10 Matches WWE Could HONESTLY Call ‘The Greatest Ever’
6. Andrade 'Cien' Almas Vs Johnny Gargano (NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia)
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.
Too soon to consider a contest amongst the elite? Perhaps. But was it most heartbreaking chapter in NXT's best ever storyline? Perhaps. And was it best NXT match ever? Perhaps.
The developmental brand deserves praise for delivering so many contests over the years to put those hypotheticals in doubt. Andrade 'Cien' Almas' successful title defence against Johnny Gargano was without prejudice one of the greatest matches in the history of the organisation. Timeless as it was happening, Gargano's selling of a dreamlike moment slipping away against his struggle to cling on to it echoed the sentiment of every single fan glued to the action.
Almas - to his credit - was the perfect heel to feast on his desire. Few performers have risen so far beyond expectations in the last 12 months than the former 'La Sombra', but his surprising title victory in November was only shocking for all the right reasons. A deserved leader alongside vital missing piece Zelina Vega, 'Cien' has kept it one hundred as NXT Champion, with his maiden TakeOver defence untouchable against the already-high standards already set by Neville, Kevin Owens, Finn Bálor, Samoa Joe and others.
An only-slightly inferior variant of the Gargano/Almas template jerked the curtain at August's TakeOver: Brooklyn 3. For the two to somehow improve upon the original was a minor miracle, but the stature-enhancing effort has elevated them to additional to an elite group of sequel impresarios. Could they have one of the best ever trilogies? Perhaps.