'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The NXT taping from the historic sound stage in Atlanta, Georgia brought us several matches, promos and match setups for the upcoming NXT TakeOver Philadelphia. Multiple superstars were on this show (more than usual) and allowed the NXT Universe to become more invested in the stories leading into the TakeOver event on the 27th Jan.
Here are 6 takeaways from this week's NXT:
#6 Lacey Evans
Lacey in the past has been positioned as the fan favorite armed force's heroine, who was a marine trainer and working mother. However, this week the Mae Young Classic competitor defeated Aliyah and proceeded to denounce both her and the other 'trash' on the women's division such as Nikki Cross, Ember Moon, and Kairi Sane. Although interrupted by the now monster heel of Shayna Baszler, Lacey received boo's from the crowd and this will likely continue.
#5 Moss and Sabbatelli
The two former NFL stars continue to work as heels in the NXT tag division, causing ire with the fans and the fellow superstars with their entitled attitude and constant bragging. This week, the two took on the destructive looking 'Heavy Machinery' and after a match of bruising offense by the heavy superstars, it was Riddick Moss who picked up the win with a calculated pair of feet on the ropes when the referee has started the count. The progression continues for these two NXT superstars.
#4 TM61
A great insight into the lives and careers of the two popular Australian superstars, who have been on the shelf for over a year due to Shane Thorne needing knee surgery after the last Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. With their lives becoming a parallel of each other from the age of 15 through till now, best friend always work together in a tag team, and their return is eagerly awaited.
#3 Johnny Gargano
Johnny Gargano has continually felt the need to prove himself in NXT, whilst in the DIY tag team with Ciampa, through to being accepted as a legitimate NXT Championship contender as a single's star. After earning the right to a shot at Cien Almas's title at TakeOver Philly, Johnny has been berated every week by Zelina Vega and Velveteen Dream for not being worthy of the shot.
Johnny finally had enough this week and demanded respect and gave Velveteen Dream a match on next week's TV for the shot at Cien Almas. Will Johnny regret this decision come TakeOver?
#2 Shayna Baszler
As mentioned earlier, Shayna interrupted the post-match promo of Lacey Evans and continued her bullying assaults on the women's locker room by attacking Aliyah after her defeat. Aliyah was saved in turn by Ember Moon who told Shayna to try that tactic with her in the ring. After smirking and remarking she didn't have her gear, Baszler said she would only face Moon if the NXT Women's title was put on the line. This was then agreed by William Regal and added to the NXT TakeOver event next weekend.
#1 The Author's of Pain
With an NXT Tag Title shot up for grabs against 'The Undisputed Era' at NXT TakeOver Philly, AOP was up against the Street Profits in the main event of NXT this week. What was a good opportunity for the boys from the street to shine was merely a stepping stone for the monstrous Akam and Rezar, who obliterated their opposition in 7 minutes and set up another meeting between two of the teams from the WarGames match a few months ago.
