NXT has not been the hot topic of conversation recently like it was only a few years ago. In order to create social media buzz, NXT decided to bestow us with three power-packed title matches over the last three weeks of their weekly Network show.
As a result, we’ve been intrigued enough to tune in and pay attention to the proceedings on the yellow brand, and their consequences heading into Takeover: Brooklyn. This week pitted The Authors of Pain against the beefy duo known as Heavy Machinery for the NXT Tag Team Championships.
Like in the two previous weeks, the titles did not change hands but enough happened to warrant a note in this recap piece. Read on and let us know what you think in the comments below.
#5 A heel vs. heel program?
The very sight of two gigantic teams like the despicable Authors of Pain and Heavy Machinery in the ring can guarantee nightmares for the weak of heart. You know what is an even scarier sight? The sight of a crazed bunch of anarchists symbolically eating pages from The Authors of Pain’s book of destruction.
It is clear that Alexander Wolfe and Killian Dain have their sights set on the gold held by the Authors of Pain and are on a collision course for Brooklyn. We wonder how the NXT Universe will react to a heel vs. heel confrontation. Whom will they root for, in this big match?
As for heavy machinery, they showed much promise and potential this week, and we are certain they will get a run with the title belt in the future.
#4 An official number 1 contender’s match, next week
We saw the familiar sight of Bobby Roode in William Regal’s office. As always, Roode wanted to weasel out of an opportunity to face a competitor at Brooklyn, but the NXT General Manager would hear nothing of it and made this match official for next week's NXT Show. The undefeated Killian Dain takes on the undefeated Drew McIntyre next week and the winner goes on to face the glorious Bobby Roode at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn.
This will be another clash of two big men, and we foresee McIntyre emerging victorious in this contest. Not only is this because, as we have outlined in the previous slide, Dain looks like he’ll be involved in a tag team battle at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn on Summerslam weekend this year. Not only is this because McIntyre is a babyface and the current NXT Champion, Bobby Roode is a cocky, arrogant heel.
It is because this will be a big ticket match and Brooklyn is the biggest show of the whole wear, at least for NXT.
#3 An unofficial number 1 contender's match as well?
We saw the confrontation last week, and this week the match was made official. Ember Moon faces Ruby Riot in singles competition next week and while it was not made official, the winner presumably goes on to face the undefeated Asuka at Takeover: Brooklyn.
Of course, this is a giant leap to a conclusion, but we believe that that’s how things will pan out. Additionally, we’ll be very surprised if it isn't Ember Moon who finally gets her much sought-after one-on-one title shot against Asuka.
#2 Kassius Ohno has had enough
Even good guys have limited patience, especially if beating up people is what they do for a living. When Hideo Itami accused Kassius Ohno of being the reason for their loss to SAnity last week when Itami would not tag Ohno in, even when he had the chance... Ohno lost his cool.
Itami has been behaving like a heel for a long time now, and it is likely that he will go full heel very soon. Both of these men are a rung below the ‘title match’ spot, and Brooklyn may be their chance to shine on a big stage. We look forward to these two men clashing, if WWE decides to go down that route, in the coming weeks.
#1 NXT is home to a brand new superstar
The demonic, stoic and meditative Aleister Black came out to face his opponent inside the ring, and when the ring announcer mentioned his opponent's name, all of the audience watching live reacted with utmost shock. Bobby Fish, a superstar best known for his performances in ROH, NJPW, Evolve and Pro Wrestling Noah came down to take on the enigmatic Black.
Though Black persevered in the encounter, Fish showed a lot of promise and went strike for strike in a realistic MMA-themed fight with the master of the Black Mass. With Kyle O’Reilly joining the NXT ranks (not on television yet), we wonder if they will team up to bolster the tag team division in the show. Having Mauro Ranallo on commentary added a distinctive flair to the battle, and made it the match of the night.
