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Go-home shows are never necessarily the best WWE episodes. It is an appetizer before the main course and dessert come along at the pay-per-view or the Network Special. NXT's go-home show had its moments, much like RAW and SmackDown Live did as well. However, it wasn't at the level at which NXT usually operates!
In this article, we will list out 5 points to note from this episode. We invite you to leave your comments in the section below. What did you think of this episode?
Moreover, let us know if you're excited about TakeOver. What's your favourite match on the card?
And now, without further ado, here are 5 points that we thought we should share with you...
#5 No winner in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic
The Authors of Pain have really stepped it up as in-ring performers. Even though Roderick Strong and Pete Dunne are a makeshift team, it does not take away from the fact that they are still two of the best wrestlers in the whole world. The finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic started off on a great note. The match was nail-biting indeed.
Of course, The Undisputed ERA would come out to spoil the party. The match was ruled a no-contest, after what was a thrilling few minutes. It seemed like there would be no winner of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament this year.
At this point, NXT GM William Regal would stride forth and address the situation that had unfolded before the NXT Universe. And the card for New Orleans would change very significantly indeed, only days before the grand event.
#4 A new match and an injury
This must be said about William Regal, the General Manager of NXT. Instead of the pointless, meandering promos that other General Managers cut, Regal's promos are curt, to the point and certainly effective. When his music hits, you know that he won't waste any time. He will make an announcement and step back through the curtains.
This was the entirety of the announcement he made this week on NXT. The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Winners and new NXT Tag Team Champions would be determined in a Triple Threat match that would pit Pete Dunne & Roderick Strong, The Undisputed ERA and of course, the dominant Authors of Pain at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. The stakes had just been raised significantly.
However, the question does remain - will Adam Cole perform double duty at TakeOver considering he's in the North American Championship match too? We do not have much longer to find out how the evening will unfold in New Orleans.
#3 King Kong vs. Godzilla
Two brutes faced off in the main event of NXT this week. Killian Dain and Lars Sullivan engaged in a clash that shook NXT's foundation to the core. Both men will be part of the highly-anticipated first-ever NXT North American Championship match at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. And we had a preview of the match, during this colossal contest.
While this was another no contest, all 6 men involved in Saturday's match faced off in the middle of the ring. Imagine just how explosive the match will be, when these men battle each other for NXT's big new prize!
#2 An elbow to the heart
When you first look at Kairi Sane, the first word that comes to mind is 'cute'. And when you see her compete, the first word you think of is 'deadly'. There are few in the Women's Division who can fit this description. Kairi Sane is certainly an anomaly.
Vanessa Borne was definitely not in Kairi's league, both as a character on screen and in terms of in-ring work. She fell to Kairi Sane's 'InSane Elbow'. Sane stood tall and proud, after the match was finally done.
Does anyone deliver a better spear than she does? Somehow, it looks even more devastating than Roman Reigns' move!
#1 Huge match next week
It is clear that NXT sees a lot of value in Lacey Evans. The First Lady of NXT addressed 'the media' this week, and spoke down about all her peers. One of the names she mentioned was Kairi Sane. The others were Ember Moon, Nikki Cross and Dakota Kai.
Kairi Sane and Lacey Evans will face off next week on NXT. We suppose the action will come to us from New Orleans. This is a tough one to call, honestly.
We can imagine that whoever wins this match will be in the conversation for the NXT Women's Championship. This will be a contest with immense NXT TakeOver implications.
Join us this Saturday evening for live coverage of NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, as well as a 'Best and Worst' list.
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