WWE
NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4 Final Results and Grades
NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4 was without a doubt one of the more entertaining NXT TakeOver events we have seen in quite some time. But just how great was NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4?
(NXT Tag Team Championship) The Undisputed Era def. Mustache Mountain via pinfall to retain
Final Grade: A
If you ever wanted to know how to kickoff an NXT TakeOver special, this is the way to do it. The main concern of the math was Undisputed Era’s targeting of the knee of both Trent Seven and Tyler Bate. In their last encounter, Tyler Bate threw in the towel to protect the knee of his partner. That resulted in their loss of the tag titles. This match continued the drama of the knee with Kyle O’Reilly’s submission-based wrestling.
Multiple tag team moves brought both exciting and blood-pumping moments to the slower parts of the match. Trent Seven went all-out with stiff shots to both opponents. O’Reilly looked to wear down and dismantle his opposition with submission after submission. In the end, like the last encounter between these teams, the focus on the knee was the decisive factor. A high-low combo kick from the Undisputed Era onto Trent Seven was what settled the match. Chants of “Fight Forever” and “NXT” just added to the emotional drama this battle carried.
Overall, an incredible way to open the show.
Velveteen Dream def. EC3 via pinfall
Final Grade: B+
The only downside that can be found is that the wrong man may have won. The match itself was entertaining, but not nearly as good as Dream’s previous matches with Aleister Black and Ricochet. EC3 put on a good showing but seemed to be on the receiving end of offense for most of the match.
Dream ended the match after a rolling Death Valley Driver onto the apron was followed by the Purple Rain Maker. Dream surprisingly won after a pretty decent under-card match.
Extra points for Dream’s “Call Me Up, Vince” wrestling tights.
(NXT North American Championship) Ricochet def. Adam Cole (BAY BAY) via pinfall to win the title
Final Grade: A+
Talk about a show stealer. If anyone ever doubted Ricochet’s in-ring athleticism, or Adam Cole’s technical proles, they have been silenced. Ricochet’s off the wall spring-board attacks amazed the Brooklyn crowd. Cole’s ability to turn Ricochet’s own offense against him made people literally jump out of their seat. Ricochet attempted a handspring back elbow, only to be reversed into a Back Stabber. Cole seemed to have gotten to safety on the apron only to see Ricochet jump the ropes and Hurricanrana him off said apron.
Oh, this happened too….
But was that the end? Of course it wasn’t. The ending came when Ricochet connected with his signature 630 Senton for the final pinfall. A congratulation is in order for the new champion.
(NXT Women’s Championship) Kairi Sane def. Shayna Baszler via pinfall to win the title
Final Grade: A-
This match had a lot to live up to, and it certainly did. A lot of people weren’t sure how this match would play out, but it was one of the more entertaining women’s matches NXT has seen. Baszler targeted Sane’s knee to hopefully keep her grounded. Sane showed more aggression and determination than we’ve seen from her since her debut. A rematch from last year’s Mae Young Classic that was a thousand times better than expected.
It took three Insane Elbow Drops before Sane seemed to have the match won. But Baszler blocked the third with her knees and locked Sane in the rear naked choke. Just when it seemed all hope was lost, Sane managed to gain leverage and pin Baszler to become the new Women’s Champion.
If it weren’t for Adam Cole (BAY BAY) vs. Ricochet, this may have been singles match of the night.
(NXT Championship) Last Man Standing: Tommaso Ciampa def. Johnny Gargano
Final Grade: C+
Before you grab your pitchforks and torches, let me explain the grade. Take away the weapon spots, stripping the ring and outside padding, and strange finish. And then what is really left of this match? Truthfully, it felt as though this match relied too heavily on the extreme spots. It was a very good match, excitement and innovation-wise, but it felt nothing more than a spot-fest with a blood feud built around it.
A table was stacked upside down on top of another on the outside over exposed concrete. Gargano was buried under a part of the barricade, a production crate, a camera man (no, seriously), and the ring bell. The match came to an end when Gargano handcuffed Ciampa to the stage and delivered several superkicks to his former best friend. Gargano went for the final blow with a running knee to Ciampa, but put too much force into it and launched himself into a sound amplifier to the side of the stage. Gargano started writhing in pain while clutching at his knee. Ciampa was able to roll off the stage and onto his feet in time to answer the referee’s ten count.
This match would’ve gotten a C- if it weren’t for the epic storytelling between the two wrestlers.
Overall NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4 Grade: A-
This TakeOver has set a new standard that will be hard to top. Hopefully, NXT TakeOver: War Games 2 finds a way to live up to it this November.
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