10 Things We Learned From Attending NXT TakeOver: New York Live

8. Aleister Black's Entrance, Ruined

Johnny Gargano You Deserve It
WWE.com

If you want to ruin Aleister Black's awesome, imposing ring entrance for yourself, attending a WWE live event and sit on the side of the stage from which he arises. It'll absolutely destroy any in-building aura the dark Dutchman has.

We'll refrain from sharing a picture here, as we don't wish to spoil the experience for anyone else. Still, this was a glimpse behind the curtain your writer and his WhatCulture colleagues could've done without.

It went down during Ricochet's entrance. As 'The One And Only' hit the ring, a gang of stagehands and technicians hurried to the side of the stage, carting all the bits and pieces required for Black's arrival then setting them up. Slabs of wood and fake candles were quickly thrown together as if the crew were assembling flat pack furniture. Then, Black darted out from the side, hopped onto the riser, and lay waiting for his cue, unable to hide as he does on television, with smoke, fancy lighting, and camerawork preserving the entrance.

A shame, because the NXT Tag Team Championship match was f*cking brilliant.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.