10 LIVE Observations From NXT TakeOver: New York
6. NXT: More Like The Main Roster Than It Seems...
A certain match gets over best with the NXT live crowd, which I find interesting.
When taking in Pete Dunne Vs. WALTER - a proper fight of intricate strategy and a brave low-key physicality, in which the two performers sacrificed the easy wincing pops of the Austrian's chops to tell a story of two great ring generals entering the war room - the lack of sustained heat was conspicuous. People were quiet initially - some, as WALTER drew his hand back, encouraged silence to extract the maximum impact - but this soon shifted into a sort of exhaustion and...something else as the action developed.
WALTER's selling was outstanding - he boasts an aura and depth of craft not unlike Brock Lesnar's - as was the best application yet of Dunne's trademark strategy. I took this in from a considerable distance, and watched the big screen more than the ring for the small moments. This translated into a quiet, focused crowd - which detracted from the heat. Before the big bombs at the end, this felt akin to Daniel Bryan Vs. AJ Styles from the Royal Rumble - an incredible piece of work best watched in a more intimate setting. Those bombs though, godd*mn.
And the finish: WALTER's shove-Powerbomb variation look dangerous as hell, a fitting way to put away the dominant champion.