2018 is often considered the greatest year for NXT TakeOver branded events. The pay-per-view events of the Black and Gold era reached their pinnacle with multiple five-star classics between January and December 2018.
You had one of the greatest NXT rivalries in Johnny Gargano versus Tommaso Ciampa, making waves across the industry. The Undisputed Era had started to solidify themselves as one of the greatest teams on the roster.
Let’s take a look at the best NXT TakeOver matches of 2018 (in chronological order):
Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Johnny Gargano for the NXT Title (NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia)
NXT kicked off TakeOver action in 2018 with a stacked show in Philadelphia. The card featured the likes of The Undisputed Era, Aleister Black, and Johnny Gargano, among others. Gargano headlined NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia against Andrade “Cien” Almas. This match was for Andrade’s NXT Championship.
This match turned out to be a show stealer and put Gargano on the track to become Mr. TakeOver. Andrade worked brilliantly as a ruthless heel with impeccable in-ring skills. This match also have WWE their first five stars from Dave Meltzer since John Cena versus CM Punk from Money in the Bank 2011.
Ladder Match for the inaugural North American Title (NXT TakeOver: New Orleans)
NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, to this day, remains one of the greatest TakeOver branded events from the Black and Gold era. The show is memorable for giving fans two five-star classics among other solid outings.
My personal favorite from TakeOver: New Orleans would’ve to the six-way ladder match for the inaugural NXT North American Championship. The bout featured Adam Cole, EC3, Killian Dain, Lars Sullivan, Ricochet and Velveteen Dream.
All six men put on a spectacle for the ages. From Cole’s midair superkick to Ricochet to Dream’s ladder elbow drop, this ladder match defied expectations. In the end, Cole made history by becoming the first-ever NXT North American Champion.
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa in a Chicago Street Fight (TakeOver: Chicago II)
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa delivered a five-star match at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. The best friends-turned-rivals ran it back in a Street Fight at TakeOver: Chicago II on June 16, 2018.
This was a brutal affair where both men absolutely destroyed each other with no regard for their well-being. I personally enjoyed this match more than their incredible Unsanctioned Match from the previous NXT: TakeOver event.
The closing stretch was executed to perfection wherein Ciampa planted Gargano with a DDT on the exposed canvas for the win.
The Undisputed Era vs. Mustache Mountain, NXT Tag Team Title (TakeOver: Brooklyn IV
The Undisputed Era and Mustache Mountain were involved in some great tag team matches in Triple H’s version of NXT. The pair put on one of the best NXT TakeOver matches of 2018 at TakeOver: Brooklyn IV.
This opening match really set the tone for the rest of the night. Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong showed their incredible chemistry as a unit. Tyler Bate and Trent Seven, on the other hand, got the crowd behind them with their babyface work.
Men’s WarGames Match from NXT TakeOver: WarGames
The Undisputed Era main evented NXT TakeOver: WarGames for the second straight year in 2018. Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, Kyle O’Reilly, and Roderick Strong looked to silence Pete Dunne, Ricochet and War Raiders in the Men’s WarGames Match.
The match was filled with some death-defying spots. Ricochet and Pete Dunne used the surroundings to their advantage. The One and Only delivered a double moonsault in one of the best spots from the night.
Honorable Mentions
- Adam Cole vs. Aleister Black (Extreme Rules Match from TakeOver: Philadelphia)
- Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa (Unsanctioned Match from TakeOver: New Orleans)
- The Undisputed Era vs. Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan (NXT Tag Team Championship Match from TakeOver: Chicago II)
- Adam Cole vs. Ricochet (NXT North American Championship Match from TakeOver: Brooklyn IV)
- Aleister Black vs. Johnny Gargano (TakeOver: WarGames)
Also read: Best NXT TakeOver Matches Of 2019
