Welcome to another edition of Wrestling Inc.'s retro review, where we take a look back at a past WWE NXT TakeOver event, specifically the inaugural NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day in 2021. This event, held on Valentine's Day, was a significant moment in the COVID-19 era of wrestling, and it had its fair share of highs and lows. Let's dive into the three things we loved and hated about this show.
Loved:
The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classics: The annual tag team tournament was a highlight of the show, with both the men's and women's divisions delivering strong performances. The men's final between Grizzled Young Veterans and MSK was a classic clash of styles, while the women's final between Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart, and Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez, was full of life and energy. The tournament showcased the talent of NXT's tag team division and was a fitting tribute to the legendary Dusty Rhodes.
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European Fight Ends In Style: Finn Balor and Pete Dunne's match was a technical showcase that benefited from the absence of a live crowd. The two wrestlers worked their butts off to create something different, and it turned out to be one of the best matches on the card. The match was intense and grounded, with both men targeting specific body parts to gain an advantage. It was a fitting end to Balor's second run in NXT, and it showcased the talent of both wrestlers.
Hated:
The Death Spot For The Women: Io Shirai's defense of the NXT Women's Championship in a triple threat match against Toni Storm and Mercedes Martinez was fine, but it was let down by the dreaded death spot. The match could have been a straight singles match between Shirai and Storm, which would have been a better use of their talents. The planned announce table spot went wrong, and the match ended up falling short of the mark for the writer.
The Piped In Noise: The piped-in crowd noise was a major detractor from the show. The audio track of what was probably a crowd from an episode of WWE Raw or SmackDown layered over the actual audio was unbearable. It sounded like a chorus of ghosts in pain, and it was hard to ignore. The lack of a live crowd made the show feel less energetic, and the piped-in noise only made it worse.
The Pandemic: Overall, the show was great, but it was a shame that it took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic forced a brand that had a loyal and vocal audience behind closed doors, and it was the death blow for NXT as a brand. The show was made to be wrestled in front of a live crowd, and the absence of one made the experience feel less authentic. Despite this, the show still delivered great wrestling, and it's a testament to the talent of the wrestlers involved.
