The highly hyped TakeOver: Chicago card lived up to its expectations this past Sunday night. From match quality, storytelling and shock value perspectives, the show had something for everybody.
In what will go down as one of the best matches of the year, Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate wowed the Chicago crowd creating a masterpiece in the ring. They certainly took advantage of the grand spotlight that they have deserved for quite a while now. And the story in the NXT Championship match as both Bobby Roode and Hideo Itami searched for ways to grit through injured body parts to execute their finishing maneuvers was excellently told.
However, it was the show's conclusion that would be its most memorable attribute. TakeOver went off the air following the most shocking turn of events in its three-year history. Following #DIY's Tag Team Championship ladder match loss to the Authors of Pain, Tommaso Ciampa carried out an unforgettable heel turn when he viciously assaulted his now former partner, Johnny Gargano causing the split of one of the most popular tag teams in NXT.
With chapters to various stories coming to an end and fresh feuds on the horizon, who would be the next stars to step up into a prominent role?
Two names immediately come to mind.
Drew McIntyre
Following a headline generating return at TakeOver: Orlando, McIntyre has shown more intensity and magnetism during his brief time in NXT than he did throughout his entire five-year stretch in the WWE years ago. Some of that is due to experience gained from his time away and the name he created for himself on the independence scene, but the majority of it is a credit to the feeding of legitimacy that has emerged from his most recent in-ring performances.
His battles against Oney Lorcan, Andrade "Cien" Almas and Sean Maluta have emphasized one key attribute: physicality. Stiff showdowns are McIntyre's style and it's working well for him. This week's version came alongside the now cowboy-esque former NXT Tag Team Champion Wesley Blake.
Blake got some clothesline-heavy offense in and attempted to wear down McIntyre's left arm, but McIntyre rebounded. The finish saw the Scottish superstar nail Blake with a fierce head-butt, followed by his Claymore running boot.
Based on his credentials and the top notch performances he's been putting on lately, one would think that TakeOver: Chicago was the final TakeOver without McIntyre on the card for as long as he is a part of the brand.
Aleister Black
McIntyre wasn't the only person to make his first NXT appearance in Orlando. The mysterious Black rose up (literally -- watch his entrance) and put forth a fine effort against Almas at the event. Since then, just like his entrance, his popularity has risen one Black Mass spinning heel kick at a time.
Comparable to the black and white version of Sting during his conflict with Hollywood Hulk Hogan in 1997, Black has the crowd on his side and all without saying a word. He hasn't touched a microphone on NXT television, which adds to the mystique of his character.
This week, he went one on one with RAW's Curt Hawkins, a rematch from Main Event a couple weeks back.
Black controlled the majority of the match delivering his patented knees and kicks all while maintaining his stoic demeanor. After an impressive moonsault from the middle rope, Black set Hawkins up for the Black Mass and that was all she wrote.
We've only just begun to scratch the surface of Black's success in NXT and eventually the main roster. He is going to be a major star.
The Velveteen Dream arrives
Throughout the past month, vignettes have been airing promoting the flashy debut of former Tough Enough contestant Patrick Clark and his updated character, the Velveteen Dream.
He faced off against Robert Anthony and looked fantastic in the ring. His speed and agility were on full display as he nailed some highly athletic maneuvers, none more impressive than the top rope elbow drop he used to finish the match.
This week's bests
Match of the night: McIntyre vs. Blake
Move of the night: The Velveteen Dream's soaring top rope elbow drop
Moment of the night: The Velveteen Dream's debut