#3 – Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn Embrace
#2 – Sami Zayn Wins the NXT Championship
#1 – Kevin Owens Turns on Sami Zayn
The last three picks get grouped together, simply because you can’t mention one without mentioning the other two. These were three very distinct, very emotional and, quite frankly, powerful segments.
In chronological order, Sami Zayn winning the NXT Championship was the feel-good moment we as fans haven’t had since WrestleMania 30. It’s been a rough year full of our favorite stars getting injured – you know I’m talking about Santino – and some really lackluster Monday night programming, and this was the best possible way to cap off 2014 and pump up the WWE Universe for the year to come. Zayn put his heart into that match, as did Adrian Neville, and the victory was such a great reward for being the man who’s been the best part of Thursday nights since NXT came to the WWE Network in February.
#NXTTakeover pic.twitter.com/eTyhbFlQlh
— Mike Killam (@MikeKillam) December 12, 2014
Next up we’ve got the heart-warming embrace between Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. If you haven’t followed the two for five years like I have, this probably didn’t mean much to you. You probably didn’t smile wide earlier in the night when the two exchanged glances in the dressing room, either. Put aside all the drama and scripted entertainment, and you’ve got two guys – two best friends – who have traveled the world together for the better part of a decade honing their craft in gymnasiums, standing in WWE ring realizing their dreams at the same moment.
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens is the next major program in NXT. This is 2015. pic.twitter.com/bKVHD0Z3iu
— Mike Killam (@MikeKillam) December 12, 2014
And finally, quite possible the biggest moment in NXT. At the end of all of that, following the aforementioned “heart-warming embrace”, Owens did what deep down we all suspected he would…eventually. I haven’t been more captivated by a moment in wrestling for a very long time. CM Punk’s 2011 “pipe bomb” promo comes to mind. I’ve seen these two destroy each other in some of wrestling’s most person and violent matches, for two completely different companies (ROH & PWG), and I still got goosebumps by Owens’ heel turn Thursday night.
#NXTTakeover The moment of betrayal. #ThisIsGonnaBeSoFreakingGood pic.twitter.com/VfyyV9H97H
— Mike Killam (@MikeKillam) December 12, 2014
Watch the the last 30 minutes of Takeover back again. Hell, watch the entire show back again. And again, and again. When Raw airs live on Monday night, and you’re falling asleep on the couch, watch this show again. Sunday if you get bored when Big Show is throwing steps at Erick Rowan, watch this show again.
For Daniel Bryan fans, and likely most mainstream wrestling fans, WrestleMania 30 was the greatest event WWE has produced in years. But for fans like me, who religiously follow the NXT product and who care more about the development of these indie stars than 90% of the main roster, this was our WrestleMania, and it delivered on every single front. I mean, I’m still buzzing about the main event 12 hours later.
I CAN’T BELIEVE WE’RE GOING TO SEE KEVIN STEEN vs. EL GENERICO IN WWE!!
What a great feeling.
