NXT TakeOver San Antonio: Every Match Ranked From Worst To Best
Roode's time to shine.
Even though Triple H himself has expressed recent dissatisfaction with NXT's weekly product, it's hard to argue with the high quality of their on-the-road "PPV" offerings.
San Antonio was by no means a classic TakeOver and it seems likely that the Royal Rumble will steal away much of its thunder if the hype is met, but it was nothing if not consistently entertaining, serving up not a single dud on its five-match card (though they need to add a match or two and make it a three-hour show already).
Several up-and-comers got magnificent opportunities to shine and duly rise to the occasion, while the NXT Title picture changed dramatically, as fans naturally consider who might get called up to the main WWE roster after their performances on this show.
Here is every NXT TakeOver: San Antonio match ranked from worst to best...
5. Women's Title - Fatal 4-Way: Asuka (c) Vs. Nikki Cross Vs. Billie Kay Vs. Peyton Royce
Result: Asuka murders Royce with a roundhouse kick to retain the title (9:55).
Rating: There was absolutely some good storytelling here that made Asuka look every bit the monster she is (even if she spent too long sleeping on the mat), and that table spot was incredibly brutal.
All that said, this one just never found the energy or rhythm that all great Fatal-4-Ways do, with too much segmented, isolated action and a rushed ending.
Still, Asuka looked great (that Double German to Royce and Kay was terrific) and more importantly, it gave her three opponents significant boosts, especially Cross, who came across as brilliantly unhinged and insanely ferocious here. Unremarkable overall, but certainly decent. 6/10