I have to admit, the Sunday timing of this one threw me off a bit and so I'm a bit late getting started. Ah, well - better late than never!
Love the set, love the Todd Pettengill introduction, even the seat-fillers in the audience are making for a decent environment. All things considered with where we are in the world... they've done a tremendous job setting this show up.
Shotzi Blackheart, Mia Yim and Tegan Nox vs. Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzales and Candice LaRae was a fun little opener. Nothing overly memorable, but a fast-paced contest to set the mood for the night.
I enjoyed Finn Balor vs. Damien Priest - a solid contest where they worked hard to get to something that was TakeOver-worthy. I do wonder where they're going with Balor from here - anything short of a title run could be disappointing.
IcoPro! (You've got to want it)
Johnny Gargano is doing the best work of his career in this latest heel run - his facial expressions have always been amazing; his motivations as a heel are on point; and his ring work against a giant like Keith Lee are seriously next-level. Even the locking of the In Your House door had a nice payoff. Super entertaining match here, as it could have gone either way and I'd love to see a rematch.
Love the Lord Alfred Hayes voice-overs for Ice Cream Bars, etc. - dying here.
The Backlot Brawl between Velveteen Dream and Adam Cole? Meh. Don't get me wrong - it was a fun and different cinematic experience, but my appetite for these has officially run out. Now, I may have a different take on this the next time I watch it, but at first blush, everything over-produced, with lots of jump cuts and you could hear every word exchanged between them. Having said that.... there was a really solid story told here, including all the outside interference and crazy spots... and there was nothing inherently wrong with the match. It just wasn't my personal flavor of ice cream.
The Todd Pettengill merchandise spot was fun... but they could have been a little more subtle about it to get the point across.
Karrion Kross' entrance is the best I've seen in years (or maybe I'm just a sucker for Scarlett) but going into this match, it was my highest-anticipated bout of the evening. I know this seems like sacrilege to say... but Kross gives me serious Undertaker and/or Brock Lesnar potential vibes. Ciampa was his usual rock-star self, which made it all the more impressive when Kross won quickly. I'm a fan.
Io Shiari vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair was an incredible match worthy of the TakeOver brand, and I'm truly glad it went on last. Lots of awesome twists and turns here and all three competitors put on a great performance. I'm a little shocked that Flair's title reign was relatively short, but incredible ending to an above-average TakeOver.
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