2010:
- Chris Jericho Vs Daniel Bryan - NXT 23/02/2010 - This was the first ever NXT match and Chris Jericho had requested to work with Danielson because of all the buzz he had heard about him and because of matches he had seen that involved him. It’s not a long match, and neither mans best match but it was something special seeing these two face off in the squared circle.
- AJ Lee Vs Nikki Bella - NXT 09/11/2010 – In 2010, AJ Lee would debut on WWE Television, and long-time stars Bellas would work with her to teach her the ropes.
2011:
2012:
- Seth Rollins Vs Jinder Mahal - NXT 29/08/2012 – This match was the final in a tournament to crown the inaugural NXT Championship, the winner would solidify themselves as the undisputed future of the WWE.
- CM Punk & Seth Rollins Vs Antonio Cesaro & Kassius Ohno - NXT 23/09/2012 - This match was talked about and raved about for the longest time because it never aired on TV and was impossible to find online; so when the NXT DVD came out a few months ago people were joyful that it was finally available in full and good quality. Wish The Kings of Wrestling had a legit run in WWE, now with Hero back in the company we may get that.
2013:
- Seth Rollins Vs Big E Langston - NXT 09/01/2013 – Big E was a ‘big’ player in NXT back in the day, he had a fun gimmick which was to get the count of 5, instead of 3 during a pin. He would dethrone Rollins as the NXT Champion thus ending his reign.
- Kassius Ohno Vs William Regal – NXT 10/04/2013 - Kassius first run in NXT saw him feuding with commentator William Regal which came to an end when they faced each other in a fun match with each other.
- Adrian Neville & Corey Graves Vs The Wyatt Family (Erick Rowan & Luke Harper) - NXT 17/07/2013 – Before Corey Graves became a great commentator on Raw, he was a star-player on NXT with his tag partner Adrian Neville. These two would face off against the evil cult followers of the Wyatt Family – Rowan and Harper for the NXT Tag Team Championships.
- Paige Vs Emma - NXT 24/07/2013 – This is the final match in a tournament to determine the first ever NXT women’s championship. Which was big at the time because female wrestlers were mainly only called ‘Divas’. However, Triple H wanted to change that and make sure that the females were treated as actual competitors and superstars.
- AJ Lee Vs Bayley - NXT 21/08/2013 – AJ Lee was one of the biggest parts of the ‘women’s revolution’ in WWE, that is rarely brought up. She would become one of the longest reigning women’s champions in the modern era, and would even take her talents down to NXT to face (at the time) rookie Bayley. It’s crazy to think how big Bayley would become within 2 years of this match happening.
- Antonio Cesaro Vs Sami Zayn - NXT 21/08/2013 - 3 ½* - This 2 out of 3 falls match was heard all around the wrestling world, and quite frankly one of the reasons NXT picked up a lot of popularity really recommend you give it a watch.
- Paige Vs Sasha Banks - NXT 11/09/2013 – Sasha Banks, one of the ‘Four Horsewomen’ in NXT would become one of the major players in NXT, but before that she was a preppy, good girl who didn’t make much impact. This match would reveal the birth of ‘The Boss’ gimmick, and would help change the landscape of NXT for years to come.
- Antonio Cesaro Vs William Regal - NXT 25/12/2013 - This was one of Regals final wrestling matches and it was against a superstar with high calibre – Antonio Cesaro. The two put on a great performance with each other – I highly recommend everyone gets to see how good Regal and Cesaro worked with each other.
2014:
- Cesaro Vs Sami Zayn - NXT Arrival - 4 ¼* - The match that helped popularise NXT was getting a rematch on the first NXT ‘Network Special’ and it really did showcase how good the wrestling on WWE’s developmental brand truly was. For those who didn’t know who Sami Zayn was, after this match with Cesaro he was a made star.
- Paige Vs Emma - NXT Arrival - 2 ¾*
- Adrian Neville Vs Bo Dallas – NXT Arrival - 3 ¼* - The very first main-event of an NXT Special would be between champion Bo Dallas and challenger and future face of NXT Adrian Neville. These two would put on a great performance in a ladder match, which made the audience crave for more.
