WWE NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II Review

One year after NXT had the biggest TakeOver event in its history, the brand tries to top itself with an even bigger Brooklyn card that featured Asuka putting both her undefeated streak and NXT Women's Championship against Bayley while Shinsuke Nakamura tries to take down the NXT Champion in Samoa Joe.

Match 1: No Way Jose vs. Austin Aries
Good way to open up the match, really love having No Way Jose come out with the conga line of fans around the ring. However, aside from that, his stuff in the ring does not necessarily match up with that charisma. He is talented but nowhere near ready to be placed on the uppercard. He has a tough task in facing the veteran in Austin Aries. The two shared a fair amount of offenses before Aries was able to hit a Last Chancery to secure the win. While nothing spectacular, it was certainly a solid match here that got the crowd going and hungry for more, more than served its purpose. Afterwards, Aries attacks Jose again before Hideo Itami comes out and beats down Aries.
Winner: Austin Aries
Rating: **3/4

Match 2: Billie Kay vs. Ember Moon
Coming into this match, I will admit that I did not know much of the two aside from seeing them on Monday Night Raw in 2018. This was basically a squash match for Ember Moon with Billie Kay being the sacrificial lamb. Kay was able to get a couple moves on Moon but that was it, Moon hit a stunner after launching herself from the top rope to pick up the win. Short match that also served its purpose in getting Moon a spot on the card while letting her showcase her sweet looking finisher.
Winner: Ember Moon
Rating: *

Match 3: Bobby Roode vs. Andrade Almas
Bobby Roode is finally in the WWE! Was always big on Roode from his early days in TNA and I am also a huge fan of Andrade Almas for that matter. Crowd was really into Roode and his glorious theme song with Almas almost being a forgotten second thought. Fun match here that showed the range of wrestlers Roode can hang with along with Almas displaying hints of a charismatic character that will beg for him to be on the main roster someday. Roode secures the win after hitting his Glorious Bomb. While definitely the right call for the white hot Roode to score the win, I wish Almas would have put up a better fight in the process. That dude is money. Mark my words.
Winner: Bobby Roode
Rating: ***

Match 4: NXT Tag Team Championships - The Revival (c) vs. Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano
The team of Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano team up to form the team of #DIY and get a crack at the gold against The Revival. Obviously, the two teams have two completely different styles of wrestling so I knew we were in for a dandy. I know I am going to get some scrutiny for this, but yes, I enjoyed the match but it almost felt like I was watching a glorified indy match. Something I think can be said for many of these NXT matches that always get so much praise. The action flowed nicely but the second half seemed to just focus on them trying to cram in as much offense as they could with as many nearfalls as possible. Go ahead, give me my hate. Regardless, this was still lots of fun to watch and just when you think Ciampa and Gargano had the match in the bag, The Revival came out of nowhere. Finally, a reversed figure four leg lock on Gargano was too much for him to handle as he had no choice to tap since Ciampa had been taken out of the equation. As much as the crowd wanted to see Ciampa and Gargano win, their time will come soon after and it will certainly be sweeter than if they had won here.
Winners: The Revival
Rating: ****

Match 5: NXT Women's Championship - Asuka (c) vs. Bayley
Another undefeated streak in the realm of NXT is on the line as the unbeaten Asuka takes on Bayley. A year prior to this, Bayley was featured on the Brooklyn card against Sasha Banks who she ended up beating for the NXT Women's Championship. Much of this match saw Asuka beat down Bayley and almost make her look like an amateur at times, thought this was smart since it made Bayley's retaliating attacks mean more in the second half. This story works well when a super underdog is going against an undefeated monster such as Asuka. Although a little slow in the first half, the second half picked up the pace with Asuka still proving to be too much for Bayley as she was able to successfully pin Bayley. Solid match heading into the main event as the two embrace each other afterwards for their performances before Bayley hugs some NXT alumni who were ringside.
Winner: Asuka
Rating: ***1/2

Match 6: NXT Championship - Samoa Joe (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
First off, nobody has a cooler entrance than Shinsuke Nakamura. When I had the opportunity to see it in person for a TakeOver event in San Antonio last year, it was certainly one of the cooler moments I had seen in person. The crowd was insanely hot for this one which of course, doesn't come at a surprise since they are always extra hot for the main event. Loved the beginning of the match where they incorporated an MMA style of match before turning things up an extra gear. Crowd went absolutely bonkers when Nakamura was able to kick out of the Muscle Buster by Samoa Joe. Joe could not believe it and eventually got nailed with a sweet Shinsaka and ate a pin. What a moment and what a match as Nakamura escapes Brooklyn with the biggest win of his career as his music rings in the background while he celebrates with the gold. Fantastic match that may be my favorite one of 2016, so much action and drama that eventually led to a very worthy finish.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Rating: ****3/4

Overall Show Thoughts and Rating:
What really is there to say? NXT hit it out of the park with another great show before heading into one of WWE's biggest PPVs of the year. Was it their best offering yet? I wouldn't go that far. But still a very memorable show with an incredible main event that may be the match of the year.
Rating: 8/10