10 LIVE Observations From NXT TakeOver: New York

5. The Psychology Of The Imperfect TakeOver Layout - And How The Roster Overcomes

Ciampa Gargano
WWE

This wasn't limited to the United Kingdom Championship match; from the sustained din of the opening tag team blitz onwards, every single match generated a similar reaction.

The crowd, reeling from the comedown of the endorphin rush, received the opening first halves with a certain fatigue and inhibition. We'd just gone apesh*t. It takes a while to lose yourself all over again. What's telling, at least from where I was sat, is that, if the crowd needed a piss, they'd rather have kept in. Nothing felt boring nor unwanted. I - we - weren't rejecting, but recharging. At times I wanted to react, but you don't want to be the first. It's a weird sort of hive mind, in that regard.

But it's worth it, when the unifying power of pro wrestling brings people of all backgrounds together. To put it another way: the TakeOver stage is so perfect, essentially, that it is bulletproof to slight imperfections. NXT is altering the very DNA of a pro wrestling card. There's no US style undulation nor Japanese steady orchestra swell; we are asked to receive four matches of main event quality, a daunting prospect - and yet we do, because the talent of the roster and the creative and production teams is so evident in passion and execution.

TL;DR: NXT is the absolute f*cking best, the crowd is not bored even if they seem it, and if remotely possible you need to go.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!