- Charlotte Vs Natalya - NXT Takeover - 4* - I feel like this match is ignored or forgotten for some strange reason, I mean it’s pretty significant. It’s the first ever 4 star rating women’s match under the WWE/NXT banner. These two have great chemistry with each other as well, I know people are down on a possible face-turn for Charlotte on Smackdown, but I hope it happens so we can get another good match with each other.
- Adrian Neville Vs Tyson Kidd Vs Sami Zayn Vs Tyler Breeze - NXT Takeover: Fatal 4-Way - 4 ½* - This was a very fun match, it had champion Adrian Neville compete against 3 competitors for his NXT Championship. All 4 men mesh well with each other perfectly, and quite frankly this may be one of the best fatal four way matches of all time. The crowd were really behind a Sami Zayn victory, but unfortunately that wouldn’t come to fruition. I also feel complied to add that Dave Meltzer acknowledges this as one of the best WWE matches in recent history.
- Kevin Owens Vs CJ Parker - NXT Takeover: R Evolution - 2 ¼* - This was Kevin Owens NXT (WWE) debut match and he was so over with the crowd. A few fun facts was that within 5 minutes he would get his nose broken by an open palm punch by Parker, and that he was actually a babyface in this match but by time the show ended he would turn heel by attacking newly crowned NXT Champion Sami Zayn.
- Finn Balor & Hideo Itami Vs Konnor & Viktor - NXT Takeover: R Evolution - 3 ¼* - This would be Finn Balors debut NXT Takeover match, but I mainly chose it because of three reasons, it shows the in-ring chemistry between Finn & Hideo, it shows how good The Ascension were pre main roster call up and lastly (and probably more importantly) it was the debut of the Finn Balor Demon Body Paint.
- Sami Zayn Vs Adrian Neville - NXT Takeover: R Evolution - 4 ¾* - The match that defines NXT and really show the endless opportunities that being an Independent Star can have once he’s signed to the WWE/NXT. Maybe I just favour this match because Sami Zayn is one of my favourite wrestlers, but I'm a sucker for guys who I watch in different companies make it to WWE/NXT and finally win the big one. This is one of the best NXT TakeOver matches since the inception of the Takeover’s. After the match, the debut of Kevin Owens would help ignite an almost 2 years feud between himself and Zayn when he turned against his ‘best friend’.
2015:
- Sasha Banks Vs Bayley Vs Becky Lynch Vs Charlotte - NXT Takeover: Rival – 4* - The Four Horsewomen of NXT would face off with each other in a really fun fatal four way between each other, these four women helped change and revolutionise the womens division within WWE, and I’m glad they got their moment to show off their talents. I personally can’t wait for the rematch of this match to take place on a main-roster PPV, preferably Wrestlemania.
- Kevin Owens Vs Sami Zayn - NXT Takeover: Rival - 3 ½* - Kevin Owen promised to the WWE Universe that no matter what ‘two months to the day he was going to become the NXT Champion’, and that’s what he did. He completely destroyed Sami Zayn with a series of power bombs, which lead to referee stoppage. I really wish Sami Zayn remained champion for a decent reign however it was relatively short, but it seemed like WWE had plans to call him up to the main roster. However, an injury would prevent that.
- Sasha Banks Vs Becky Lynch - NXT Takeover: Unstoppable – 4* - Women’s wrestling became really big in NXT, and this is one of the best examples. Sasha Banks was an already loved wrestler, but Becky Lynch.. Not so much. But after this match she was a made star. I still believe this may be the most underrated big time match for NXT, it’s commonly overshadowed by the Banks/Bayley match at the following Takeover, but I love this match.
- Kevin Owens Vs Finn Balor - WWE Live From Tokyo: The Beast in the East - 4 ¼* - Yes I know it wasn’t a NXT Event, however it was for the NXT Championship, and one of Finn Balors crowning achievements in his wrestling career. This match was really fun and it’s just a real feel good moment for all wrestling fans.
- Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte - NXT 15/07/2015 - This would be Charlottes last NXT Match against long time rival Sasha Banks in a really decent, but forgotten match. It’s great to see how far these two came from being afterthoughts on NXT to being the first to females to ever main event AND compete in a Hell in a Cell Match.
- Jushin Thunder Liger Vs Tyler Breeze - NXT Takeover: Brooklyn – 2* - It seems strange to me this match was only rated a 2*, I know this contradicts what I always say – “make your own opinions and ratings” but I’m just shocked this match was rated so low – I thought for Jushin’s first WWE/NXT match it was quite decent.
- Bayley Vs Sasha Banks - NXT Takeover: Brooklyn - 4 ½* - I can’t believe it’s almost been two years since this classic match, time really does fly. This match is looked at as one of the most important NXT matches of all time. The reason for that being the build up to this match, the history between the two participants in the match and just everything. These two work great with each other, because they know each other so well. If there’s any womens match.. scratch that – if there’s any match you should watch from seeing this collection I would choose this match.
- Finn Balor Vs Kevin Owens – NXT Takeover: Brooklyn – 4 ¼* - This would be the rematch for their first match in Japan several weeks prior for the NXT Championship. This was the second ladder match for the NXT Championship in history and these men had tough competition on their hand, they had to try and compete with the previous ground-breaking match Bayley Vs Sasha Banks. This would also be Owens final match in NXT which made it even more special.
- Asuka Vs Dana Brooke - NXT Takeover: Respect - 3 ¼* - Asuka’s debut would change the landscape of the women’s division in NXT, there’s a reason why she’s been undefeated for close to two years.
- Finn Balor & Samoa Joe Vs Baron Corbin & Rhyno - NXT Takeover: Respect – 3* - The finals to the inaugural Dusty Rhodes Team Classic.
- The American Alpha (Chad Gable & Jason Jordan) Vs DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) - NXT 28/10/2015 - 3 ½*
- Bayley Vs Sasha Banks – NXT Takeover: Respect – 4 ¼* - The significance of this – simply put; two female wrestlers main evented a WWE/NXT show. They started a revolution in NXT that women are meant to be treated like wrestlers not ‘toilet breaks’. After this match Sasha was fully transitioned onto the main roster and that following year at Wrestlemania she would be involved in the first bout for the WWE Women’s Championship with Becky Lynch and Charlotte.
- Bayley vs. Eva Marie - NXT 25/11/2015 - It’s crazy Eva Marie was heelin’ it up to the crowd for weeks about how she wanted her title match against Bayley that when she got to it, it’d seem like she was gonna win the match. They play into the crowd’s reaction ten-fold in this match with heaps of shenanigans.
2016:
- Finn Balor Vs Sami Zayn - NXT (Live Event) 16/01/16 - It’s unfortunate Sami got injured in mid-2015, we never got to see him compete against Finn Balor for the NXT Championship. However, whilst we never got to see them compete on TV they did compete at live events, and this is one of Sami’s last NXT matches before getting called up to the main roster, I remember seeing it when it was first posted and a bit upset that we never got to see these two compete for the title at a Takeover.
- Samoa Joe Vs Sami Zayn - NXT 09/03/2016 - I really enjoyed this match, but for some reason (maybe cause it was almost a year ago) people seem to either to not remember it or just not like it. I thought it was a fantastic 2 out of 3 falls match, but I wont lie I see a very 50/50 feeling for this match, I’ve seen many people call this boring and slow, it’s all subjective.
- The American Alpha (Chad Gable & Jason Jordan) Vs The Revival (Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson) – NXT Takeover: Dallas - 4* - 2016, was a big change for the tag-team scene in NXT. It’s almost like the people backstage watched the Dusty Tag Team Classic and realised that they had no real ‘tag-teams’ and just threw people together, which can be shown through the winners of the Inaugural Tag Team Classic. These two teams mesh well with each other, and they put on a great match at a really good Takeover.
