NXT TakeOver Dallas Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights

To say that the jobs of the WWE Superstars and Divas at WrestleMania became much more difficult Friday night as the wrestlers of NXT potentially stole the entire weekend thanks to another phenomenal entry into their live special series with TakeOver: Dallas would be an understatement of Yokozuna proportions.

Finn Balor successfully defended the NXT Championship in a war of attrition with Samoa Joe, relying on an old-school counter to slay the Samoan Submission Machine. 

Two other champions weren't quite as lucky.

Bayley's inspirational run as the leader of the NXT women's division came to a shocking conclusion as she passed out in the grasps of the Asuka Lock. The Revival also kissed the tag titles goodbye, courtesy of a little Grand Amplitude at the hands of American Alpha.

Austin Aries stunned Baron Corbin with a roll-up while free agents Kota Ibushi and Bobby Roode were seen at ringside.

But when historians reflect on the latest and perhaps greatest TakeOver special, the instant classic between Shinsuke Nakamura and Sami Zayn will reign over all. Whether it is eventually recognized as the Match of the Year for 2016 will be revealed over time, but it is difficult to imagine another contest supplanting it.

The stars of NXT shone bright Friday night, setting the bar incredibly high for everyone with the unenviable task of following them from here until Monday.

You can relive Friday's spectacular show with this recap, which also offers grades and analysis from TakeOver: Dallas.

NXT Tag Team Championship Match: American Alpha vs. The Revival

Fans erupted as Chad Gable and Jason Jordan, American Alpha, entered the arena for the opening contest of the evening, an NXT Tag Team Championship opportunity against titleholders Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson, known collectively as The Revival. 

There was considerable stalling early and fans responded, mocking the champions with chants of "which one's Dawson, which one's Dash?" The challengers re-energized the audience with a head-scissors from Gable and a massive dropkick from Jordan.

The action continued, Jordan and Gable cutting Dash and Dawson off at every corner. The crowd erupted, in full support of the charismatic young team. The Revival used some solid tag team psychology, and a well-timed clothesline from Wilder helped the team take control of the match, isolating Gable from his partner.

Gable flattened the champions with a double DDT and looked for the hot tag to Jordan, but Wilder crawled under the ring and pulled him off the apron.

Jordan finally got the hot tag and exploded into the match, destroying the challengers with a series of suplexes to the approval of those in attendance. The action broke down, with double-teaming and numerous attempts at cheating failing to help The Revival retain.

A series of roll-ups ensued as Gable and Dawson showed off their counter-wrestling and reversal abilities. A blind tag to Gable led to Grand Amplitude as American Alpha ended the reign of Dash and Dawson.

Result

American Alpha defeated The Revival to win the NXT Tag Team Championships.

Grade

B

Analysis

The only real criticism of this one was the way the action kind of broke down in the middle portion of the match, leading to a few disjointed spots.

Other than that, this was every bit as energetic and electrifying as one would expect.

The finish was particularly great, as American Alpha used one of the blind tags so closely associated with The Revival to unseat them as champions.

The crowd was incredibly hot for Gable and Jordan, making their title win that much more satisfying. 

Austin Aries vs. Baron Corbin

Baron Corbin entered the arena to chorus of boos, while Austin Aries was given the hero's welcome, greeted with great enthusiasm by the NXT faithful.

Corey Graves repeatedly referred to Aries as pitbull-like, and the former Ring of Honor and TNA wrestling heavyweight champion backed that assertion up, relentless in his early attacks. Eventually, the Lone Wolf slowed things down, using his power to wrest control of the match away from Aries.

Corbin sent Aries shoulder-first into a steel post and continued to overwhelm him with his ferocity, all the while taunting fans, his arrogance and confidence on full display.

Aries battled back into the contest, using a nasty dropkick and suicide dive to take control. It was short-lived, though, as Corbin delivered a nasty Deep Six onto the arena floor.

A defiant Aries continued to fight but found himself pounded into the mat. Corbin tried for End of Days, but Aries scored a roll-up from out of nowhere to pick up the win.

