NXT Takeover Phoenix Review: The Undisputed ERA (c) vs. The War Raiders (NXT Tag Team Championship Match)

Introduction

So in the leadup to Wrestlemania weekend, I wanted to try my shot at reviewing another complete show. I hadn't watched the first NXT Takeover event of 2019 yet, so it seemed like a good opportunity to try my single match style of review out while watching a show from start to finish. I'm still writing these in single match posts, but will publish them all within a few minutes of each other. Takeovers are usually a fun time so I'm looking forward to it.

First up we have the War Raiders (Hanson & Rowe) vs The Undisputed ERA (O'Reilly & Strong). Hanson and Rowe really impressed me during the Wargames match last year, especially Hanson's athleticism for such a big man. I have to confess that I'm not a fan of any of The Undisputed ERA. To me they're just a bunch of guys I don't particularly like watching.

I guess it's easy to see that I'd like the War Raiders to win this one and become the new Tag Team Champs.

Moments

• The War Raiders come to the ring after a long intro involving a large group of viking warriors banging on their shields to the beat of the song. A cool visual, even if it dragged a bit.
• Rowe picks Hanson up while standing on the apron and slams him down onto O'Reilly and Strong on the outside.
• Again Rowe picks Hanson up, slamming him onto O'Reilly.
• Mauro Ranallo's commentary is ridiculous and I love it.
• Rowe is holding Strong. O'Reilly forearms Rowe. Rowe glares at O'Reilly before tossing Strong into him!
• Hanson dives to the outside with a tope suicido. Nobody home and he eats mat.
• Rowe elbows O'Reilly across the ring, allowing Strong to tag himself in.
• Strong does have a nice backbreaker.
• Rowe suplexes O'Reilly into the corner ropes, knocking Strong off the apron.
• Rowe powerbombs O'Reilly. O'Reilly lands on his knees, averting disaster. Rowe knees him in the face. Disaster.
• Hanson's back body drop sent Strong into space.
• Hanson's cartwheel clothesline is impressive for a man his size, if not a little slow.
• Double team pop-up powerslam on O'Reilly. Hanson tope suicido to Strong on the outside. Rowe covers O'Reilly for the 2 count.
• Rowe powerbomb drops O'Reilly. Hanson with a top rope splash! Strong breaks the pin.
• Strong superplexes Hanson! O'Reilly with a top rope knee drop. Cover. 2 count.
• The announcers make a point that no one has kicked out of the high low once Hanson does. To me it's always been weak sauce as a double team so I wasn't too invested in the unprecedented kickout.
• Hanson cartwheels out of a 2nd high low and springboard handstands himself into the ropes delivering a double back elbow to Strong and O'Reilly.
• Rowe is holding both Strong and O'Reilly stacked up on each other. It's kind of a powerslam for one and a powerbomb for the other.

Finish: Rowe holds O'Reilly up while Hanson brings a leg drop down on him from the top rope. The announcers call this the Dead Weight. Pin for the 3 count. We have new Tag Team Champions.

Thoughts

This was an exciting and impressive opening match. The War Raiders showed off their power and agility. There was some great double team action too. As much as I dislike Strong and O'Reilly, it takes both teams to make a good tag team match, and The Undisputed ERA held up their end magnificently.

Rating: 8/10

Coming up next we have Matt Riddle vs. Kassius Ohno.