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What’s the story?
According to Wrestling Observer Radio's Dave Meltzer, the WWE initially planned Adam Cole vs. Drew McIntyre rather than the latter defending the NXT Championship vs Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas at Takeover: WarGames.
Additionally, Meltzer revealed why the WWE scrapped its original plans, besides also addressing future plans for the NXT Championship and the aforementioned Superstars.
In case you didn’t know…
NXT Takeover: WarGames went down last night and is being widely praised by fans and experts alike.
The show saw Drew McIntyre lost the NXT Championship to Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas and also a bicep injury sustained by McIntyre.
The heart of the matter
Meltzer revealed that the management initially planned for Adam Cole to face off against Drew McIntyre’s belt at the event, however, the former was alternatively booked in the WarGames match owing to WWE bringing back the iconic concept. Almas was not initially planned to challenge for the title at the event.
Apparently, the WWE higher-ups felt booking Adam Cole in the WarGames matchup as a better idea, and resultantly had Almas challenge McIntyre for the NXT Championship. With McIntyre on hiatus due to injury, Cole is likely to challenge Almas for the belt in the weeks to come.
Furthermore, Meltzer stated that he isn’t privy as to whether or not the WWE intend on calling up McIntyre to the main roster following his NXT Championship loss.
What’s next?
Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas is the new NXT Champion and is likely to be involved in a feud with Adam Cole in the days to come. On the other hand, fans can expect more details on Drew McIntyre’s status revealed very soon.
Author’s take
NXT Takeover: WarGames was an epic event, irrespective of the WWE’s original plans for the title matchup being canned.
However, what’s even more intriguing is how the WWE chooses to use McIntyre—a man who achieved considerable success in several promotions the world over during his WWE hiatus. Will the ‘Chosen One’ rise to the top of the food chain? We’ll have to wait and watch!
