The success of NXT made it one of the most important aspects of WWE over the past decade. Any list breaking down WWE’s best matches of the 2010s will see at least a handful of NXT matches making the list. Quite a few great performers developed reputations for delivering outstanding matches every time they were put in the position to succeed. NXT TakeOver specials have become the most consistent source of great bouts.
We will look at the ten best NXT matches during its rise. The matches featured here helped make NXT a thriving brand. All these wrestlers involved had personal pride when it came to their NXT runs. Find out just which matches stand out the strongest in the brand’s history. These are the top ten NXT matches of the past decade.
10 Johnny Gargano vs Tommaso Ciampa (TakeOver: New Orleans)
The rivalry between Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa showcased the benefits of long-term storytelling. Ciampa turning on Gargano after their long tag team run together set the stage for a violent match between them at TakeOver: New Orleans.
Both men left it all in the ring with a brawl for the ages. Gargano pulled off the victory after using the knee brace of Ciampa for extra leverage during his Gargano Escape finisher. The two created magic that will always be a strong part of NXT history.
9 The Undisputed Era vs Team Ciampa (TakeOver: War Games 2019)
The recent male War Games match at the 2019 TakeOver event during Survivor Series weekend showcased the greatness of the stipulation. Undisputed Era went into the match as a united force against four faces with common enemies in them.
Kevin Owens was the huge surprise reveal getting a monster pop. The rest of the team featured Tommaso Ciampa, Keith Lee and Dominik Dijakovic all working together for the win. Ciampa delivering his finisher with Cole from the top of the cage through tables was a surreal ending.
8 Roderick Strong and Kyle O'Reilly vs Tyler Bate and Trent Seven (NXT TV: July 11, 2018)
NXT’s tag team division has always been a strong part of the show. Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly regained their NXT Tag Team Championship from Tyler Bate and Trent Seven during the July 11, 2018 episode of NXT television.
The emotion of the match would see Bate and Seven having to overcome injury as the Undisputed Era focused on distinct body parts to weaken. Strong and O’Reilly continued their excellence together as the faction became the hottest act in NXT.
7 Adam Cole vs EC3 vs Killian Dain vs Lars Sullivan vs Ricochet vs Velveteen Dream (TakeOver: New Orleans)
NXT introduced the North American Championship in tremendous fashion with a ladder match to crown the first title holder. Adam Cole won the exciting match over EC3, Velveteen Dream, Ricochet, Killian Dain and Lars Sullivan to make history.
Wrestling insider Dave Meltzer made it one of his rare five-star matches in WWE history. All six wrestlers looked great with Cole clearly coming off as the biggest star. The match arguably was the best overall bout during WrestleMania 34 weekend.
6 DIY vs The Revival (TakeOver: Toronto 2016)
The rivalry between The Revival of Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder vs Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa in DIY created outstanding television. Both teams competed over the NXT Tag Team Championship with a few matches on TakeOver specials.
The 2 out of 3 falls allowed all four wrestlers to tear it up with a wrestling clinic. Fans were invested and reacted with huge cheers when Gargano and Ciampa finally won the NXT Tag Team Championship. The match remains a must-watch in NXT history, especially since it played a role in the Gargano vs Ciampa story.
5 Andrade vs Johnny Gargano (TakeOver: Philadelphia)
Andrade and Johnny Gargano hit a home run in the main event of TakeOver: Philadelphia with the NXT Championship on the line. Gargano received his first title shot at TakeOver and put on arguably the best performance of his career.
Andrade’s main event run with Zelina Vega as his manager helped him become a superstar for NXT. The in-ring skills of Andrade finally received the platform to showcase his full potential and he stepped up. Gargano lost to Andrade in a match that had people talking for weeks.
4 Pete Dunne vs Tyler Bate (TakeOver: Chicago 2017)
The start of the NXT UK project would see Tyler Bate become the first-ever NXT UK Champion. Bate would make the occasional appearance on the NXT television show before WWE followed through with the creation of the weekly NXT UK program.
Pete Dunne challenged Bate for the NXT UK Championship at TakeOver: Chicago in 2017. They stole the show with an instant classic. Fans realized just how strong the UK talent was going to be for WWE once the NXT UK brand started. Dunne won the title and held it for almost two years.
3 Adam Cole vs Johnny Gargano (TakeOver: New York)
The 2019 WrestleMania weekend TakeOver special in New York was arguably the best one yet. Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano faced off in a 2 out of 3 falls match for the vacated NXT Championship. The atmosphere was electric with the fans reacting to every second of the match.
Gargano would deliver another classic performance turning the tide from fans booing him in favor of Cole to cheering his big victory. Cole was in peak form as well as a dastardly heel trying to cheat with Undisputed Era. The match was arguably the best come from WWE in 2019.
2 Bayley vs Sasha Banks (TakeOver: Brooklyn 2015)
The first-ever TakeOver special outside of Full Sail came at Barclays Center during Summerslam weekend. NXT went with the double main event of Finn Balor vs Kevin Owens in a ladder match and Bayley vs Sasha Banks on the biggest stage in the brand’s history to that point.
The ladies stole the show with a match that changed the landscape of wrestling. Bayley and Banks showed that the women could be presented as the top stars of the show and be taken seriously. The emotional moment of Bayley winning the NXT Women’s Championship led to many fans tearing up as a result of the beautiful storytelling.
1 Sami Zayn vs Neville (TakeOver: R Evolution)
NXT started to catch fire in 2014 when the TakeOver specials started airing on the WWE Network. Sami Zayn’s journey trying to win the NXT Championship became a long storyline that fans invested in. A few losses to Neville would make his underdog story grow even stronger.
Zayn finally overcame the odds to defeat Neville in the main event of TakeOver: R Evolution. It was the perfect culmination of a story that helped make NXT a special brand. Kevin Owens turning on Zayn after the match to start their feud even added another fun dynamic to this classic.