's first singles match at a major show. To be perfectly honest, I'd love to see Dream's feud with Aleister Black started up again as Dream could be a really fun heel NXT Champion. ****1/2

Shayna Baszler vs. Nikki Cross for the NXT Women's Championship turned out to be the "weakest" match on the card, but it was still a very good outing for the ladies that told a different story. Nikki Cross and her antics were the highlight of the match and she performed well against Baszler. Baszler's a really good heel already, she's playing to her strengths and it all comes across as very organic in that she's not trying to be something or someone that she can't pull off or just doesn't suit her. For instance, she's not primping in front of mirrors and taking selfies while in revealing outfits, she's not trading catty insults with the other women while the fans are expected to view such shit as intensity. Again, no real doubt that Shayna would retain but that works just fine. ***1/2

Aleister Black vs. Lars Sullivan was a hard hitting, very physical affair just as I'd hoped it'd be. The story was simple and effective in that each man happened to be the biggest challenge the other had yet faced in singles competition with Black coming off as the most vulnerable he's ever been. I was worried that Sullivan might not be able to pull off a 15 minute match, that he was only good in short bursts, but he looked quite good against Black. Black came off as the hard fighting, tenacious champion going up against the monster who looked to be able to block and/or withstand his biggest gun. The Black Mass botch was unfortunate, but shit happens and it's not like it detracted from the match. Black retains and Sullivan suffers his first singles loss. ****

Johnny Gargano vs. Tomasso Ciampa in a street fight was...well it just had it all, much like their classic in New Orleans. The action, storytelling, psychology, chemistry was all just a perfect storm that, again, came together. Their first clash in New Orleans was about Gargano achieving a measure of revenge in a way that could have ended the feud then and there. This one was Gargano still seeking revenge but to a degree in which he found himself pushed into a place where maybe he doesn't "belong", pushed into performing acts that don't jibe with who "Johnny Wrestling" is. Gargano snapped when it finally hits that Ciampa removed his "wedding ring" and tossed it into the crowd and that disdain just pushed Gargano over the edge and he unloaded on Ciampa and the various trainers and medics. The DDT spot at the end looked sick and played into the story of Gargano being so desperate for revenge against all the new outrages that'd been brought against him that he was careless. The fact that Ciampa tapped several times, only with no referee, protected him just fine and sets up the rubber match. *****

NXT TakeOver: Chicago II was another outstanding show, as I think we all expected it to be. From top to bottom, I don't think it was quite on the same level as New Orleans because all of the title matches, while very good to great, came off more as holdover matches to me. I don't think any of the titles will be in real jeopardy until the Brooklyn III during SummerSlam weekend. TakeOver: Chicago is more of the "B show" of the TakeOver events, if you can believe it considering how good the show is. It's definitely a show worth checking out. The highlights of the night were Ricochet vs. Dream and Gargano vs. Ciampa II though, again, there wasn't a weak match on the card. It's another A+ TakeOver.

[Slyfox696]

So, genuine question...is NXT really as good as people make it out to be or is it a case where it just has that smaller promotion feel?

[shafe_41]

So, genuine question...is NXT really as good as people make it out to be or is it a case where it just has that smaller promotion feel?

Every single Takeover for the last four years has been better than the PPV the night after it. That should say something. NXT doesn't handcuff the talent. They let their talent go out and tell a story.

[klunderbunker]

So, genuine question...is NXT really as good as people make it out to be or is it a case where it just has that smaller promotion feel?

It really is that good, but NXT is often a place where a lot of the great stuff is in the journey. For instance, the Gargano vs. Ciampa match is very good on its own, but it's taken to another level when you've waited to see them get their hands on each other for ten months. The promotion has the talent and treat it like an old school promotion without a lot of the annoying things about WWE.

But yeah, it really is that good.

[smarkmouth]

So, genuine question...is NXT really as good as people make it out to be or is it a case where it just has that smaller promotion feel?

Honestly, yes. Every big match that they've had over the last few years has been informed by the build up. Consider the story that they built with Velveteen and Ricochet; the build in this feud was Dream saying that he could do anything Ricochet can do, and do it better. It's not exactly Tolstoy, but it was executed within the match in ways that the audience can sink their teeth into. Can't say that I expect anything that's happened in the build do Jinder/Roman to be rewarded in the match itself.

This is one example, but NXT has demonstrated this kind of creativity time and time again.

[Uncle Sam]

I haven't properly watched "mainline" WWE for several years now and I'd consider NXT appointment viewing if it wasn't, you know, on demand. I think that's reflective of my opinion.