Result

Austin Aries defeated Baron Corbin.

Grade

C

Analysis

Corbin was as vocal as he has ever been inside the squared circle, perhaps working on the in-ring charisma he has lacked while simultaneously attempting to generate heat from a crowd burned out from the opening tag match.

Aries took a nasty bump at one point and did a relatively good job of putting over Corbin's offense, but he lacked the fire one would expect from him in his comeback. The fluke victory was disappointing, but it sets up another chapter of this program.

That is not necessarily a bad thing, especially if Corbin can continue bringing the goods as the condescending villain tired of being surrounded by the "Indy darlings."

Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

The godfather of NXT, Sami Zayn entered the arena to a thunderous ovation and a legion of fans singing along to his theme music, clearly appreciating everything the one-time face of the brand has done to get the promotion to where it is today.

Shinsuke Nakamura's charisma was on full display during his electric entrance.

The crowd was unglued from the get-go, alternating chants of support between the Superstars before settling on "this is awesome" and "this is wrestling."

Nakamura and Zayn exchanged go-behinds before the former trapped his opponent in an arm bar, his counter game proving strong. The former NXT champion took control thereafter, using knife-edge chops and a big boot to stun his acclaimed opponent. 

Zayn used Nakamura's own momentum against him at one point, flattening him with a Michinoku Driver for two. The competitors exchanged hard forearms to the face as the crowd cheered along with each strike, then broke out into a "YES!" chant.

With his nose bleeding, Nakamura slowed, followed by Zayn as the crowd again erupted.

Nakamura unloaded with a series of knee strikes and a big boot that left Zayn nearly unconscious on the bottom rope. A final shot left him on his back. Soon after, a vicious clothesline turned Nakamura inside out as the intensity reached fever pitch. An armbar from the Japanese sensation was blocked by Zayn, but a triangle choke was applied successfully.

For a moment, that is, as Zayn broke free. The Montreal native unloaded with a series of straight punches and several kicks. He followed with a face plant and the Koji Clutch, trying to force a submission out of the newcomer.

"Fight forever" chants flooded the stands as the competitors made it to their feet. A Helluva Kick missed, but the Blue Thunder Bomb followed seconds later for a strong near-fall. Zayn tried for the diving DDT through the corner, only to be caught with a nasty kick to the face. Nakamura blocked the exploder suplex with a flurry of elbows to the neck.

A running knee strike finished Zayn off as the fans greeted the Superstars with a well-deserved standing ovation.

Result

Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Sami Zayn.

Grade

A+

Analysis

Ladies and gentlemen, your match of the year.

It may be a bit premature to go that far, but it is difficult to imagine another bout this year will combine anticipation, athleticism, ferocity, aggression and pure fan sentiment in the way Zayn and Nakamura did to craft a masterpiece.

The WWE Universe has never been privy to a match of the stiffness and intensity this one presented. For anyone who had ever seen these two Superstars compete in any ring across the globe, they knew what to expect. For those unfamiliar with their antics, taking advantage of the free WWE Network month, they got a taste of what the future of Vince McMahon's company looks like.

NXT Women's Championship Match: Bayley vs. Asuka

Stephanie McMahon was shown in the crowd as Corey Graves discussed the importance of her role in bringing women's wrestling to the forefront in WWE.

Graves also mentioned the smile of Asuka, saying how it is among the most terrifying things any competitor could see before noting this was Bayley's "Mania moment" as the NXT women's champion made her way to the squared circle for what could be the biggest test of her championship run.

Asuka unloaded on Bayley with a series of kicks early, but the champion responded with a hard forearm. A flying hip attack turned the tide back in the challenger's favor until Bayley dodged another moments later.

Bayley delivered her elbow drop in the corner, then trapped the challenger in a guillotine choke, the same maneuver she used to defeat Nia Jax. Asuka countered into an ankle lock, only to be sent to the arena floor.

The champ unloaded with a series of forearms, but after every one, Asuka screamed at her, seemingly unfazed by the strikes. She caught the Bayley with a running knee, scoring a quick two count.

