10 Hidden Gem WWE NXT TakeOver Matches That Deserve A Rewatch
1. Pete Dunne Vs Tyler Bate (NXT Takeover: Chicago)
Leave it to the British to deliver the most visibly and audibly painful war, for the right to call themselves Champion.
With the rise of WALTER, it’s easy to forget what came before him. The 2017 NXT UK Championship Tournament was an inspired way for WWE to capitalize on the fervent popularity of the savage, brawling style celebrated on Britain's underground wrestling circuit. After a stop-start beginning, the beautiful NXT UK Title would become an essential element of NXT’s development as a worldwide brand.
Perhaps the two most important names in the belt’s short history are Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate. This was their magnum opus. It was Dunne, who a 19-year-old Bate shockingly defeated to become the inaugural champion, and Dunne was out for cold-hearted revenge at TakeOver: Chicago. Bate had to prove his momentous win wasn't a fluke. It became very quickly apparent, that this would be a special contest. Called by Jim Ross, Dunne and Bate pieced together a spell-binding bout. Dunne furthered his reputation as a callous bastard, punishing Bate with cruel but enthralling torture, but Tyler rallied against this, as the strength of his underdog babyface fire, gained him raptures of sentiment and acclamation. Both men were exceptionally gifted wrestling performers, and this was on full show on this night.
Dunne won the war, and Bate’s title, but this was an extraordinary night for both competitors, as the two mavericks exhibited the very best of what British wrestling had to offer.