Ranking Every NXT TakeOver Special - From Worst To Best

4. TakeOver: Rival

bayley sasha banks
WWE

The Highlights: As NXT prepared to celebrate one year on the WWE Network, the black-and-yellow brand commemorated the occasion with a tremendous TakeOver: Rival special in February 2015. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn quickly became one of the most anticipated main events in years, and after Owens' ruthless annihilation of his former friend, he was declared the new NXT champion.

Elsewhere on the card, The Four Horsewomen clashed in a fantastic Fatal 4-Way that saw Sasha Banks clinch her first NXT Women's Championship. Finn Bálor and Neville followed close behind with a brutal battle of their own, serving as a fitting swan song for Neville from NXT.

The Low Points: With three such sensational matches taking place toward the top of the card, it's hard to complain about anything else. That said, Baron Corbin and Bull Dempsey stunk up the joint in a below-average No Disqualification match that was best kept short and sweet.

Furthermore, Blake and Murphy vs. The Lucha Dragons for the NXT Tag Team Championship was fine, but the former pair were still trying to find their footing as champs and the match suffered as a result.

Contributor
Contributor

Since 2008, Graham has been a diehard pro wrestling fan and, in 2010, he combined his passions for WWE and writing when he joined Bleacher Report. Equipped with a master's in journalism, Graham has contributed to WhatCulture, FanSided's Daily DDT, Sports Betting Dime, and GateHouse Media. Along the way, he has conducted interviews with wrestling superstars like Chris Jericho, Edge, Goldberg, Christian, Diamond Dallas Page, Jim Ross, Adam Cole, Tessa Blanchard, Ryback, and Nick Aldis among others.