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We're only days removed from yet another NXT TakeOver, and judging from the events of this week, this card will be awesome. That said, when has TakeOver not delivered? Invariably every TakeOver card just seems to push the limits, overshadowing the previous card with regard to blowing our minds. This week was no different, really.
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Well, a feud is only as good as the build. This week's episode of NXT built nicely to NXT TakeOver: Chicago across an hour of action. We were served just the right appetizer before the main course comes our way, next weekend.
I have picked out five points that I particularly enjoyed this week. I do hope you will chime in with your comments as well.
What did you like about this week's NXT episode?
#5 Singles match to 6-Man brawl
On the surface, this was a pretty meaningless match. Two men who are supposed to clash in a Tag Team environment at NXT TakeOver: Chicago met in a singles match. This match had no stakes and I had no expectations from the match at all. And then, all hell broke loose.
Both Roderick Strong and Danny Burch are great competitors and they started the match off strong (no pun intended at all). As one would expect The Undisputed ERA joined the party supporting their newest recruit. And then, Pete Dunne and Oney Lorcan interfered.
Danny Burch seemed to have the match won, when Adam Cole would interfere and cause a distraction, allowing Roderick Strong to pick up a big win. Another brawl ensued, with the babyfaces eventually eating the mat and the heels walking out victorious and triumphant!
#4 Sane wins the feud 2-1
If there was an NXT Women's North American Championship, these two women would be competing for it. For what it is worth, I'm sure one of these women will enter the Championship picture quite soon indeed. It may just be Kairi Sane judging from the events of this week. After all, she did win her rubber match against Lacey Evans.
At first glance one would say that Sane is the more athletic of the two opponents whereas Evans is the powerhouse. Both women showcased incredible feats that I never saw coming. Sane rocked Evans with a bunch of powerful moves while Evans hit an incredible moonsault from the top rope (and missed).
I wonder if this means that Shayna Baszler will win her match in Chicago to set up a Sane vs. Baszler rematch for SummerSlam weekend. I wouldn't mind seeing the two women clash again because they do work well with each other.
#3 Complete transition to heeldom
Why did Thorne and Miller wrestle two enhancement talents this week? The answer is actually quite simple. The two men have become heels and through this match, they showed off their less flashy, more ground and pound move set. The purpose of this match was to showcase to the NXT Universe that they are no longer the same old guys!
The two men even cut a heel promo following the match saying how they had cleaned out the Tag Team division. I wonder if they will enter the title picture next.
#2 The Chicago Street Fight prelude
Gargano and Ciampa put on perhaps the best match in NXT history at the last TakeOver event. And they will recreate the same magic in a street fight at Money in the Bank weekend. To prepare us for their next showdown, they gave us a taste of just how they can steal the show with a brawl. NXT went off the air this week, with Ciampa completely busted open.
Gargano used to be a white meat babyface. He has just been pushed too far and now, he simply doesn't care. After his wife was injured, he took out months of frustration on Ciampa this week.
The show went off the air with Ciampa in a world of pain. These two men will only step it up in Chicago!
#1 Big title match confirmed
Nikki Cross has managed to get in Shayna Baszler's head and for a change, the Champ is scared. After bullying the entire NXT locker room, she is freaked out by the Twister Sister. Cross and Baszler came to blows in the opening segment this week. And this led to a big match being set up.
This picture sums it up perfectly to me. Have you ever seen Baszler scared? Look at her retreating up the ramp from Cross.
Somehow, I think Baszler will retain in Chicago. She has far too much momentum right now to lose the Championship.
Please leave your opinion about this week's episode and TakeOver: Chicago in the comments section!
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