Something that NXT TakeOver events have prided themselves on is bringing high-quality in-ring action. NXT as a brand has always placed a real focus on wrestling and with some of the most talented performers in the world on the roster, the show has been able to deliver some fantastic encounters.
The rivalries always build steadily to TakeOver, when WWE books some amazing matches. However, while WWE has provided the likes of Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano, or Sasha Banks facing Bayley, not every match in TakeOver history has lived up to the billing and been worthy of being on the card.
10 Bull Dempsey vs. Baron Corbin (Takeover: Rival)
This match came very early on in NXT TakeOver history and the bar hadn't been set quite as high as it would go on to be. However, Baron Corbin's battle with Bull Dempsey wasn't entertaining, even with the added no disqualification stipulation.
The two compete for less than five minutes in what was a fairly standard match. Given its shortness, this felt like something that would have been better suited on an episode of NXT, rather than a major Takeover event.
9 Adam Cole vs. Velveteen Dream (Takeover: In Your House, 2020)
With no fans being allowed in for this Takeover, WWE took the opportunity to push a cinematically styled match between Adam Cole and Velveteen Dream. However, this one just didn't quite click and it wasn't a natural fit for Takeover.
Fans expect great wrestling, not brawling backstage with cars lighting them up. The story just wasn't there and without the fans, this match didn't work and is one that shouldn't have been on a Takeover card.
8 Shayna Baszler vs. Mia Yim (Takeover: Toronto)
Both Shayna Baszler and Mia Yim are fantastic wrestlers, but together they just didn't work well for whatever reason. Their NXT Women's Championship match was bland and didn't go down well with the live crowd.
The match was just far too slow-paced and methodical. While they tried to go back and forth here, it was something that didn't feel Takeover worthy by the time it was over.
7 Asuka vs. Dana Brooke (Takeover: Respect)
The storyline heading into this match all made sense, as Dana Brooke had been a pain for Asuka during this time while she feuded with Emma. However, this was Asuka's debut match, and not giving her an opponent with who she could have a world-class match against was a mistake by WWE.
In the storyline, it all worked but the problem was Dana Brooke wasn't at the necessary level. This was a match that was done to make Asuka look dominant, but it simply wasn't worthy of being at Takeover.
6 Keith Lee vs. Karrion Kross (Takeover: XXX)
A match between Keith Lee and Karrion Kross for the NXT Championship should have been excellent on paper. However, in reality, that wasn't the case with this being a slow back and forth match that people just didn't enjoy.
The match was heavily criticized, which wasn't helped by the fact that Kross got legitimately injured within the bout. However, this one just didn't feel worthy of being at a Takeover considering how many great main events have happened in the past.
5 Eric Young vs. Tye Dillinger (Takeover: San Antonio)
These are two very talented and experienced professional wrestlers, but this match wasn't at the right level to be Takeover-worthy. It was a solid match, but it never kicked into the next gear and with neither being top stars at the time it didn't help.
The fans were reasonably quiet throughout this match which didn't help, and while it was fine, it never kicked into the next gear which is expected for a major Takeover bout.
4 Austin Aries vs. No Way Jose (Takeover: Brooklyn II)
This was another case of NXT wanting to get two talents onto the card in a thrown-together feud that lacked real interest. No Way Jose didn't have too many lengthy matches in WWE, as he was primarily used as a comedic talent.
That fact also didn't help this, as while they gave their best it just wasn't that interesting. It was a standard NXT match that would have worked well on the show, but on a Takeover, it wasn't good enough to meet the standard.
3 The Ascension vs. El Local & Kalisto (NXT Takeover)
Even though this match took place on the original Takeover event, when WWE had clearly not set the standard, this was still below par. For the first-ever event, most people expected huge matches to draw in the attention.
For the most part that happened, yet somehow this encounter snuck through the cracks. El Local, who is best known as Alberto Del Rio's ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez simply wasn't good enough to be at this level, which hurt the match in general.
2 Baron Corbin vs. Rhyno (Takeover: Unstoppable)
Sometimes, simply having a smaller match card isn't a bad thing. Rather than cramming lots of matches onto a show for the sake of it, which is what this one felt like as the storyline between Baron Corbin and Rhyno was never that interesting.
It's the type of feud that could have been finished on a regular episode of NXT, perhaps being given the main event spot. However, WWE put it on the PPV and gave fans a forgettable match.
1 Bull Dempsey vs. Mojo Rawley (Takeover: Fatal 4-Way)
This show was littered with very poor matches, from Baron Corbin's squash against Tye Dillinger to Enzo Amore battling Sylvester Lefort. However, those matches at least had a purpose, with the squash putting Corbin over and Amore's bout being a hair vs. hair match.
The contest Bull Dempsey and Mojo Rawley was just bland. Lasting just over one minute, there was very little purpose to this one, with the match not achieving much for either man, while it was certainly not worthy of a Takeover card.