NoSo Takeover #16: NXT TakeOver: Chicago (2017) Review – Roode vs. Itami, Bate vs. Dunne, AOP vs. #DIY Ladder Match | NoSo Takeover

·1 hr 27 min·5 clips

Tommaso Ciampa snaps and drills Johnny Gargano with multiple running knees, shattering their brotherhood.

The episode is a review of NXT TakeOver: Chicago, which took place on May 20, 2017, at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. The hosts, Aaron and Jenny, provide match-by-match analysis and ratings. They start with the opener: Roderick Strong versus Eric Young, where Strong wins after a storyline where Sanity threatened his family. Next, they discuss the NXT UK Championship match between Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne, highlighting its groundbreaking "British strong style" and Dunne's title win. The NXT Women's Championship match features Asuka defending against Ruby Riott and Nikki Cross in a triple threat; the hosts note it's considered Asuka's weakest match due to execution issues. The NXT Championship match sees Bobby Roode defeat Hideo Itami, with criticism aimed at Roode's old-school style and Itami's apparent disinterest. The main event is a ladder match for the NXT Tag Team Championships, where The Authors of Pain retain against DIY in a physical bout. Post-match, Tommaso Ciampa turns on Johnny Gargano, ending DIY. The hosts also touch on pre-show matches, commentary teams, and various entrances and promos throughout the event. They debate match quality, character effectiveness, and the overall card's placement in NXT history. The episode concludes with their show ratings, MVP picks, and a preview of the next review.

As heard by us

A lively NXT discussion is sharpest when it locks onto Bate and Dunne's young, already seasoned chemistry.

The North-South Connection treats NXT as a future that has already started arriving, then finds its strongest footing in the case for Bate vs. Dunne.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want a four-and-a-quarter-star case for why Bate and Dunne already felt seasoned in 2017.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from The North-South Connection