10 Best NXT Matches Of 2019 (So Far)
3. The War Raiders Vs Ricochet & Aleister Black (NXT TakeOver: New York)
A NXT farewell match to all four rather than simply the departing challengers following the surprise call-up (and less-than-surprising rebrand) of The War Raider, a thrilling Tag Title tussle earned added heft within weeks thanks to the systemic main roster ruination of the four.
Hanson and Rowe's tear through the developmental doubles division had served them well because of the heels they deemed worthy of decimation, but the thread of competitive respect between the two sides here was uniquely established by not delivering big hitters early doors rather than lobbing the biggest bombs. A Black Mass stopped just short of taking Rowe's head off in the opening minutes, seconds after Rowe had pulled a powerful punch.
By doing nothing, the wrestlers had created a thirst inside the Barclays Centre for everything. Astonishingly, it was quenched by the gripping conclusion. Meeting Ricochet's skillset, The War Raiders showed superhuman aerial flare. 'The One & Only' responded by deadlifting the heavyweights in his own alien feat of strength. Black, long before he was left to stare at a door, stared down the barrel of a beating fought back like an alternate timeline John Cena - coloured by the ink and armour of his body rather than luminous merchandise and on-the-nose expression.
It approached genuine beauty. It achieved it by becoming broken so soon after.