User Reviews

Orlando's got a lot more to offer than just theme parks and beaches. It's also home to WWE's development professional wrestling promotion, NXT. While it's primary purpose is to create new stars for WWE. NXT has also come to be viewed by wrestling writers and fans as its own distinct entity—effectively serving as a third brand complementing 'Raw' and 'SmackDown'. There is no better example of this, than its periodic 'Takeover' television specials. At first, the shows were initially all held at a film studio at Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL, but as the promotion got more, and more popular with wrestling fans. The studio could no longer, the large amount of fans, wanting to see the shows. From 2016's 'NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II' & onward, the shows have been held at various large venue locations both nationally and internationally; often being treated similarly in the same respect, both in marketing & production, WWE pay-per-view shows gets. In April 2017, Orlando was chosen to host 'Wrestlemania 33', meaning that 'NXT Takeover' will return home, after a year absence. Unlike the previous, early Orlando Takeover events, this time, the show will be held in a bigger venue, as the Amway Center was the chosen for the festivities with five matches being contested. The first of this matches was, the Eight-person mixed tag team match, between the heel team, 'SAnitY' (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain, and Nikki Cross) facing the team of Tye Dillinger, Ruby Riot, Roderick Strong, and Kassius Ohno. Without spoiling the show, too much, I thought the match was alright even if bits of it was too dangerous in how sloppy, the move set were. However, it didn't stop me, from, liking, most of the match. Still, there were parts of it that I didn't like. I didn't like, how Kassius Ohno was a last minute replacement for No Way Jose. Don't get me wrong, I get that, the writers wanted to do, a pre-show, injury angle to give Dillinger's team, more of a handicap challenge to overcome, but I really can't root for the guy. Kassius Ohno is so out of shape, and awkwardly dressed, he stood out, as a sore thumb. I would rather have somebody else, come out, or the match turn into a handicap match. Anyways, that brings us to the next match on the card, which was Andrade "Cien" Almas facing the debuting, Aleister Black. Like the other match, personally, I thought the match was alright, however, I didn't like, how there was little to no build to this. It's the second time that mediocrity Andrade face a debuting star that the fans knew little to nothing about. Because of this, the fans in the arena, didn't really care about the match, nor pay attention to the impressive movements from these two wrestlers. It got so bad, that fans started to chant insults at each other, which distract the wrestlers during the match, leaving some, very awkward moments. I feel bad for Aleister Black. His move set was great, and his entrance music was amazing, but his first match in NXT, fell flat really fast. Thank Goodness, the third match of the night, a Triple threat tag team elimination match for the NXT Tag Team Championship, between, 'the Authors of Pain' (Akam and Rezar), 'DIY' (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) & 'The Revival' (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder) got the fans attention, back to the ring. For the most part, this match was match of the night, even if the 'Revival' ring wear was a bit too, on looking like a bag of Cheetos & the ending to the match was a bit stroppy. I love, how 'Revival" & 'DIY" work together to make a compelling ring story that 'Authors of Pain' was the team to beat. I dig the parts, where they did, the other team's signature moves on 'Authors of Pain'. Great ring psychology. I also didn't mind, the reveal of the new NXT Tag Team Championship belts, in the beginning of the match, nevertheless, I do wonder, if all of the changes to all the NXT belts were done, to make it seem like the company was just upgrading it, rather than changing one belt design, due to what ex-WWE wrestler, Brad Maddox did to the NXT Women Championship in the leak, Paige Sex Tape. Was it, a cover up? Who knows! All that, I know is the new belt design look a bit meh. Not great, but not awful. It will take me, a few months, until I get, use to seeing that design, everywhere. Anyways, that brings us to the NXT Women Championship match between Ember Moon and champion, Asuka. I found this fight to be, a bit disappointing. Not because of the cheap ending, but in the way, the match was slowly contested. It was a hard seat. The main event between champion, Bobby Roode & challenger, Shinsuke Nakamura was a lot better, even if it's equally as slow. Both men have amazing entrances and the match that follow it, was glorious for the most part, even if parts of it, had repetitive moves sets that was used in the last NXT Takeover show in San Antonio. It was enjoyable. Overall: I have to say, NXT delivered a pretty good show that somewhat live up to its hype. It was all worth watching. Let's hope, the good times, continue, after this. I have high hopes for them in the future.