10 Best NXT Matches Of 2019 (So Far)

7. Matt Riddle Vs Roderick Strong (TakeOver: XXV)

NXT TakeOver NY 095
WWE

An entirely different offering from the 'Original Bro' than his heelish (and ultimately unsuccessful) deconstruction of The Velveteen Dream, Matt Riddle was back to boy-popping form in the early stages of his TakeOver: XXV opener with Roderick Strong before The Undisputed Era forced out his wilder side with his relentless back-based battering.

Riddle is such a unique character at present - able to ostensibly care little for the challenge ahead, he's nonetheless armed with enough of an arsenal to completely crush most of the competition if he wants. For the first time since debuting in NXT in 2018, he was forced into fighting rather than doing it mostly for fun. Assaulted clean out of his bloodied slides by Strong to set up the match, Riddle had revenge on his mind and took it by outmuscling his opponent in a total sh*tkicker of a clash.

Strong's stable had a busy night ahead of them as he opened the celebratory NXT special in a less-than-jovial mood, but couldn't see through his attempts to go it alone when the odds were even. A proving ground in kayfabe for Riddle whilst enhancing Strong's reputation outside of the result, the innocuous opener would have stolen any other show. It was only due to TakeOver's remarkable quality bar that it was topped just one match later...

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett