NXT TakeOver: Phoenix Report Card
NXT TakeOver: Phoenix took place on January 26, 2019, and started at 7 PM on the WWE Network (with the kickoff show starting at 6 PM). This edition of NXT TakeOver featured five huge matches involving some of WWE's top Superstars.
The match card featured Kassius Ohno vs Matt Riddle, NXT Tag Team Champions Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong of Undisputed Era vs The War Raiders for the NXT Tag Team Championships, NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler vs the un-de-fea-ted Bianca Belair for the NXT Women's Championship, NXT North American Champion Ricochet vs Johnny Gargano for the NXT North American Championship, and NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa vs Aleister Black for the NXT Championship.
#1 NXT Tag Team Championships: Undisputed Era (c.) vs the War Raiders
Result: The War Raiders defeated the Undisputed Era to win the NXT Tag Team Championships via pinfall when Rowe pinned Kyle O'Reilly after the War Raiders hit the Fallout.
Grade: A
Analysis: An NXT Tag Team Championship match is always a great way to kick off the show as proven by the many classics last year including Undisputed Era vs Authors of Pain, Undisputed Era vs Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch, and Undisputed Era vs Moustache Mountain. This tradition was continued with an excellent match that makes it frustrating that the main roster's tag team division is such a mess.
This match started off hot from the beginning with Undisputed Era immediately attacking the War Raiders. The War Raiders then used their power to stop any attempt Undisputed Era had of a comeback before Roderick Strong & Kyle O'Reilly used their craftiness to take control of the match. The Undisputed Era then used classic heel techniques to remain in control before Hanson showed amazing agility and power when he received the hot tag.
This match then continued to be a back and forth affair. It seemed like the War Raiders got the win when they received near falls from both the Pop-Up Powerslam and a Diving Splash from Hanson. Undisputed Era also got some near falls including a Superplex/Diving Knee combo and their High/Low finishing move that wins them almost every match.
The War Raiders would eventually get the much-deserved victory and now the tag team division can go in a fresh direction including dream matches between the War Raiders and Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel and Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch along with matches involving the Street Profits.