- Shinsuke Nakamura Vs Sami Zayn - NXT Takeover: Dallas - 4 ½* - Arguably one of the best NXT matches of all time, and frankly I know it’s a lot of people on this subs commented that this was their 2016 match of the year. The chemistry between these two on this night was fantastic, especially since it was Nakamuras debut match in NXT and Zayn’s final match in NXT – a true passing of the torch. Dave Meltzer may have rated this match a 4 ½ but to me this match is a perfect 5 stars. There’s a reason why Sami Zayn had one of the best rated matches of 2016, and it’s because time after time he would consistently steal the show.
- Shinsuke Nakamura Vs Finn Balor - NXT 13/07/2016 - 4* - This was Finn Balors swan song in NXT, it was time for him to move on, and his final opponent would be his friend for Japan – Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura, had to prove himself that he could beat the best, that he could beat icon that he could beat… you (Finn).
- The Revival (Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson) Vs DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) – NXT Takeover: Brooklyn II – 4 ½* - This would be the first time that these two fantastic teams would meet – and they absolutely stole the show. Just goes to show how a great home-grown tag team from developmental and two great independent wrestlers forming a tag team can be. It keeps you in the edge of your seat the whole way through.
- DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) Vs The Revival (Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson) - NXT Takeover: Toronto - 4 ½* - If 2014 was the year of Independent Wrestling in WWE, and 2015 was the year of Women’s Wrestling in WWE then 2016 was the year of Tag Team wrestling in WWE. This was a rematch of their NXT: Brooklyn II match, and they surpassed the expectations of that match. This match is a strong contender for match of the year – and really helped establish both tag teams as tag team of the year.
- Bobby Roode Vs Tye Dillinger Vs Roderick Strong Vs Andrade "Cien" Almas – NXT 21/12/2016 - I feel like this match will get lost in the shuffle of good matches that happened in NXT, and it seems in mid-2016 until about now-ish people seemed to think that NXT was failing in its quality in their weekly TV show, but this match was set out to prove people that think like that wrong. This match was really fun and allowed all competitors to showcase how good they were in the ring.
2017:
- DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) Vs TM-61 (Nick Miller & Shane Thorne) - NXT 04/01/2017 - I really wish that match would’ve been held AT NXT Takeover: San Antonio as well, because I saw this live and they just mesh well with each other so much. It’s a shame Shane Thorne would get injured a few months after this, which has kept him on the sidelines since.
- Shinsuke Nakamura Vs Samoa Joe - NXT 04/01/2017 - Maybe I’m just biased because I was there for this match, but I really enjoyed this match between the two – so I thought it was worth including in this list.
- Bobby Roode Vs Kassius Ohno - NXT 15/03/2017 - After 4 years away from NXT Kassius Ohno would return and challenge now NXT Champion Bobby Roode.
- Aleister Black Vs Andrade "Cien" Almas - NXT Takeover: Orlando - 3 ¼* - The debut of Aleister Black, who I feel like has the potential to be one of the biggest stars, and protégés from NXT. His character and appeal to the audience and his whole package is just unique and something different from what we usually see.
- The Authors of Pain (Akam & Rezar) Vs DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) Vs The Revival (Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson) - NXT Takeover: Orlando - 4 ½* - Arguably one of the best multiple tag team matches in recent history, this match had everything. It was somewhat the farewell match for The Revivial, it showed how good The Authors of Pain played their roles as big men being teamed up and lastly, DIY were all around great in this match. The mix of teams attacking members of Authors of Pain with their retrospective finishers worked fantastically. This is probably my NXT Match of the Year so far.
- Asuka Vs Ember Moon - NXT Takeover: Orlando - 4 ¼* - Asuka has now reached a full calendar year as the NXT women’s champion, and has remained undefeated for over 500 days since being signed to NXT/WWE. Ember Moon was set out to end that streak and become champion, however doing that would be a difficult challenge.
- Hideo Itami Vs Roderick Strong – NXT 10/05/2017 - The most recent match on this list is Hideo Itami Vs Roderick Strong in a number one contenders match to determine who will face NXT Champion Bobby Roode at NXT Takeover: Chicago. It was a really fun match, and shows how feel Hideo can be when he’s not overshadowed/injured and showed how good Roderick Strong is as a wrestler – I feel like this is his best match since being signed. These wrestlers will hopefully go really far with the rest of their wrestling careers.
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