[7.0] "[4.0*] This was a solid match. Balor and Cole can deliver more in the ring, the action was good but limited due to it being a weekly show product and not a ppv. The pacing was good and the moves too. The ending was the best part of this match, the crowd heated up and Cole and Balor shined, especially Cole doing his best moves to try to win here."
[6.0] "Solid match with some good action in the second half. Cole worked both the knee and neck of Balor to set up for his signature moves. Cole's work on top was forgettable, but the match picked up once Balor made his comebacks. The back and forth action and sequences were really smooth and well timed. Nothing special but better than most Cole matches in NXT. ***"
[7.0] "Due to a lack of build, Cole and Balor did not have much of a story to tell. In the end, this was the only result that could work. Balor needed to lose but still be protected."
[9.0] "Amazing match, TakeOver caliber. A dream match that completely met my expectations, these two have a great chemistry. Their match during the COVID-era was already fantastic, and here it was even better, with an electric crowd that responded favourably to everything Cole and Bálor proposed. A logical thing, since what they offered was captivating action mixing great sequences and big nearfalls. The finish didn't disturb me since it was to resume the rivalry between Gargano and Bálor, then sometimes heel must win in a heelish way. Great stuff all around in this brilliant opener. (****½)"
[9.0] "Wie verrückt das ist. 2019 hatten sie den Opener, 2020 wieder den Opener und bei beiden Matches stand der Titel auf dem Spiel. 2020 halt ohne No Limit. Nur der Ref war unterschiedlich 2019 war es, Drake, 2020 Tom Castor. Wie 20202 einfach großartig (****1/4)."
[8.0] "Match was very good. It wasn't the best they could do. Despite that and wanting to see a bit more of these two guys beating the shit out of each other, this was done right with a very good pacing and some incredible exchanges. The offense would feel conflicting at times as Adam targeted the neck and then would go back to the legs. Although the commentary acknowledge this fact giving emphasis on the Panama Sunrise. Loved the return of Gargano. I am not a fan of the ending although I can understand it. Overall a very good match in my opinion. ****."
[7.0] "High Profile Opening einer eigentlich nur als normale Weekly erwarteten Episode NXT. Cole und Balor nutzen die Zeit, die sie endlich auch einmal alleine im Ring bekommen, ganz solide, wobei man die Haltung und die Rolle Balors immer noch nicht so richtig einschätzen kann, und Cole einfach heiss wie Frittenfett ist. Als Match funktioniert das wie zu erwarten seriös, mit gekonnter Technik und akzentuierter Erzählung, auch wenn man nicht ans Limit kommt. Zudem ist das Ablenkungsfinish mit der Ankunft Garganos leidlich unter Niveau. Trotzdem ziemlich passabel."
[6.0] "It is a nice match with a linear structure. In fact, the Cole's Superkick has changed the game with the Cole's return in a first part dominated by Balor. The Balor's selling after that kick is not very constant with an use of legs too clean. The final is ok, but it should have been with a better timing. The fighting stuff are pretty, but not excellent. ***1/2"
[8.0] "Wasn't slow and kept the pace nice and even. A very good opening match and one that set the tone for the episode. While it was obvious Cole would retain, Balor was a challenge and had just as much of a chance at winning as Cole did. I enjoyed Cole attempting to get his Last Shot in by targeting Balor's head, as well as his knee in order to keep him grounded. Who woulda thought that it would be an outside factor and a low blow that does the job? Good stuff."
[6.0] "The finish was cool, the rest of the match was very generic and unremarkable between two guys who need someone excellent like a Bryan or Brock to get something great out of them. Still, solid match ***1/4"
[8.0] "I really liked the first half of the match, much more focused than other Cole's matches this year, showing how the champ is really a multifaceted wrestler. Then the pace speeded up, and the timing of both athletes was excellent. The finish played well in order to continue the Gargano-Balor issue, while granting Cole a prestigious victory. Of course, it removed something from the match overall, but it was still a really good championship opener. ****"
[8.0] "Ein interessantes Match, was zwar erstmal mit Bodywork anfängt und da auch einen sinnvollen und nicht zu langen Aufbau hat und sich dann aber gegen Ebde noch mal richtig steigert was die Aktionsdichte angeht und auch Spannung und Dramatik aufbaut. Auch wenn die Story nicht sehr tiefgründig ist, stellen die beiden hier insgesamt ein wirklich gutes Match auf die Beine was meiner Meinung nach 8 Punkte verdient."
[9.0] "Great match. The story here was Cole trying to set up Balor for the last shot working over the head/neck despite Balor knee being injured. Cole only worked the knee when he absolutely needed to, so that he could get an advantage to get back to working the head/neck. It's in really the best story-telling possible, it never really made much sense when a wrestler works the leg/arm for the first 15 mins of a match or whatever but then their finish impacts the back or the head. So Cole & Balor really put together a match that made sense. Cole focused on Balor's head & neck and only worked the leg when he absolutely needed too. All in all this turned out to be a great match with some great drama. **** 1/4"
[8.0] "Erwartungsgemäß liefern Cole und Balor ein sehr leichtgängiges, gutes NXT Title Match. Offener Schlagabtausch, das typische NXT-Formula in der Schlussphase entfaltet auch hier seinen Charme und das Finish passt ideal in die Geschichte. Sitzt."
[10.0] "What a wonderful match finn and cole played, a game worth watching. At one time, I thought finn was going to win the championship for the second time, and the treatment at the end of the competition was also very reasonable. It not only retained finn's plot strength, but also led to the following plot. johnny's return was also very exciting. Looking forward to the competition between finn and johnny!"
[7.0] "Pretty good match with amazing sequences. That match was a helluva way to start the show and had amazing moments. At first, I was rating it as 4. 5*, but after the finish, I lowered a little bit, but still, for a weekly show this was a nice ending that started a new feud. ****1/4"
