NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver Night 1 Quick Takes

Sean Covington
Apr 8, 2021
2 min read

Pete Dunne vs Kushida

Excellent way to start the show. This is what Takeovers are all about, a showcase of athleticism that set the tone for the entire show. Dunne won clean which I was quite surprised over, perhaps he will dethrone the Prince if he retains his title.

#1contender

We start with Swerve and Ruff, this match between them was the best one yet. Ruff was someone to be taken seriously, finally. Swerve brought his A game as well. Reed comes in and takes both out before he and Lumis have a brief staredown. Swerve pins Ruff, then LA Knight comes out with a mic talking shit about everyone. Knight was my pick to win it all. Knight pins Lumis with help and is then taken out in a group effort.

Knight is then choked out by Lumis so much for Knight grabbing gold so quickly. It comes down to Swerve and Reed, they put on a show, telling a story like only they can in the moment. Reed wins and will take on Johnny Gargano on night 2 for the North American Championship.

Ciampa vs Walter[c]

Chest slaps of doom is what they should have called this match. Brutal chops were enough for Walter to regain his title and for Ciampa to look like a badass even though he loss. I expected some sort of angle after the match though.

Legado vs MSK vs GYV

Back and forth throughout the entire match. Each team hitting move after move. Whole team decimated one after another until MSK were the last men standing. Everyone had a chance, I thought that Legado and GYV were going to win several times.

Io Shirai[c] vs Raquel Gonzalez

Really sold the moment before the match began. This came off as an intense rivalry that needed to be settled right then and there. I thought that Io would be the one being beat down and showing resolve but it was Gonzalez who was dominated for the majority of the match. It was then that I knew that Io Shirai was going to lose her title. She was overconfident and a bit reckless. One too many risks cost Io her most prized possession. Gonzalez has done it, Io was overconfident, they told a great story, Io nearly had the title a year, it was time for a new reign.

Honorable mentions