This page will be your hub for the list of best NXT matches of 2021. These matches have been rated by Dave Meltzer in his Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscribe here). These matches have received a 4-star or above rating in 2021. Note: This just includes matches from NXT & NXT UK. You can also check out the best WWE matches of 2021 list, which focuses on the main roster.
The Best NXT Matches Of 2021
Note: We have not provided the winners, so you will be able to watch these matches unspoiled.
Finn Bálor vs Kyle O’Reilly
Event: New Year’s Evil (January 6th).
Finn Balor and Kyle O’Reilly faced off in the main event of NXT’s New Year’s Evil event. This was for the NXT Championship.
- Rating: 4.00 stars
Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher vs Adam Cole & Roderick Strong
Event: NXT (February 3rd)
The February 3rd episode of NXT featured a tag team match: Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher vs Adam Cole and Roderick Strong. This was for the men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
- Rating: 4.00 stars
Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza vs Nash Carter & Wes Lee
Event: NXT (February 10th)
The February 10th episode of NXT featured a tag team match: Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza vs Nash Carter and Wes Lee. This was for the men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
- Rating: 4.00 stars
Dakota Kai & Raquel González vs Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart
Event: NXT Takeover: Vengeance Day (February 14th)
NXT Takeover: Vengeance Day featured a tag team match: Dakota Kai and Raquel González vs Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart. This was for the women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
- Rating: 4.00 stars
KUSHIDA vs Santos Escobar
Event: WWE NXT (May 11th)
KUSHIDA and Santos Escobar faced off on the May 11th episode of NXT. This was for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
- Rating: 4.00 stars
Bobby Fish vs Pete Dunne
Event: WWE NXT (May 25th)
Bobby Fish and Pete Dunne faced off in a singles match on the May 25th episode of NXT.
- Rating: 4.00 stars
Bronson Reed, Nash Carter & Wes Lee vs Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza
Event: NXT Takeover: In Your House (June 13th)
Takeover: In Your House featured a 6-man tag team match for both the NXT Tag Team Titles and the NXT North American Title. This was Bronson Reed and MSK vs Legado del Fantasma.
- Rating: 4.00 stars
Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher vs Zack Gibson & James Drake
Event: WWE NXT (June 15th)
The June 15th episode of NXT featured a tag team match: It was Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher vs The Grizzled Young Veterans.
- Rating: 4.00 stars
Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory vs Pete Dunne & Oney Lorcan
Event: WWE NXT (June 22nd)
The June 22nd episode of NXT featured a tag team match. It was The Way vs Pete Dunne and Oney Lorcan.
- Rating: 4.00 stars
Kushida vs Kyle O’Reilly
Event: WWE NXT (June 22nd)
The June 22nd episode of NXT featured a singles match between Kushida and Kyle O’Reilly.
- Rating: 4.00 stars
Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher vs Nash Carter & Wes Lee
Event: NXT The Great American Bash
The 2021 edition of the Great American Bash featured a match for the NXT Tag Team Titles. It was MSK vs Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher.
- Rating: 4.00 stars
Karrion Kross vs Johnny Gargano
Event: WWE NXT (July 13th)
The July 13th edition of NXT featured a match between Karrion Kross and Johnny Gargano. This was for the NXT Championship.
- Rating: 4.00 stars
Ilja Dragunov vs Pete Dunne
Event: WWE NXT (August 10th)
Ilja Dragunov and Pete Dunne faced off on the August 10th episode of NXT.
- Rating: 4.00 stars
Ilja Dragunov vs Roderick Strong
Event: WWE NXT (August 17th)
Ilja Dragunov and Roderick Strong faced off on the August 17th episode of NXT.
A-Kid vs WALTER
Event: NXT UK (January 14th)
The January 14th episode of NXT UK featured a match between A-Kid and WALTER.
- Rating: 4.25 stars
Finn Balor vs Adam Cole
Event: NXT (March 10th)
The March 10th episode of NXT featured a match between Finn Balor and Adam Cole. This was for the NXT Championship.
- Rating: 4.25 stars
Pete Dunne vs Kushida
Event: NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver (Night 1)
The first match on night 1 of Takeover: Stand & Deliver was between Pete Dunne and Kushida.
