On April 1, 2016, WWE NXT TakeOver: Dallas took place at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, just two days before WrestleMania 32. Marking a significant moment in WWE’s developmental brand history, this event showcased rising stars and pivotal title matches, setting new directions for the men’s, women’s, and tag team divisions. Fans eager for fresh wrestling action found a spotlight on NXT, the brand that was quickly becoming a preferred alternative to WWE’s main roster.
This article examines three highlights that fans loved and three key disappointments from NXT TakeOver: Dallas, emphasizing how the event balanced breakthrough moments with missed opportunities amid an evolving wrestling landscape.
Raising Tag Team Wrestling to a New Standard
Tag team wrestling has often been overlooked in WWE, but NXT TakeOver: Dallas offered a prime example of how two-on-two competition can captivate an audience. The opening match featured American Alpha, represented by Chad Gable and Jason Jordan, against The Revival, consisting of Dax “Scott Dawson” Harwood and Dash Wilder. These teams exemplified classic tag team chemistry, delivering a fast-paced, hard-hitting bout that remains memorable years later.
The match exuded a nostalgic vibe, featuring Chad Gable’s youthful energy, Jason Jordan’s breakout performance, and Dax and Dawson’s veteran savvy. Their back-and-forth action included clever tactics like Dash crawling underneath the ring to disrupt a tag attempt, demonstrating the intricate teamwork that defines tag wrestling at its best. A standout moment was Jordan’s “hot tag,” when he surged into the ring like a force of nature, igniting the crowd and elevating the match’s intensity.
Despite a few minor botches, the wrestlers maintained such a frenetic pace that the audience remained thoroughly engaged, even briefly breaking into a “you f***** up” chant without losing momentum. Ultimately, this 15-minute contest perfectly set the tone for the event, establishing that tag team wrestling was alive and compelling on the NXT stage.
A Disappointing Debut: Austin Aries Misses the Mark
One of the most anticipated moments before NXT TakeOver: Dallas was the WWE in-ring debut of Austin Aries, known as
“The Greatest Man That Ever Lived.”
Aries entered WWE amid high expectations, having built a strong following due to his success on the independent circuit and in promotions like Ring of Honor and TNA. His match against Baron Corbin, the “Lone Wolf” with a distinctive receding hairline, intended to demonstrate Aries’ skill in front of a new audience.
However, the match failed to deliver the showcase many had hoped for. Corbin controlled much of the match’s pace, slowing it down and ultimately overshadowing Aries rather than highlighting his talents. The crowd’s investment was notably lower compared to the prior tag team match, as the bout lacked the excitement expected from Aries’ debut.
Fans anticipated seeing Aries perform his dynamic wrestling style against a strong heel like Corbin, creating a compelling drama. Instead, the booking choice to have Aries win via a quick roll-up after Corbin dominated felt anticlimactic and underwhelming. This left many viewers feeling the opportunity to elevate Aries’ profile on this big stage was squandered.
Shinsuke Nakamura’s Impactful Arrival in NXT
The official WWE debut of Shinsuke Nakamura at NXT TakeOver: Dallas quickly erased any doubts about whether he could adapt to the company’s style. Paired against Sami Zayn, the event’s established fan favorite, Nakamura made an immediate impression by showcasing the unique “King of Strong Style” approach he perfected in Japan. This match highlighted his striking prowess and charismatic presence, quickly cementing him as a star to watch.
Choosing Sami Zayn as Nakamura’s first opponent proved strategic, serving as a symbolic passing of the torch since Zayn was set to move to the main roster shortly after. Zayn’s familiarity with Japanese wrestling styles helped him bring out the best in Nakamura, allowing both athletes to flow seamlessly through high-impact sequences. Notably, Nakamura’s bloody nose midway through the bout added to the visceral atmosphere, making the strikes appear even more powerful.
The chemistry between Nakamura and Zayn elevated this contest into what many consider one of NXT’s finest matches, with fans on their feet by the time Nakamura locked in an armbar submission. This debut firmly established Nakamura’s presence in WWE without sacrificing the intensity and style that made him a global sensation.
An Unforgettable Women’s Championship Battle
The NXT Women’s Championship clash between Bayley, the beloved babyface champion, and the undefeated challenger Asuka, known as the “Empress of Tomorrow,” stood out as a compelling and intense contest. Bayley, seen as a heart and soul figure in NXT alongside Sami Zayn, was in her final days on the brand before moving to the main roster, while Asuka entered undefeated and dominating every opponent with an aura of invincibility.
This David versus Goliath style encounter showcased Bayley’s resilience and ability to match Asuka’s fierce aggression, shifting the crowd’s allegiance several times during the match. Bayley’s ability to generate big moments surprised many viewers when revisiting the bout, given Asuka’s reputation for overwhelming dominance.
The climax featured Bayley escaping Asuka’s damaging armbar and enduring the “Asuka Lock” long enough to pass out rather than submit. This finish enhanced Asuka’s monstrous status while emphasizing Bayley’s determination and courage, making the match one of NXT’s more underrated yet emotionally charged women’s title bouts.
Medical Interruptions Hinder the Main Event’s Flow
The main event saw Finn Balor defending the NXT Championship against Samoa Joe in a highly anticipated rematch from NXT TakeOver: London. What could have been a memorable confrontation was disrupted repeatedly by medical staff due to a bleeding injury on Joe’s face. While the care for the performers is understandable, the frequent pauses to clean Joe’s wounds, apply Vaseline, and manage the bleeding hindered the match’s rhythm and pulled the audience out of the moment.
Joe sustained a cut early on, and though both wrestlers continued fighting intensely, the medical team’s persistent interventions frustrated fans and the wrestler alike. The crowd’s chants of “Let Joe bleed,” “PG Sucks,” and various expletives reflected their displeasure with the overcautious handling of the situation, which contrasted with the violent artistry wrestling aims to portray.
This sequence undermined what had the potential to be a classic TakeOver main event, emphasizing the clash between WWE’s strict PG policies and the natural demands of a gritty, physical sport.
A Lackluster Finish to What Could Have Been a Grand Finale
While the match between Balor and Joe was strong overall, the conclusion sparked disappointment due to its underwhelming execution. After intense exchanges and near falls, including Balor kicking out of Joe’s Muscle Buster finisher, the bout ended with a sudden roll-up pin by Balor—an unexpected and anticlimactic finish for such a highly built-up match.
The storytelling rationale centered on Joe being blinded by rage, unable to break free from Balor’s clever pinning maneuver rather than a traditional decisive finishing move. Though this narrative choice was logical and fit the characters’ dynamic, many fans felt it was insufficiently grand for a TakeOver event billed as NXT’s WrestleMania night.
Balor’s status as champion meant the stakes were high, and while the finish worked from a plot perspective, it left a sense that WWE stumbled slightly when bringing this seminal show to a close. Despite this wobble, the overall event outshone many expectations and set the stage for future NXT milestones.
