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What's the story?
Aleister Black defeated Andrade "Cien" Almas last night at NXT Takeover: New Orleans to become the NXT Champion, but it seems that this wasn't always the plan for The Stoic Superstar.
In case you didn't know...
Black has only been in NXT for almost two years and it seems that he has already turned a few heads and been labeled as the next best thing on the developmental brand. Black was undefeated until December last year when he was pinned by Johnny Gargano en route to his match against Almas for the NXT Championship in Philadelphia.
It seems that Black was kept away from the title picture until the build-up to Takeover: New Orleans began and he set his sights on Almas. Black has been one of NXT's stand out stars over the past few years and has even been rumored to be heading up to the main roster in the near future, but now he's Champion, it may not be anytime soon.
The heart of the matter
Even though Black was able to overcome the numbers game last night when Zelina Vega once again attempted to get involved and it backfired, it seems that Black wasn't originally. supposed to become NXT Champion.
Dave Meltzer explained as part of today's Wrestling Observer Radio that if Drew McIntyre wasn't sidelined through injury then things could have been different. (Transcript via RingsideNews).
“I don’t think it was time for Andrade to lose nor do I think it was time for Aleister Black to win. It just didn’t feel like the right time. I think they think Aleister Black is going to be a big-time Superstar and he’s got the push and everything but it just felt like Andrade was too hot right now and I know this was probably — when they put this thing together… probably the match they were putting together was McIntyre’s rematch.”
Black is now the top guy in NXT, but it will be interesting to see if McIntyre comes back to claim the title that he was never able to cash in his rematch for.
What's next?
Almas will definitely claim his rematch for the title but it's reported that Vince McMahon is hot on Almas and Vega right now so don't rule out an appearance for the duo on Raw tomorrow night.
Author's take
Almas showed the main roster what he was capable of with a solid display in The Royal Rumble match back in January.
It would be great for Almas to be promoted in the coming weeks so that McIntyre and Black can then open a feud of their own heading into the summer. It seems that with Black as the top guy in NXT, WWE has a number of options at their fingertips.
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