The day before SummerSlam (this Saturday, August 20th to be exact), NXT has their biggest WWE Network special of the year so far. Last year, NXT took their TakeOver special to Brooklyn, where everyone on the card tore the house down. This ranged from Bayley and Sasha Banks to The Vaudevillains (you read that right) and Blue Pants. This year, NXT is back in Brooklyn and has a lot of pressure going into this event. Saturday has to match or exceed the quality of last year’s Brooklyn TakeOver, NXT TakeOver: Dallas, this weekend’s Ring of Honor and EVOLVE specials, and SummerSlam the following night. With the match card NXT General Manager William Regal has set up, there is a good chance for that to happen.
Ember Moon vs. Billie Kay
Billie Kay is pretty new to the NXT roster, making her debut only a few weeks ago. What makes Billie Kay different from other incoming NXT women is that she originally debuted against Dana Brooke on SmackDown (the fact that she lost does not really matter in her eyes). Kay has been on quite the winning streak since her debut, and was infuriated that she did not have a spot on the so-called “epic” TakeOver card. In order for the show to live up to its hype, Kay wanted an opponent. William Regal agreed to her demands, and scheduled her in a match against the debuting Ember Moon. The NXT Universe doesn’t know anything about Ember Moon, and it is intriguing to find out who this new Superstar is.
No Way Jose vs. Austin Aries
Austin Aries feels that he has been overlooked since his debut at NXT TakeOver: Dallas when he defeated NXT veteran and Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner Baron Corbin. The problem was that on the same night, Shinsuke Nakamura also made his debut, diminishing the spotlight that Aries had. Aries failed to defeat Nakamura at NXT TakeOver: The End, and now looks to take out another Superstar who has gained some spotlight: No Way Jose. No Way Jose started off as a fun, dancing wrestler who wanted to have a good time. Ever since Aries assaulted him, we have seen a surprisingly serious and aggressive side of Jose, and it should make for an intense battle.
Bobby Roode vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas
A couple weeks ago, former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode made a “glorious” debut when he stated that he is the Superstar that NXT needs. In order to prove this, he takes on a currently undefeated NXT Superstar in Almas, who has won his fair share of matches since he debuted at NXT TakeOver: The End. There really isn’t a lot behind this match other than two Superstars who could soon be challenging for the NXT Championship.
The Revival (c) vs. Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa – NXT Tag Team Championship
The Revival defeated American Alpha at “The End” to become the first-ever two-time NXT Tag Team Champions. The week before that, however, Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa defeated Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder in an exhibition match. This automatically placed the two Cruiserweight Classic competitors in the #1 Contender’s spot, even though TM61 hoped to pencil their own names in that spot instead. Gargano and Ciampa have been doing very well in singles and tag matches, but if the Revival wants to solidify their claim as the greatest tag team in the business, they are going to have to keep the belts for a little longer.
Asuka (c) vs. Bayley – NXT Women’s Championship
Bayley is perhaps the greatest NXT Women’s Champion of all time, or was, if Asuka has anything to say about it. Bayley won the championship last year in Brooklyn when she had an instant classic with Sasha Banks, and defeated almost everybody in her path. Keyword: “almost.” Bayley defended her Women’s Championship against Asuka in Dallas and seemed to be the first woman to end Asuka’s undefeated streak. Instead, Bayley passed out (a very important detail) from the Asuka Lock and after facing Nia Jax the following week, she would be put on the shelf for several weeks. During that time, Asuka successfully defended the title against Nia Jax at “The End.”
Bayley returned to action a few weeks ago, and has prepared enough for rematch against the biggest threat she has ever faced in her career. Bayley can redeem her loss, or Asuka can keep her undefeated streak going (and hopefully send Bayley to the main roster already).
Samoa Joe (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura – NXT Championship
We can call almost any Nakamura match a “dream match,” but this NXT Championship match definitely fits the bill. Samoa Joe has had a monstrous run in NXT, from winning the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic to destroying the demon that is Finn Balor. Joe has destroyed practically everyone on the roster, except for The King of Strong Style himself. Nakamura has been baiting the monster, so to speak, and his playful antics have just made Joe even more ready for the killing. What Joe needs to keep in mind, however, is that as soon as Nakamura enters the ring, he is all business.
There is potential for the loser of this match to be sent to the main roster, and the other will carry NXT. Both men are very qualified for both positions, and the result of this surely amazing match will only make wrestling better.
