NXT Takeover: San Antonio Review - 6 Big Talking Points
4. Thrown Together, But Still Harmonious
In a match which transcended the pitiful hype job it was afforded on NXT TV, Roderick Strong defeated Andrade "Cien" Almas.
It improved upon the opener, maintaining the upward momentum of the show overrall, and on a night dominated by story-based matches, the athletic, stiff, back-and-forth contest was refreshing for its showcase narrative. It had enough of a subplot to sustain audience interest - even if the damage inflicted on Strong's arm didn't factor too much into the drama - but it existed to portray both men as stars. It succeeded in its ambitious objective.
A bruising match stuffed with inventive reversals, incorporating action as smooth as it was convoluted, both men emerged from it in far better positions than they had entered it. Previously, both men were there merely to make up the numbers - but the match was so breathlessly entertaining that the auras of both have been enhanced considerably.
Whether or not Strong should have won is more questionable - Almas badly needed the win to legitimise his heel turn - but the fans were firmly in Strong's corner, and NXT is in more dire need of a new star babyface.
Great call - even greater match.