For the second straight year, NXT will host one of its TakeOver live specials over WrestleMania weekend, and once again, a majority of fans are more excited for what NXT will have to offer on April 1 rather than the main product the next night.
That isn't to say WrestleMania 33 will be terrible, but there are simply so many unknown factors regarding the event at this time, which isn't a great sign considering we are two weeks out from the Show of Shows. Meanwhile, NXT has three matches set for TakeOver: Orlando and it already appears to be promising.
Almost every time a TakeOver special has been held the same weekend as a WWE pay-per-view, NXT has outshined them, and the upcoming instalment should be no exception. Let's look at the top five reasons why TakeOver: Orlando could very well be better than WrestleMania 33.
#5 The debut of Aleister Black
In addition to showcasing the current crop of stars, NXT does an excellent job almost every TakeOver special of giving some shine to the talent of tomorrow as well. Hideo Itami, Baron Corbin, Samoa Joe, Kevin Owens and many others have debuted at TakeOver in past years, and TakeOver: Orlando will continue that strong streak.
In recent weeks, vignettes have aired on NXT TV hyping up the impending arrival of Aleister Black, better known to fans as Tommy End from the British wrestling scene. In fact, he competed under his original name at the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament event against Neville back in January.
What Black has in store in for the WWE Universe remains uncertain, let alone in what capacity he will appear. But one thing is for sure: Fans will get their first official look at Black at TakeOver: Orlando and it is bound to be great.
#4 A more intimate atmosphere
By and large, NXT draws rowdy crowds to its TakeOver specials, and they never disappoint in being amped up for the action. The main roster crowds aren't always as electric, making some of their pay-per-views a bit of a bore to watch on television.
Of course, WrestleMania features fans from all over the world coming together to witness a wrestling spectacle, and thus it's virtually impossible for them to be a quiet crowd. That said, the arenas WrestleMania are held in are so large that they don't quite capture the same sound a smaller building would.
Emanating from the Amway Center, TakeOver: Orlando should have a pretty packed house. A lively audience makes all the difference and TakeOver could be more entertaining than WrestleMania in that respect.
#3 A significantly more stacked tag team title match
Tag team title matches at WrestleMania tend to be total throwaway in an attempt to get everyone on the card. This year's instalment will be no different with The Club defending the Raw Tag Team Championship against Cesaro and Sheamus and Enzo Amore and Big Cass in a Triple Threat match fans could not care less about.
NXT TakeOver: Orlando will feature a Triple Threat tag team title match as well, but it's a bout that has been way better built. DIY, The Revival and current champions Authors of Pain have been on a collision course for months and have all had excellent matches with each other as of late.
This past week, NXT general manager William Regal made the match official for TakeOver, though it will be contested under elimination-style rules. It should be an absolute barn-burner of a matchup and likely one of the most thrilling matches all WrestleMania weekend.
#2 It's a third of the length
A major knock on WrestleMania, especially in recent years, is how long it is at six hours in length. Of course, that includes the Kickoff show, but it isn't out of the ordinary for the Show of Shows to go overtime either, a la WrestleMania 32 last year.
No matter how much you love wrestling, you have to admit that six-plus hours is a long, long time, making it incredibly difficult to remain invested from start to finish. It's also tough for WWE to produce a phenomenal show when there's a good chance it will drag.
Thankfully, TakeOver: Orlando won't suffer that same fate given it will only be two if not two and a half hours. NXT has had some stellar specials over the years because they maintain a perfect pace throughout the night and end the evening on a high note, not leaving their viewers feeling exhausted.
#1 An actually anticipated rematch in the main event
For the sixth straight year, a part-timer will be headlining WrestleMania, and for the first time ever, two part-timers will be involved in the 'Mania main event. Needless to say, that isn't the best message to send regarding the current roster and how much faith the company has in them to sell tickets.
Sure, Goldberg vs. Lesnar is arguably the biggest bout WWE can do at the moment, but after their first two encounters were massive disappointments, fans shouldn't expect their WrestleMania match to be any better. It won't be the most exhilarating 'Mania main event of all-time, though Bobby Roode vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the NXT Championship at TakeOver: Orlando should pick up the slack.
Those two went head-to-head at TakeOver: San Antonio and contested a killer match. Nakamura has been in hot pursuit of the title ever since and it's a rematch that is sure to satisfy fans, unlike the WrestleMania main event.
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