Since its evolution from developmental territory to must-see brand, WWE NXT has delivered some of the most technically brilliant, emotionally charged matches in modern sports entertainment. Here’s a list of the 10 greatest WWE NXT matches ever, each ranked by the pinnacle of in-ring storytelling and athletic excellence.
10. Undisputed Era vs. Moustache Mountain – NXT Tag Team Championship Match (NXT, July 11, 2018)
Undisputed Era and Moustache Mountain put on an incredible tag team war, with Trent Seven and Tyler Bate, while Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong used sharp counters. A key moment saw Bate refusing to throw in the towel despite Seven’s excruciating leg injury. However, after relentless targeting of Seven’s leg, the pain became unbearable, forcing Bate to throw in the towel, allowing Undisputed Era to retain their championships.
9. Finn Bálor vs. Kyle O’Reilly – NXT Championship Match (NXT TakeOver 31, October 4, 2020)
Bálor and O’Reilly exchanged vicious kicks and punishing strikes. O’Reilly had the champion reeling after a series of knee strikes and attempted a Guillotine choke. However, Bálor countered and delivered a Coup de Grâce from the top rope, securing the pinfall victory.
8. WALTER vs. Ilja Dragunov – NXT UK Championship Match (NXT UK, October 29, 2020)
WALTER and Dragunov engaged in one of the most physical matches in WWE history. The brutal strikes and relentless pacing left both men visibly battered. A standout moment saw WALTER delivering thunderous chops and a powerbomb, but Dragunov kept rising. After Dragunov attempted to lock in a sleeper, WALTER countered with a devastating powerbomb and a stiff lariat, retaining his championship.
7. Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch – NXT Women’s Championship Match (NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable, May 20, 2015)
Becky and Sasha delivered a technically sound contest, with Becky targeting Sasha’s arm for an extended period. Sasha’s heel antics, including taunting and stomping on Becky’s hand, added to the drama. Becky nearly won with a Dis-Arm-Her, but Sasha reversed it into the Bank Statement submission. Becky ultimately tapped out, allowing Sasha to retain.
📌 Sasha Banks vs. Bayley – NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn (2015)pic.twitter.com/l7fKjVCvqD
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6. Adam Cole vs. Johnny Gargano – NXT Championship 2-Out-of-3 Falls Match (NXT TakeOver: New York, April 5, 2019)
Cole took the first fall with a Last Shot knee, while Gargano won the second fall via Garga-No-Escape submission. The final fall was filled with interference from The Undisputed Era, but Gargano survived their onslaught. After a brutal exchange of superkicks and reversals, Gargano finally forced Cole to submit to the Garga-No-Escape, securing the title.
5. The Revival vs. DIY – 2-Out-of-3 Falls Match for the NXT Tag Team Championships (NXT TakeOver: Toronto, November 19, 2016)
The Revival used their old-school wrestling expertise, while DIY showcased innovative tandem offense. The first fall went to The Revival after a Shatter Machine on Gargano, but DIY responded with a Meeting in the Middle to even the score. The final fall featured DIY kicking out of another Shatter Machine. The decisive moment came when both members of The Revival were locked in simultaneous submissions—a desperate tap-out from both Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder crowned DIY the new champions.
4. Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura – Singles Match (NXT TakeOver: Dallas, April 1, 2016)
Marking Nakamura’s electrifying NXT debut, this match was full of his brutal striking and Zayn’s counter-wrestling. The crowd erupted as the two exchanged forearm strikes, culminating in a heated “Fight Forever” chant. Zayn countered Nakamura’s Kinshasa attempt with a Blue Thunder Bomb. However, Nakamura regained control, landing a series of devastating kicks before delivering a final Kinshasa knee strike, sealing his debut victory.
3. Tyler Bate vs. Pete Dunne – WWE UK Championship Match (NXT TakeOver: Chicago, May 20, 2017)
Bate and Dunne put on a technical wrestling masterpiece. Bate’s incredible airplane spin and standing shooting star press wowed the audience, while Dunne countered with brutality. The action escalated with Bate launching into a dive, only for Dunne to sidestep and deliver a vicious Bitter End on the floor. The decisive moment came when Dunne hit another Bitter End inside the ring, capturing the WWE UK Championship.
2. Johnny Gargano vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas – NXT Championship Match (NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, January 27, 2018)
Gargano and Almas engaged in a fast-paced, technical bout filled with brutal strikes and near-falls. Almas controlled the early action, targeting Gargano’s head and neck. Gargano’s slingshot DDT and Almas’s double knees into the turnbuckle were among the key moments. The turning point occurred when Zelina Vega attempted to interfere but was chased off by Candice LeRae. However, Almas capitalized on a distracted Gargano and delivered a hammerlock DDT from the top rope, retaining his championship.
Which is the greatest WWE NXT match of all time?
Bayley vs. Sasha Banks – NXT Women’s Championship Match (NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, August 22, 2015)
Sasha displayed ruthless aggression, targeting Bayley’s previously injured hand. A critical moment came when Sasha hit a devastating suicide dive, only for Bayley to counter with a top-rope reverse hurricanrana. Bayley capitalized by delivering a Bayley-to-Belly suplex from the top rope, securing the pinfall and her first NXT Women’s Championship.