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As we build towards SummerSlam, there is yet another event to look forward to on the very same weekend, a night before the biggest party of the summer. WWE NXT TakeOver: Toronto will come our way from the Scotiabank Arena and the way the card is shaping up, you cannot miss the event at all.
I would go so far as to say that you cannot even miss the build to the event, because it's been great. NXT may lack the firepower it did back when it had Finn Balor and Samoa Joe in the thick of things, but the action never lets up for a minute even now.
Here are 5 things that I found worth noting from this week's episode, for your reading pleasure. Let me know if you liked this week's show, in case you watched it yet.
Also which match do you think will steal the show at NXT TakeOver?
#5 Pete Dunne takes out both of his NXT TakeOver opponents
Pete Dunne and Roderick Strong have a certain chemistry in the ring that none can match. The two seem to know each other inside out, to a point where you know that every time they face off against each other, the match is guaranteed to be very solid. This week, the main event was just what you'd expect from two superstars of their caliber.
Pete Dunne and Roderick Strong told an incredible story, with Strong's arm going limp and Dunne working on his fingers to the point where Strong couldn't take the pain. And then The Velveteen Dream invaded the ring but also bore the brunt of Pete Dunne's assault.
Dunne is incredibly over with the WWE Universe and he seems primed and ready for a proper NXT run. Could he become the North American Champion?
#4 Shayna Baszler faced off against Mia Yim
Before anyone else does it, let me pitch a stable with Rowan and Shayna Baszler down the line. Clad in her Slayer shirt, she can be a worthy ally to Daniel Bryan's intellectual companion who dons a heavy metal shirt every single week. It was cool to see Killian Dain attack Matt Riddle in a Tool shirt too.
But then, attire aside, she had a pretty dud conversation with Mia Yim ahead of their TakeOver match. The usual insults were exchanged but the major takeaway was that Yim had taken out both of her Horsewomen friends, so she had nobody to watch her back. It will be a straight-up fight when the bell rings.
I wonder if it is time to crown a brand new champion because the division is not as exciting as it used to be. But is Yim ready for the title?
#3 Breezango reunites to the delight of NXT fans
After a main roster run that had more lows than highs, Tyler Breeze came to NXT and proved to the world that he deserves better than his booking in the WWE main roster. But even he was outmatched when three Forgotten sons took him on, following his win against Jaxson Ryker.
And then suddenly, we saw a familiar face return from injury, to offer support and solidarity to Breeze. This was Fandango, a man who's been Tyler Breeze's best friend in the main roster as part of Breezango, The Fashion Police.
It will be very interesting to see if Breezango can potentially take the tag team division by storm, if they do decide to stick around for a bit in developmental, for now. They were certainly over with the Full Sail crowd.
And then maybe, they can get over with the main roster audience too.
#2 Huge NXT TakeOver match confirmed
Shayna Baszler and Mia Yim faced off in the ring this week ahead of their match at TakeOver: Toronto. And yet, if you look at the comments online, it's yet another match that everyone seems to be talking about. Io Shirai and Candice LeRae will face off in a big grudge match.
Io Shirai went from lovable babyface to despicable heel not long ago, showing a surprising change in character. And in doing so, she turned on her former friend LeRae, kickstarting a serious feud amongst them. LeRae waited outside the arena for Shirai to arrive, so they could settle their feud with fists.
William Regal informed LeRae that Shirai would not be arriving but relented to making a match between the two women at TakeOver. Rest assured that both women want to steal the show and if given the opportunity, they definitely will.
#1 Exciting match confirmed for next week's episode
Matt Riddle was attacked by former SAnitY member Killian Dain not long ago, and needless to say, there's a lot of heat between the men. This will be resolved when the two men go head to head in a contest next week, on the go-home show before NXT TakeOver: Toronto.
This is a huge deal considering that Dain did not get to show us his abundance of skills on the main roster when SAnitY was called up. For some reason, the faction did not click with WWE officials and he was sent down for yet another run.
I have a feeling that Dain could be a very big deal as a singles superstar in the weeks that follow. He could definitely compete against The Velveteen Dream for the North American Championship or even Johnny Gargano if he does become Champion again.
But first, it's Riddle vs. Dain!
Thanks for reading. Here's a look at the incredible transformation of Io Shirai!