- Rating: 4.25 stars
Io Shirai vs Raquel Gonzalez
Event: NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver (Night 1)
The main event on night 1 of Takeover: Stand & Deliver was between Io Shirai and Raquel Gonzalez. This was for the NXT Women’s Championship.
- Rating: 4.25 stars
Finn Balor vs Karrion Kross
Event: WWE NXT (May 25th)
The May 25th episode of NXT featured a match between Finn Balor and Karrion Kross. This was for the NXT Championship.
- Rating: 4.25 stars
Adam Cole vs Pete Dunne vs Johnny Gargano vs Karrion Kross vs Kyle O’Reilly
Event: NXT Takeover: In Your House (June 13th)
The main event of Takeover: In Your House was a fatal 5-way match for the NXT Championship. It was Adam Cole vs Pete Dunne vs Johnny Gargano vs Karrion Kross vs Kyle O’Reilly.
- Rating: 4.25 stars
Wes Lee & Nash Carter vs Zack Gibson & James Drake
Event: NXT Takeover: Vengeance Day (February 14th)
Takeover: Vengeance Day featured a tag team match: MSK vs The Grizzled Young Veterans. This was for the men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
- Rating: 4.5 stars
Finn Balor vs Pete Dunne
Event: NXT Takeover: Vengeance Day (February 14th)
Takeover: Vengeance Day featured a match between Finn Balor and Pete Dunne. This was for the NXT Championship.
- Rating: 4.5 stars
WALTER vs Tommaso Ciampa
Event: NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver (Night 1)
Night 1 of Takeover: Stand & Deliver featured a match between WALTER and Tommaso Ciampa. This was for the NXT United Kingdom Championship.
- Rating: 4.5 stars
Wes Lee & Nash Carter vs Zack Gibson & James Drake vs Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde
Event: NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver (Night 1)
Night 1 of Takeover: Stand & Deliver featured a triple threat match: MSK vs Grizzled Young Veterans vs Legado del Fantasma. This was for the vacant NXT Tag Team Championships.
- Rating: 4.5 stars
Adam Cole vs Kyle O’Reilly
Event: NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver (Night 2)
The main event of Night 2 of Takeover: Stand & Deliver was between Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly. This was an unsanctioned match.
- Rating: 4.5 stars
Adam Cole vs Kyle O’Reilly
Event: NXT The Great American Bash
Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly faced off at The Great American Bash.
- Rating: 4.5 stars
Adam Cole vs Kyle O’Reilly
Event: NXT Takeover: 36
Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly faced off at NXT Takeover: 36. This was a 2 out of 3 falls match.
- Rating: 4.5 stars
Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel vs Kyle O’Reilly and Von Wagner
Event: NXT WarGames
The 2021 edition of WarGames featured a match for the NXT Tag Team belts. It was Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel vs Kyle O’Reilly and Von Wagner.
- Rating: 4.5 stars
Johnny Gargano vs KUSHIDA
Event: NXT Takeover: Vengeance Day (February 14th)
Takeover: Vengeance Day featured a match between KUSHIDA and Johnny Gargano. This was for the NXT North American Championship.
- Rating: 4.75 stars
Bron Breakker, Carmelo Hayes, Grayson Waller, and Tony D’Angelo vs Johnny Gargano, LA Knight, Pete Dunne, and Tommaso Ciampa
Event: NXT WarGames
The 2021 edition of WarGames featured a men’s WarGames match. It was Team 2.0 (Bron Breakker, Carmelo Hayes, Grayson Waller, and Tony D’Angelo) vs Team Black & Gold (Johnny Gargano, LA Knight, Pete Dunne, and Tommaso Ciampa )
- Rating: 4.75 stars
WALTER vs Ilja Dragunov
Event: NXT Takeover: 36
WALTER and Ilja Dragunov faced off at NXT Takeover: 36. This was for the NXT United Kingdom Championship.
Rating: 5.25 stars
What is your favorite on the list of best NXT matches of 2021? Let me know in the comment section below. On a related note, you can check out the best AEW matches of 2021.
