Every NXT Takeover usually coincides with a Big-4 main roster pay-per-view. But that is not the case this time; NXT Takeover: Chicago comes to us this weekend, from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. 24 hours after this showcase from WWE’s top-tier developmental talent is Backlash, a B pay-per-view from SmackDown Live.
We have reason to believe that the yellow brand will completely eclipse Backlash (even without Ember Moon).
Why do we feel this way? Let us give you 5 compelling reasons for the same.
#5 High probability of Adam Cole’s debut
Adam Cole is one of the biggest names in the wrestling world that's not signed to WWE as of today. NXT Takeovers are notorious for showing top talent from the indy world at ringside before they come on board. We believe that there’s an extremely high probability of seeing Adam Cole in the stands at Takeover: Chicago.
Much like when we saw Apollo Crews, Drew McIntyre and Bobby Roode in various Takeover stands before they joined the NXT roster, this should be an awesome moment. We have no doubt that if he is seen ringside, he will become the top star on NXT in almost no time.
At ROH’s ‘War of the Worlds’ pay-per-view event, Cole was officially booted out of the Bullet Club (quite literally, with double superkicks from The Young Bucks) and replaced by ‘The Villain’ Marty Scurll.
While Dave Meltzer from Wrestling Observer Radio had raised the possibility of him joining New Japan Pro Wrestling as well, it seems quite likely that he's NXT bound right now. Of course, this is all just speculation, but we think Adam Cole may be on his way in.
#4 An actual Number 1 contender
When all is said and done, Hideo Itami comes across as a believable threat to Bobby Roode, when compared to Jinder Mahal, whose push came out of nowhere at all. Itami was a top player on NXT before an injury put him on the shelf, and he returned and earned his Number 1 Contendership opportunity after an absolutely amazing match against Roderick Strong.
Jinder Mahal, almost overnight, came from being a mid-card talent to the number 1 contender for Randy Orton’s WWE Championship.
If anything, Jinder Mahal wrestling for the WWE Championship at a pay-per-view, when AJ Styles and Kevin Owens are feuding over a mid card championship at the same event, just immensely devalues the brand’s top prize. Mahal is not a bad worker, but we know that Randy Orton vs. Jinder Mahal won't be a fraction as good as Itami vs. Bobby Roode, by a long shot.
#3 A legitimately interesting tag team contest
While SmackDown Live dubs itself as the 'land of opportunity’, it leads to some strange booking decisions indeed. In addition to Jinder Mahal challenging Randy Orton for the WWE Championship, Breezango are the Number 1 contenders for the SmackDown Tag Team titles.
Taking nothing away from their talent, their push is sudden without enough character development. In comparison, the Authors of Pain and #DIY have had a fantastic rivalry so far, and this is possibly the final chapter in their saga before Heavy Machinery presumably enters the picture, in the future.
#2 The women’s title will be defended
Asuka is the perfect example of how to book a dominant champion. We recently learned that she had surpassed Goldberg's 173-0 streak and at this moment, looks completely unstoppable. We are interested to see how she fares against SAnitY member Nikki Cross and newcomer Ruby Riot.
What does not interest us, however, is the 6-woman tag team match that SmackDown Live has booked at Backlash. The Welcoming Committee storyline has been a dud, and unless there’s a massive swerve, we feel that the tag team match will be of no real consequence at all.
We want WWE to prove us wrong and for Backlash to be a great show, but one can only hope.
#1 The return of JR
Fans of sports entertainment can rejoice once again. While one may have to endure JBL and Byron Saxton at Backlash, the greatest announcer in the history of wrestling, Jim Ross, will be in action at NXT Takeover: Chicago to call the action between Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne for the WWE United Kingdom Championship.
This will be his first appearance for the company since Wrestlemania 33, where he called the match between The Undertaker and Roman Reigns. Good Ol’ JR will also call the United Kingdom special on the WWE Network the night before. WWE fans are truly in for a real treat.
Prove us wrong, WWE. Please make Backlash a show to remember!