The women exchanged hard strikes before Bayley trapped her opponent in a knee bar. Targeting the knee in an attempt to take away the lightning-quick kicks of her opponent, Bayley showed great focus. Asuka responded with an armbar.

Bayley locked in the submission hold that helped her win the final fall in the Iron Man match against Sasha Banks at TakeOver: Respect, but the challenger fought out of it. The competitors traded submissions before the Japanese broke out her Asuka Lock in the center of the ring. 

Bayley fought through the pain but ultimately passed out. The referee called for the bell, and the fans booed in unison, the air sucked out by the sudden and abrupt finish.

Result

Asuka defeated Bayley to win the NXT Women's Championship.

Grade

B+

Analysis

"Obviously a lot of disappointed fans here tonight," Graves said. That was certainly the feeling in the room in the immediate aftermath of the decision. While fans booed the call, they warmed up to the idea of Asuka winning the gold.

The bigger talking point is the finish.

By not tapping out, the argument can be made that Bayley never really lost the match. As a result, she should be entitled to a rematch. Another bout between the two, without having to follow an instant classic in Zayn vs. Nakamura, would likely be even more satisfying than their contest Friday night.

The match was not quite up to the level of the preceding bout, but it recovered from a burned-out crowd early to deliver fantastic action down the stretch.

It was another shining example of Bayley's greatness as a performer. She can adapt to any opponent and deliver a quality match regardless of the situation. Her title reign may be over, but her effect on NXT and women's wrestling in general will live on.

NXT Championship Match: Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe

Credit: WWE.com

Samoa Joe was the picture of confidence as he made his way to the ring. Finn Balor entered as The Demon, his inspiration of choice this month being The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Joe bled early, the result of the vicious strikes delivered by Balor. A dive over the top rope wiped out the challenger but Joe came right back, throwing the champion like a rag doll into the crowd, wiping out a security guard.

The competitors unloaded with shots that made the strikes in the Zayn-Nakamura match earlier in the night look like child's play.

Joe exploded through the ropes with a dive of his own, sending Balor back-first into the guardrail as fans chanted loudly, then booed referees and medical staff for checking on Joe's cut.

The challenger caught Balor with an uranage slam, then trapped Balor in a submission, driving his knee into the back of his opponent.

Balor found himself on the receiving end of some stiff kicks about the face before rallying back with a strong dropkick. The doctors again interrupted the match. Balor fought back, dropping Joe to the arena floor with his own series of kicks.

Joe dodged a running dropkick and delivered a senton for two. He soon hit a powerbomb and eventually segued into a crossface. Balor escaped and delivered a double stomp. Joe answered with the Muscle Buster, but Balor shot his shoulder off the mat.

Balor withstood an onslaught and growled at Joe before delivering the Coup de Grace. Balor tried for Bloody Sunday, but Joe trapped him in the Coquina Clutch. Balor pushed off the ropes for a roll-up victory.

Result

Finn Balor defeated Samoa Joe.

Grade

A

Analysis

How fitting, on the weekend of WrestleMania, that Balor and Joe borrowed the finish from Bret Hart vs. Roddy Piper to conclude their tenacious championship bout. It was at WrestleMania VIII that Hart countered a sleeper by Hot Rod by pushing off the ropes and scoring the pinfall victory. It's always a strong finish whenever it is incorporated into a heated title bout.

The doctor stoppages hurt this to an extent, but it also made it feel like a legitimate contest. If this were any other sport, the match would've been stopped so the injured combatant could be tended to and resumed when possible.

Undeterred by the early roadblocks, the Superstars came together to deliver a match as hard-hitting as the celebrated Nakamura-Zayn bout from earlier in the night. With a better story behind it, the match had nearly zero flaws.

The Balor victory may surprise some, but he is still the face of the brand, and with potential matches against Nakamura, Austin Aries, Baron Corbin and Bobby Roode—who was shown to be in the crowd prior to the match—there is still plenty to gain from having The Demon remain champion.

Where this leaves Joe is the real question.