NXT Takeover: 30 | A Coherent Review.

NXT Takeovers have delivered greatly throughout the "30 years" of Takeover shows. 

This one, in my opinion, wasn't it. For a Takeover program, this was disappointing. 

All of the Takeovers are A's or B's and Takeover 30 was a C at best. 

At least, I like the stage production set. 

pictures via WWE.com

PRESHOW: Breezango vs Legado De La Fantasma vs Oney Lorcan And Danny Burch. Winner Faces Imperium For The NXT Tag Team Championship. 

It was a fine match. Joaquin Wilde's ring gear was really cool even though it took a bit out of the seriousness from the Legado De La Fantasma stable. I'm just nitpicking though. 

Breezango actually won the match and will go on to face Imperium for the tag belts. 

MAIN SHOW: Finn Balor vs Timothy Thatcher. 

Timothy Thatcher started off this match with a series of punches which he then later transitioned into various submission moves. 

Pretty much, Finn has no choice but to adapt to a technical style of wrestling and as a fan of that genre of wrestling, I certainly do not mind it. 

However, that is obviously an advantage for Thatcher. That advantage didn't lead him to a win because Balor with a beat-up leg, won the match with 1916. 

The bout gave fans of technical wrestling like me a good time. An enjoyable opener. 

Damian Priest vs Bronson Reed vs Johnny Gargano vs *ugh* Velveteen Dream vs Cameron Grimes. North American Championship Ladder Match. 

The fire roman lettering in the stage area benefited Damian Priest the most with that sick entrance. 

Also, Bronson Reed got a new theme song and it's decent (nice Bam Bam Bigelow nod with that ring gear).

At one point during the match, Reed got out a ladder collision between Damian Priest and the guy that just got a dead crowd reaction, Velveteen Dream. 

Speaking of the big man, he nailed a splash onto every participant in the match standing unconsciously in the corner along with some ladders. 



Candice LeRae prevented Cameron Grimes from taking the championship on top. 

The other person that she prevented from taking the title was Bronson Reed but unfortunately, Reed delivered a splash from the top of the ladder while LeRae still held on him. 

Bronson threw Dream all the way into the crowd area with the ladder. 

Minutes later, both Gargano and Priest were playing tug and war with the North American title. 



Johnny slipped leading to a fall and Priest immediately grabbed the championship to become the North American championship. 

I've mentioned Bronson Reed a lot in this match and that's because Reed is THE highlight of the match. 

Priest's win was a move that I don't hate. A Reed vs Damian Priest is something I want to see again but this time for the North American title. Oh, and the ladder was decent. 

Adam Cole vs Pat McAfee. 

Corey Graves said on commentary that Pat's confidence is his best weapon and that is the theme of the entire match. 

Pat McAfee did a fantastic looking senton from the top rope onto the Undisputed Era (along with Adam Cole) and McAfee's buddies. 

That dude also nailed a PERFECT superplex from the top rope. 

Cole reversed a kick onto the steel steps and instead, it hurt one of Pat's legs. 

Cole then nailed the figure four leg lock and McAfee somehow got out of it. 

The match concluded with a Panama sunrise from Adam Cole into Pat and Adam walks out of Full Sail victorious. 

If you told me a year back that a former preshow panellist for a Takeover show is going to be part of Takeover as a competitor, I would've called you a liar.

I would've especially called you a liar if you told me that the match was actually fun to watch. 

Dakota Kai vs Io Shirai For the NXT Women's Championship. 

Disappointing but this was an okay encounter. Kai was working on the arm throughout most of the match. 

Dakota accidentally hits the referee with the boot to the face. 

Unfortunately for Shirai, she delivered the moonsault but the ref was already knocked out which means that the genius of the sky can't pin Dakota for a moment. 

Raquel Gonzalez got involved and she did the modified spinebuster on her. Dakota hooked Shirai for the pin but Io kicked out. 

Io delivered the moonsault again and she retained the championship.

After the match, Gonzalez attacked Io from behind and luckily for the champion, she was saved by Rhea Ripley. 

Well, okay. 

Damian Priest is celebrating his North American championship victory with alcohol and women in the hot tub.  

NXT UK is returning next month. September 17th to be exact. If you're an NXT UK fan, this must be exciting for you. 

Keith Lee vs Karrion Kross For The NXT Championship. 

I've been a fan of Karrion Kross ever since he debuted months back. Keith Lee has been a treasure to see in the yellow brand. 

However, this one didn't do it for me. This was a dull, dull, dull, dull match. 

Well hey, at least the right man in Karrion Kross won, right? 

Keith Lee is going to be main roster bound at some point this year so this victory from Kross isn't surprising. 

And yes, Keith Lee's run lasted longer than a blink of an eye. 

So, to recap for all of you slow mofos. 

Like: Adam Cole vs Pat McAfee, Finn Balor vs Timothy Thatcher. 

Didn't like: Keith Lee vs Karrion Kross. 


Let me know what do you think about NXT Takeover: 30 and follow me on the tweets @omartheplayaguy. Anyways, stay safe smarks.