10 Best Matches From WWE NXT Takeover History

I know, I know, this isn't technically a TakeOver. Regardless, the match deserves a place on this list. Upon arriving in NXT, Sami Zayn immediately tried to make a name for himself, challenging the visiting U.S. Champion Cesaro. After a hard fought match, Zayn sneaked a win, earning the victory but not Cesaro's respect. They faced off several more times in the lead up to Arrival, Cesaro always having the upper hand. No matter how hard Zayn fought though, he couldn't seem to earn Cesaro's respect.

Fighting with everything that he had and coming up short immediately endeared Zayn to the NXT crowd. Going into NXT: Arrival, Zayn wanted one more shot at Cesaro. The two proceeded to put on a match-of-the-year contender, With Zayn taking Cesaro to the limit but ultimately falling short against the more experienced Cesaro. That wasn't the story of this match though. After leaving the ring and walking up the ramp, Cesaro stopped and made his way back towards the ring. After standing over a dejected Zayn for a long time, Cesaro grabbed Zayn, pulled him up, and embraced him in a genuine show of respect rarely seen in a wrestling ring.

Cesaro coming down to NXT after establishing himself on the main roster did wonders for NXT's credibility going into their first live event. Cesaro and Zayn told a beautiful story, and showed us a glimmer of the level of emotion and competition NXT was poised to deliver in the coming months and years.