11 Things We Learned From NXT TakeOver: The End
What exactly ended at The End...?
Another NXT TakeOver special is in the bag, as The End has come and gone. Samoa Joe successfully defended his NXT Championship against Finn Balor in NXT's first ever cage match, surely putting the full stop at the end of their lengthy feud. Asuka continued her reign of dominance in the NXT Women's division, fending off the challenge of the monstrous Nia Jax.
Elsewhere, The Revival regained the NXT Tag Championships from American Alpha, who were subsequently ambushed after the match by two large chaps seemingly under the tutelage of WWE Hall of Famer Paul Ellering. The former La Sombra made his debut as Andrade 'Cien' Almost, vanquishing 'The Perfect Ten' Tye Dillinger in impressive fashion. Finally The Coolest Man That Ever Lived defeated The Greatest Man That Ever Lived, as Shinsuke Nakamura overcame Austin Aries.
NXT TakeOver: The End... was loaded with questions going in, but now that the dust has settled have any of them been answered? The name of the show in particular threw up many concerned looks, what exactly did it signify? Where does NXT go from here, with the WWE brand split looming worryingly in the distance?
Here are the 11 biggest things we learned from NXT TakeOver: The End...
11. Tye Dillinger Is NXT's Most Popular Jobber Yet
Tye Dillinger is the latest in the line of NXT developmental wrestlers whose primary job is to open TakeOver specials and lose to whichever new signing is the flavour of the month. CJ Parker was laid out on a plate for Kevin Owens, and Tyler Breeze made the spot his own losing to Hideo Itami, Finn Balor and finally Jushin Thunder Liger.
Tye Dillinger's first steps as 'TakeOver Opening Match Enhancement Talent' were taken last night, as 'The Perfect Ten' came up short in an entertaining little sprint against the debuting Andrade 'Cien' Almos. The match was more than cromulent, with Andrade getting a great showcase against a more than game Dillinger.
The difference between Dillinger and previous opening match victims is just how much the crowd are in love with the man. His entire gimmick is that he is particularly fond of the number 10, but for whatever reason the crowd are totally in the palm of his hands and his 10 fingers. Just listen to the reaction when he hits Andrade with the superkick for a near-fall towards the end of the match.
I may be wrong and Dillinger will go on to lose to, I don't know, Adam Cole or whoever at the next TakeOver special, but such fanatical crowd support can't be ignored. If the NXT roster is to be depleted by the draft, Dillinger is ready to step up to the plate.