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Among the emerging threat of the newest competitor AEW and continuous declining quality of the product on the main roster, NXT TakerOver XXV assured us tonight that WWE does have what it takes to give a head to head fight to Cody and company.
From the start to the very end, TakeOver tonight was a huge success. It might not have been the best TakeOver that NXT has produced, but that's more of a proof of the developmental brand's excellence than anything else.
The show was filled with amazing matches, great in-ring action, and huge surprises. The fatal four-way tag team ladder match saw Street Profits become the new NXT Tag Team Champions in a jaw-dropping contest. The night ended with the Undisputed Era standing tall as Adam Cole defeated Johnny Gargano to become the new NXT Champion in the main event of the night.
In what was a brilliant reply to AEW's Double or Nothing, WWE told us many secret things through the show tonight. In this article, let's take a look at the 3 things WWE and NXT secretly told us at NXT TakeOver XXV.
#3 Johnny Gargano might move to the main roster soon
While all the matches at TakeOver tonight were amazing, the two matches that stood out for me were the Fatal four-way Tag Team ladder match and the main event between Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano.
In what was a surprising title change, Adam Cole became the new NXT Champion by defeating Gargano clean. The key word here is "clean" because if this was an interference or distraction finish, the story would have been different.
I did not expect Gargano's reign to end so soon, and the biggest question now is what's next for Mr. Wrestling. With Cole at the top of the mountain now, will Johnny move to the main roster permanently? Just to remind you, Gargano did move-up to the main roster a few months ago along with Ricochet, Aleister Black, and Tomasso Ciampa, but moved back to NXT after his title victory at NXT TakeOver New York.
He might continue his feud with Cole for the time being leading to a decider match at the SummerSlam weekend after which he might move up to RAW or SmackDown full time.
#2 Io Shirai will defeat Shayna Baszler soon
Io Shirai's post-match turn was another big surprise that no one saw coming. Being the bubbly babyface that she is, it was shocking to see her beat down Shayna Baszler with a kendo stick and steel chair after her loss.
The decision of making Shirai turn on Shayna after a clean loss was confusing. Such a beat down usually generates sympathy towards the victim, but the merciless crowd chanted "You deserve it" to a struggling Shayna Baszler. She has made such an image of herself on NXT, that it would be tough to get the crowd on her side.
While it will be interesting to see whether this was a proper heel turn from Shirai or a sign of ruthless aggression in the days to come, but she looks set to dethrone Shayna as the NXT Women's Champion soon. Maybe as soon as the NXT TakeOver on the SummerSlam weekend.
I also have a feeling that Candice LeRae's assist at the end was a huge moment, as she could be highly involved in this feud, maybe even turning it into a triple-threat.
#1 NXT will lead the war against All Elite Wrestling
After the massive success of AEW Double or Nothing, most of the fans were really disappointed to see the following RAW and SmackDown not live up to the expectations.
But if there was one thing that Triple H and NXT told us at tonight's show, NXT will lead the war against All Elite Wrestling and not the main roster. While AEW's DoN was clearly better than the RAW and SmackDown that followed, the same can't be said about tonight's TakeOver as it did give a good competition to Double or Nothing in terms of in-ring quality and huge moments.
One of the major news coming out of NXT TakeOver XXV is the announcement of NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff which will take place on August 31. This is the same date when AEW's second PPV All Out will take place.
Triple H commented on the post-show presser that the NXT UK brand will be looking to make a statement on August 31st and look across the pond to say "follow that". The war looks on!
What were your thoughts on tonight's NXT TakeOver XXV? Let me know in the comments section below.
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