NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III, out of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, just wrapped up. We’ve got the NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III results, as well as our overall thoughts on the show, for you to check out below. Let us know what you thought about TakeOver by tweeting us, @TheRumbleRamble.
NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III Quick Stats
- Date: August 19th, 2017
- Attendance: 15,275 // Capacity: 16,000
- Featured Songs: Bleeding in the Blur by Code Orange // Poison Pens by Creeper // No Fear by Phil Adé
Johnny Gargano vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas
Don’t question the aggression of @JohnnyGargano! #NXTTakeOver @AndradeCienWWE pic.twitter.com/g5iwyEIcD0
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) August 20, 2017
This show started off hot. Johnny Wrestling came out to a sea of signs emblazoned with his signature logo and Almas made his entrance with his new manager, Zelina Vega – an excellent addition to his character. The crowd was rabid for this match from the start and they were not disappointed; these two gave it their absolute all. They did not ease up or slow down once throughout the entire match. Although this was, by far, Almas’ best match in an NXT ring, it could have easily gone either way. Zelina eventually threw a #DIY shirt in front of Gargano, throwing him off his game and costing him the match. The dirty finish further established Andrade as a heel, while maintaining Johnny’s status as a legitimate threat in competition.
Winner: Andrade “Cien” Almas
The Authors of Pain (c) vs. SAnitY
NXT Tag Team Championship Match
AND. NEW. #SAnitY #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/SwB4HzEceW
— WWE (@WWE) August 20, 2017
Clearly, The Authors of Pain were none too pleased with being taken down on NXT last week, as they went after SAnitY before the match even began. From the pre-match attack, to the surprise shift from Killian Dain to Eric Young, to the brawl through the audience, this heel vs. heel match was all-out mayhem. Akam and Rezar held their own and have improved dramatically since their debut, no one can say they were carried through this one. To add even more excitement, Nikki Cross got involved and took a nasty table spot, grabbing the crowd’s attention and drawing some “this is awesome” chants just in time for the finish.
SAnitY wasn’t able to celebrate their hard-fought victory for long, however, as reDRagon (Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly) made their debut as a unit and beat down both teams shortly following the match.
Winner: SAnitY
Aleister Black vs. Hideo Itami
The ropes are definitely @WWEAleister‘s friend. @HideoItami #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/r8fKk9gfLZ
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 20, 2017
The hype for this bout was intense long before the show began, but was taken to new heights when JR made his entrance to call the match and Aleister Black had one of the coolest entrances we’ve ever seen in NXT. And let me tell you, they lived up to every ounce of it. These two genuinely looked like they wanted to hurt each other, and hurt each other they did. This was the most vicious match on the card, along with being just as fast-paced as the two preceding it. Itami even gave Black some color, adding even more legitimacy to the bout. This was hands down the hardest Black has had to work for a victory, Itami having such a leg up at one point that he mocked Black’s sit in the middle of the ring after attacking spot. In the end, Aleister Black won the match with a bloody face and a stiff Black Mass.
Winner: Aleister Black
Asuka (c) vs. Ember Moon
NXT Women’s Championship Match
.@WWEEmberMoon puts an exclamation point on the first SECOND of her #WWENXT #WomensTitle opportunity! #TheStreak #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/czP4e8HqIk
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) August 20, 2017
As usual, the ladies of NXT put on a great show. Against such a dominant champion, Ember needed to validate herself quickly and that is exactly what she did, kicking The Empress in the face the moment the bell rang. This match was full of little details that made it a fantastic pre-main event. The Women’s Championship felt hugely important, both women aggressively fighting for the right to hold the title. Ember’s extra-long exit following her loss makes us think she will be the one making an appearance on Raw or SmackDown soon, and it would probably be the best thing for her at this point. She’s lost to the champ twice now, not even her Eclipse could bring Asuka down. Because of this, Asuka came out of this match looking absolutely invincible. When she finally makes her way to the main roster, she could be the second NXT champ to go out on top.
Winner: Asuka
Bobby Roode (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
NXT Championship Match
.@DMcIntyreWWE takes flight! pic.twitter.com/9Xs02R9CD9
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) August 20, 2017
Nothing like Mania-level entrances to get the crowd hype for the main event. This one started out slower than the others, but it was still a brutal match, fitting right in with the rest of the show. Watching McIntyre flip over the top rope and out of the ring was a little mind-blowing – not many wrestlers his size are also freak athletes. It was a pretty even back and forth up until the very end, but we did get a title change. Roode lost his championship in true heel fashion, getting a little too cocky and going for 3 Glorious DDTs in a row.
reDRagon made a second appearance, only this time with a third member, Adam Cole, who made it evident that he will be going after McIntyre’s newly acquired title.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
What did you think of the third annual NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn? Tell us on Twitter at @TheRumbleRamble.
