WWE NXT TakeOver Brooklyn II: 10 Awesome Moments
Nakamura vs. Joe was a hard-hitting strong-style classic!
Last year's NXT TakeOver Brooklyn was memorable for a hard-hitting double main event, and this year's show was no different. Just like in 2015, Bayley found herself going on second from last, this time facing Asuka instead of Sasha Banks. 'The Boss' was around ringside, cheering on her opponent from the original event.
In the headliner, Shinsuke Nakamura was vying to topple Samoa Joe and become NXT Champion. Incredibly, this main event went around the same length as last year's Finn Balor vs. Kevin Owens epic, only shaving around 30 seconds from the match time. All 20-plus minutes were worthwhile, and - rather fittingly - awesome.
It's no secret that Triple H is proud of the work he's done with the NXT brand, it has gone from strength to strength in the last 12 months to become a crown jewel of WWE programming. NXT TakeOver Brooklyn II continued that trend, presenting a sextet of bouts that proved how red hot the entire concept of the brand is.
Let's look in-depth at Brooklyn II, picking out the most awesome moments from NXT's latest special...
10. 'One Year Ago' Intro
If there's one thing WWE will never be criticised for, it's production values. Piecing together the very best team possible, the company routinely knock it out of the ball park with their intros. NXT TakeOver Brooklyn II used the idea of harking back to last year's event in order to sell the importance of this one.
There was a 'where were you?' theme to the introductory video package, and it came across brilliantly well. Not only did it sell the fact that the first Brooklyn show was meaningful to NXT as a brand, it also suggested that the latest entry into the series was one of the most important nights in NXT history.
Bayley spoke passionately about her victory over Sasha Banks in 2015, remarking that it still gives her goosebumps when she thinks about capturing the NXT Women's Title. Meanwhile, newcomer (to WWE at least) Bobby Roode said nobody believed he would be where he is today just one year ago.
This intro package was impactful, punching the viewer straight in the face with a crystal clear message that this show was one to pay attention to.