The NXT TakeOver:Brooklyn II lit up the Barclays Center this past Saturday. With loud sing-a-longs and consistent support for some of the bigger stars who make up NXT’s current roster, NXT established itself as a live event experience that transcends an otherwise capable roster.
Samoa Joe and Nakamura gave it all in the ring and created a gem of a wrestling match, something that has been synonymous with NXT TakeOver. Finally, Nakamura picked up the victory and became the new NXT Champion. Samoa Joe has had an excellent run in NXT, but it seems that he may not be there much longer.
Some reports state that the expectations after WWE Summerslam weekend indicate that both Bayley and Samoa Joe are headed for WWE’s main roster in the very near future.
Joe being brought to WWE television and finishing up in NXT hasn’t been heavily rumored, but there has always been some speculation about when WWE officials think the time is right to bring him to WWE television. It is only a matter of time before he’s wrestling on Raw or SmackDown, but the timing may be much sooner than many expected.
With Nakamura taking the title at NXT Takeover, Samoa Joe will most likely get his rematch for the NXT title over the next several weeks or a few months before leaving NXT for WWE TV.
If Dave Meltzer is to be believed, what looked like a jaw injury for Samoa Joe at the end of his loss to Shinsuke Nakamura on Saturday was a work done for storyline purposes.
If Samoa Joe does join the main roster, it’s a question whether he’ll be joining the SmackDown or RAW. The interesting thing about that is Joe recently said that he’d welcome a match with Brock Lesnar. That would be much easier to pull off if Joe were on Raw, but SmackDown allows several opportunities for him on WWE television. Joe could engage in some intense feuds with John Cena, Randy Orton, Dean Ambrose, AJ Styles or even Bray Wyatt. Latest speculation suggests Owens might head to Smackdown.
On the other hand, Bayley coming to WWE television has been looming for the majority of 2016 and is imminent after her appearance at WWE Battleground and the ending of her match this weekend. Bayley lost in her rematch with Asuka. At the end of the match, Asuka shook her hand and left the ring, so that the spotlight would be on perhaps the most over character in the Women’s division.
But following the conclusion of a thrilling match, the WWE Universe sent a seemingly despondent and heartbroken Bayley off with a long and loud ovation, fit for a wrestler leaving her promotion.
