NXT TakeOver: Toronto Review
NXT shows that amazing wrestling is the centerpiece of an amazing wrestling show.
WWE's rouge developmental brand just wrapped up its first excursion to the 'Great White North', and to say the voyage was successful is a massive understatement.
It has long been said that the TakeOver specials have outclassed the main roster PPVs at every turn. Over the past couple of months, however, the alure of NXT as the future of WWE seemed to have diminished, as their roster had been rapidly cleared out by call-ups and the brand split. Gone were the glory days of Bálor, Owens, Zayn, American Alpha, Enzo & Cass, and the Four Horsewomen. Watching the weekly program has given NXT the impression of being in a rebuilding stage.
This wasn't the case last night. Let's see how the NXT roster fared the night before Survivor Series,
6. Bobby Roode Def. Tye Dillinger
First off: Bobby Roode's entrance. Sublime.
This match was a great way to get the crowd going, with two great Canadians splitting the crowd. The story was simple, but told perfectly: The egotistical heel that Roode has perfected over the years going up against the lovable loser in Tye Dillinger. Roode did some stellar heeling throughout the match, mocking the "10" chant whenever he could, while Tye showed resilience against the odds.
The match isn't quite the technical classic that some of the later matches were, but it was still well worked, and the characters and the crowd carried it through nicely. The Glorious one finished the match in true heel fashion, using the ring post to set up for the Edgecution for the victory.
All in all, the right man won. Tye Dillinger is good, but he's still an enhancement talent at best. Roode is destined to be NXT's top heel in a short time. He simply continued that path tonight.
Rating: 7.5/10