As the main roster prepares for Wrestlemania, NXT prepares for their own version of the event- NXT Takeover: Orlando. While the event in itself will be dwarfed in magnitude when compared to the spectacle that is Wrestlemania, as we've seen time and again, NXT Takeovers are qualitatively always better than their main roster counterparts.
Today, more pieces fell in place in the lead up to Orlando, and while the episode in itself wasn't extraordinary, we believe it is the calm before the storm that will ensue at Takeover and beyond. Let’s analyse 5 components that transpired this week and their effect on the larger picture.
#5 Huge match announced for NXT Takeover: Orlando
At the outset, let us all give Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas a rousing ovation for his match against Oney Lorcan this week. They have faced one another, multiple times before this, and the matches have always been on point. This week was probably the best match the two have had, as the NXT Universe chanted ‘This is awesome!’
However, this match was just the prelude to a much bigger announcement.
Tommy End, better known as Aleister Black will make his NXT debut at Takeover: Orlando and take on the charismatic Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas, who seems to have found his footing as a heel. If you remember, Shinsuke Nakamura had made his debut at the Takeover on Wrestlemania weekend and went on to carry the brand to greater heights through 2016.
Will Aleister Black be the next face (or as it seems from the promos, the heel) to take the brand to new heights? Only time will tell.
#4 Head or fate?
The Empress of Tomorrow and the woman destined to break Goldberg’s streak for the longest duration without a defeat since her debut, Asuka is set to face Ember Moon at NXT Takeover: Orlando. This week, she took on a jobber known as Priscilla Zuniga and made short work of her.
So much so, that Asuka played around with her even though she could have scored a win much before she actually did.
Here’s the main point to note from this match. Asuka started with an ominous warning for Ember Moon, that sounded like ‘This is your fate’ to Tom Phillips and ‘This is your head’ to Nigel McGuinness before she delivered a devastating roundhouse kick to Priscilla Zuniga.
The scary bit here is that both possibilities make sense. We know that wrestling is predetermined but just be careful, Ember Moon!
#3 A call-up to the main roster soon?
Last week, we saw a battle between NXT Champion The Glorious ‘Bobby Roode’ and the returning Kassius Ohno. Bobby Roode won the match but only just by a whisker! As Kassius Ohno was being interviewed about the match, he was interrupted by the guitar-wielding Drifter Elias Samson, who was challenged by Kassius Ohno to a 'loser leaves NXT’ match.
There is no way Ohno is losing to someone so far down the ladder as Elias Samson. Does this mean that Samson makes his main roster debut after WrestleMania 33 then? If our speculation is indeed true, we just hope it is on Raw, not SmackDown, just so we can hear Corey Graves’ reaction!
#2 Ruby Riot makes her NXT debut
It's not been a good week for women named Nikki in the WWE. From having Tyler Breeze dress up as ‘Breezy Bella’ to Nikki Cross finally meeting her match inside the squared circle.
Every week it has been the same story.
Any babyface group that gains the advantage on SAnitY is attacked by Nikki Cross and the babyfaces are helpless as they will never hit women. This week, a mysterious woman came to the aid of the babyfaces and her identity was not revealed even as NXT went off the air. This was indie Superstar Heidi Lovelace, whose new WWE moniker is Ruby Riot.
She’s previously been part of promotions such as Shimmer and even OVW.
#1 There's loads of action, even before Takeover: Orlando
We’re certain that many names will be called up in the Raw and SmackDown after Wrestlemania. As a result, NXT will introduce the next generation of talent next week, in addition to creating excitement for Takeover with exciting contests.
So while one member from each of the tag teams competing at NXT Takeover: Orlando will compete in singles action, Heavy Machinery (a team we only saw a glimpse of during the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic), will make their official NXT debut, next week. We presume the ‘Loser Leaves NXT’ contest also happens then.
Cannot wait to tune in and watch the show!
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