What’s the story?
At the WrestleMania 33 Axxess event on Saturday, NXT General Manager William Regal announced that NXT’s champions would be getting new belt designs at NXT TakeOver: Orlando.
In case you didn't know...
This will be the first upgrade of the yellow brand’s three championship belt designs since the NXT Championship was introduced in 2012. The women’s and tag team belts were introduced in 2013.
The men’s title is currently held by Bobby Roode, who will be defending his belt against Shinsuke Nakamura. Roode defeated Nakamura for the championship at NXT TakeOver: San Antonio in January.
Also read: WWE News: No Way Jose taken out by SAnitY during Wrestlemania Axxess tapings
The Authors of Pain will defend their NXT Tag Team gold against former champions #DIY and The Revival after taking the titles from #DIY in January. Asuka, who has been the NXT Women’s Champion for 362 days, will defend her belt against Ember Moon.
The card also includes a non-title singles match between Andrade “Cien” Almas and Aleister Black and an eight-person intergender tag match between SAnitY and Roderick Strong, Tye Dillinger, No Way Jose and Ruby Riot.
That match was jeopardised on Saturday as SAnity attacked Jose at Axxess.
The heart of the matter
Speaking to a crowd of NXT fans, Regal said that it was exciting to have WrestleMania in “our home” of Orlando, where NXT’s regular tapings take place at Full Sail University. Further, he announced the new belts, which will be given to the winners of the event’s three championship matches.
Regal was quoted as saying:
“It’s going to be extra special because we’re going to be unveiling new NXT championship titles, and I’m presenting those titles to the respective winners of every championship match”
Due to the brand split, several of the WWE’s main roster belts have gotten upgrades within the last year or so, while the NXT gold has remained basically the same. Based on that, one might argue that the time had come to change the titles.
Still, there had been very little complaints about the belts’ designs, so it’s a curious move to replace them all. It will remain to be seen if anything changes with the Championships’ qualifications, or if it will just be the appearance of the belts themselves.
What’s next?
NXT TakeOver: Orlando is set to begin at 8 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, April 1.
Author’s take
It’s really difficult to see any reason for NXT to replace its championship belts. None of them are more than about five years old, so they have a very modern look to them that is unique from the main roster’s championships.
At the same time, none of the belts are gaudy or ridiculous-looking, so it may be a mistake to replace them unless something major is in the works.
That said, most of what has been done with the developmental brand has been a hit with the fans, so it’s most likely that whatever change is made will be well-received and will work out in the end.
Regardless, this adds event more intrigue to an already exciting event.
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