10 Best Matches In NXT TakeOver History
3. Sami Zayn Vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (TakeOver: Dallas, 2016)
Shinsuke Nakamura’s WWE signing left the wrestling world in shock. He’d been one of NJPW’s standout performers for years, and had built a reputation as one of the sport’s absolute best all-round stars. Though he has the skills and charisma to succeed anywhere on the planet, it was a jolt to see him depart his long-time home for pastures new, but his TakeOver: Dallas debut was an absolute barnstormer.
Sami Zayn was on his way out of NXT at this point. He’d been unsuccessful in his post-injury attempts at recapturing the NXT Championship, and General Manager William Regal saw fit to reward him one last big match. Nakamura was the opponent, and the two put-on a wrestling clinic the night before WrestleMania 32.
Nakamura was an immediate star. His awe-inspiring ring entrance, trademark gesticulations, and hard-hitting style saw him win the crowd over immediately, and he couldn’t put a foot wrong against the face of NXT. He and Zayn engaged in a brutal, fast-flowing Japanese-style match that saw Zayn harness some of Nakamura’s own strong style influences, and as the “fight forever” chants broke-out, Dallas was enthralled.
Nakamura took the victory, but Zayn had ended his NXT stint on a high note and he walked-out from developmental as one of the most important wrestlers in the brand’s history. For Nakamura, it was the first stop on the road to NXT Championship glory, and proof that he was born to become a major WWE star.