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Does NXT TakeOver 36 represent the end of an era? Possibly.
The landscape of NXT after tonight's event looks to be radically different, following WWE President Nick Khan's promise for an immediate "revamp" of the black and gold brand. As a result, NXT TakeOver 36 may be the last one of its kind.
Like every single TakeOver event before this, the quality of wrestling was off the charts. We got to see a couple of in-ring classics and a few great moments. However, NXT TakeOver 36 was not without its faults.
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A few aspects of the show could have made it even better, whether or not NXT could have done something about it. Nevertheless, as the only TakeOver to ever directly follow a WWE pay-per-view, it ended SummerSlam weekend with a bang.
Let's take a look at the main positives and negatives of NXT TakeOver 36. What did you think of the show? Leave your thoughts down in the comments.
#3 Best: Samoa Joe makes history at NXT TakeOver 36
Samoa Joe's in-ring return lived up to the hype, as he delivered another top performance with his usual intensity. The Samoan Submission Machine barely skipped a beat at NXT TakeOver 36, despite not wrestling since February 2020.
Joe challenged Karrion Kross in a gritty and violent affair, which saw both men lay into each other. And while the result was predictable due to Kross' move to WWE RAW, the match was still great. It was a worthy conclusion to their compelling story on NXT.
Bringing back the Muscle Buster to lay his opponent out, Samoa Joe won his record third NXT Championship. Just like that, he has made history on the black and gold brand.
This was a fantastic moment, especially considering Joe was a part of the WWE releases a few months ago. Fortunately, the in-ring veteran very quickly returned to NXT and is back competing.
His presence at the top of the card is a good sign, thanks to his expertise in the ring and on the mic, despite the uncertainty around the brand set to follow. Already one of the greatest stars in NXT history, Joe's experience could be absolutely massive for the brand in the future from NXT TakeOver 36.
#2 Best: LA Knight gets his comeuppance at NXT TakeOver 36
NXT TakeOver 36 opened with an entertaining Million Dollar Championship match between LA Knight and Cameron Grimes. The latter shed his butler clothes and threw them in a trash can, brought out by The Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase.
The WWE Hall of Famer essentially bet himself in this contest. DiBiase would have had to become Knight's butler if Grimes had lost. However, NXT's resident "hillbilly" put in a courageous effort to win the title.
As the referee was distracted, Cameron Grimes got some help from Ted DiBiase, who put LA Knight in the Million Dollar Dream on the outside. It was satisfying to see the dastardly villain get his punishment following weeks of demeaning antics at the expense of the babyfaces.
#2 Worst: The Undisputed Finale ends abruptly
In what may prove to be his final match in WWE, Adam Cole lost to Kyle O'Reilly in confusing fashion. After the former Undisputed Era teammates went for over 40 minutes in April, the two were expected to go a similar length at NXT TakeOver 36.
But that wasn't the case. While that would ideally have been positive, the final fall inside the steel cage ended underwhelmingly. It barely lasted a few minutes before Adam Cole tapped out to a Heel Hook from a handcuffed Kyle O'Reilly.
NXT should have built up more drama during the final stages of their contest. But we missed out on an epic conclusion to this storied saga, especially as NXT TakeOver 36 potentially marks the end of Cole's stellar run on the black and gold brand.
#1 Best: A violent masterpiece
Samoa Joe wasn't the only man who made history at NXT TakeOver 36. Ilja Dragunov put on a mammoth effort opposite the dominant WALTER, as he ended The Ring General's 870-day long NXT UK Championship reign. He did so in an absolute war - one possibly better than their empty arena classic last year.
Dragunov was subject to some horrifying offense from WALTER, as evidenced by the state of his chest by the end of the match. But he dug down deep to pick up the monumental win at NXT TakeOver 36. The Russian pulled it off with a vicious sleeper hold, following many strikes to the back of the head.
NXT UK also looks like it is entering a new era, following the end of WALTER's epic title reign. Ilja Dragunov has a tough act to follow, but this match is an indication that he is up to the task.
#1 Worst: NXT TakeOver 36 deserved a full arena of fans
NXT TakeOver 36 was an excellent show and possibly ranked among the best ones since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, at least. But it would have been so much more epic had more people witnessed the greatness.
There isn't anything wrong with the Capitol Wrestling Center, but NXT should have ideally moved TakeOver to a larger venue, if not a full-blown arena. The electric atmosphere is what makes these shows so special.
Also, with some epic moments at NXT TakeOver 36, the lack of a larger crowd felt like a missed opportunity. Samoa Joe's NXT Title win deserved a grander setting, as did the end of WALTER's record-breaking run as NXT UK Champion.
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