10 Must-See Matches That ALREADY Make 2018 Wrestling’s Greatest Ever Year
8. North American Championship Ladder Match (NXT TakeOver: New Orleans)
Not since Shinsuke Nakamura winked down the dead centre of a focussed hard camera at 2016's TakeOver: Dallas had an NXT performer managed to do so much with so little, but Adam Cole's effortless theft of the moment midway through this ladder war was the latest moment in his sterling run on the developmental brand that suggested he understands the game he's now playing better than most of those killing themselves in the New Orleans opener.
As he'd done in November's WarGames blockbuster, Cole's deft touch for the dramatic outsold the hundred hard hits hidden within another magnificent spotfest, but didn't undercut the heavy duty shift put in by his peers in an exhausting spectacle.
Debutants EC3 and Ricochet worked hard and smart to sell themselves on a potentially challenging Night One with the organisation, whilst Lars Sullivan staved off the laboured critics in attendance with some frantic power displays. Velveteen Dream used the contest to fly and sell in equal measure, further cementing his relationship with NXT loyalists. Rounding out the pack and the battle, nimble monster Killian Dain again put forth an effort that will ultimately render him Vince McMahon's favourite new pet or biggest regret depending on how well his main roster push turns out when he inevitably gets the call.
Unending debate will rage about where the match sits amongst the greatest ladder matches ever, but to even belong in the conversation in 2018 pays huge compliment to the brave reframing of a tired stipulation.