6 Ups & 3 Downs From NXT TakeOver In Your House 2021

4. All Those Retro Mentions!

Todd Pettengill NXT TakeOver In Your House 2021
WWE.com

There was a Stephanie Wyand name drop.

That's it - that's all this entry needs. Maybe not. Todd Pettengill mentioned his old bug-eyed co-host during a backstage skit with McKenzie Mitchell though, and that made this crusty old-schooler smile. Seeing Todd play Karate Fighters with Dexter Lumis later on was also wonderful.

WWE nailed the retro atmosphere TakeOver: In Your House needs. The set looked amazing (again), that Dok Hendrix intro from Michael Hayes was on point, and the "...revolutionary force in sports entertainment" kick off vignette got hairs standing up on the back of this fan's neck.

Crucially, classic In Your House mentions and 90s fan service didn't hog the spotlight. The focus was still very much firmly on the current roster and NXT's usual flavour, but these little easter egg moments didn't hurt. Also, Todd still has that energetic buzzbomb presence.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.