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We are all set to kickstart the SummerSlam 2020 weekend with an action-packed NXT TakeOver: XXX event. Given the show’s history, the Black and Gold brand is expected to deliver yet another engaging show with brutal action and incredible storytelling. Not just the title matches, but also the grudge matches are expected to be huge in terms of determining the future storylines in NXT.
Tonight, we will see both the NXT Championship as well as the NXT Women’s Championship being defended at the show. There will be a Ladder Match to determine the new North American Champion. The NXT Tag Team titles, however, won’t be on the line, but there will be a triple-threat to select the next challengers for the tag team gold.
In addition, Adam Cole is set to square off against Pat McAfee to settle the short yet intense feud between them. And, Finn Balor will lock horns with Timothy Thatcher in a Single’s Match. A few surprise returns are also on the card, but the backstage rumours regarding those haven’t been confirmed as of now.
Overall, a lot can unfold on tonight’s NXT TakeOver: XXX event. In this article, we will take a look at what’s in store for us. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
#6 Finn Balor to face Timothy Thatcher at NXT TakeOver
While the feud between Finn Balor and Timothy Thatcher did not have a long build-up, they have been involved in intense altercations in the weeks leading up to the event. Both Balor and Thatcher were part of one of the triple-threat qualifier matches for the North Merican Championship Ladder Match. This bout was eventually won by Dexter Lumis, following which Balor went on to attack Thatcher.
A few weeks later, Balor had a shot at qualifying for the Ladder Match once again when he faced Velveteen Dream in a Single’s Match. Unfortunately for him, all the other confirmed participants for the Ladder Match interfered, and lastly, Thatcher attacked Balor out of the blue. This resulted in Dream picking up a victory and advancing to the title match.
After the show went off the air, NXT confirmed that Finn Balor would face Timothy Thatcher in a Single’s bout at TakeOver. If he manages to pick a victory tonight, Balor will become the first person in WWE history to earn 12 victories at the NXT-exclusive event. He set the record for most TakeOver wins (11) at NXT TakeOver: In Your House back in June.
That being said, it won’t be an easy job for Finn Balor to pick a win over Timothy Thatcher. The latter has been quite brutal in his recent run on the Black and Gold brand and could ruin Balor’s intention of extending his record tonight. They are expected to engage in a highly physical battle, and it will be interesting to see who will emerge victorious in the match between these two NXT Superstars.
#5 Keith Lee set to defend his NXT Championship against Karrion Kross
Karrion Kross has had his eyes set on the NXT Championship ever since Keith Lee won the title after defeating Adam Cole in a Winner Takes All match. Kross, along with Scarlett, ran rampage on NXT before Lee finally diverted his attention to the emerging star. A frustrated Lee called out Kross was his little games and convinced William Regal to book a title match between both the NXT Superstars.
After Kross signed the contract, Scarlett kissed the file before handing it over to Lee. Little did the latter know what was in store for him. As soon as he opened the file, Lee was attacked with a ball of fire that reportedly caused slight damage to his vision. The following week, Lee returned on NXT and revealed that he will still be defending his title at TakeOver, and this time he has all the more reason to silence Kross once and for all.
Both Lee and Kross are expected to deliver a good match tonight. Given that Kross will Scarlett by his side, it is highly possible that we will see Mia Yim join Keith Lee on the ringside. Moreover, we can also see former NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa make his return and demand a shot at his goldie. He could even interfere in this bout but most probably, he will wait until the final bell.
#4 NXT Superstar Adam Cole gets his revenge against Pat McAfee
Adam Cole’s infamous altercation with Pat McAfee kickstarted when the latter said that the former NXT Champion is ‘smaller than the conventional WWE Superstars’. Cole took offense to this comment and teased a feud with McAfee by shoving one of the producers working for the latter’s radio show.
Following that, Triple H offered an opportunity for McAfee to clear things with Adam Cole but he continued to mock the leader of the Undisputed Era for his size. This again led to an altercation between the two and McAfee got the upper hand by punting Cole. Soon after that, WWE confirmed a match between them for the TakeOver event.
In the last episode of NXT, we saw Pat McAfee cut an impressive promo as he called out Adam Cole for always relying on his UE friends to ensure a victory. He also said that two weeks is enough for him to belittle the ‘greatest NXT Champion in history’. Their match tonight is expected to end with Cole picking a victory but it will be interesting to see how McAfee will perform inside the ring.
#3 Dakota Kai challenges Io Shirai for the NXT Women’s Championship
Io Shirai won the NXT Women’s Championship match back in June after she defeated Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley in a triple-threat match at NXT TakeOver: In Your House. Her upcoming challenger is Dakota Kai and the latter looks determined to win the NXT Women’s Championship for the first time in her career.
Dakota Kai defeated Rhea Ripley in the match to determine the no. 1 contender for Io Shirai’s gold after interference from The Robert Stone Brand's Mercedes Martinez. Following that, she attacked Io Shirai after the latter had successfully defended her title against NXT Superstar Tegan Nox. Both Kai and Shirai have engaged in a few altercations since then and are looking forward to their upcoming title bout.
While Io Shirai is still expected to retain her title, Kai will have a huge advantage as her friend Raquel Gonzalez is expected to be on the ringside. Gonzalez has often made crucial interferences to help Kai and the latter is highly reliant on her to do the heavy lifting. Hence, it wouldn’t be fair to rule out the possibility of Kai finally becoming a champion tonight, especially after the commendable run she has had on NXT ever since she turned heel earlier this year.
#2 5-man Ladder Match to crown the next NXT North American Champion
After Keith Lee got his hands on the NXT Championship, he gave up his North American Championship in order to ensure that there’s more competition on the Black and Gold brand. Now. There’s going to be a 5-man Ladder Match to determine the new title-holder tonight at TakeOver: XXX.
Bronson Reed was the first Superstar to qualify for this match after defeating Johnny Gargano and Roderick Strong. Following that, Dexter Lumis booked a spot for himself in the Ladder Match after defeating Finn Balor and Timothy Thatcher. However, he suffered from an ankle injury and is now ruled out of action. Damien Priest then defeated Oney Lorcan and Ridge Holland to become the next participant. And the last triple-threat qualifier match saw Cameron Grimes defeat Velveteen Dream and Kushida to enter the title bout.
Since Lumis could no longer participate in the match, two Single’s Matches were announced to determine the final two participants for the Ladder Match. Finally, Velveteen Dream and Johnny Gargano defeated Finn Balor and Ridge Holland respectively to earn themselves a shot at becoming the North American Champion. This match looks very promising and is about to account for an entertaining encounter tonight at NXT TakeOver: XXX.
#1 Triple-threat Tag Team match to determine the No. 1 contenders for the NXT Tag Team Titles
Surprisingly, one of the last matches to be added to the NXT TakeOver: XXX card was this one. Instead of seeing the NXT Tag Team Titles on the line, we will see Breezango (Fandango and Tyler Breeze) vs. Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch vs. Legado del Fantasma square off in a triple-threat match to determine the new No.1 contenders for the tag team titles of the Black and Gold brand.
While Breezango have been quite compelling ever since their return, Legado del Fantasma have also been good, especially in their run as the heels. It is expected that either of these two teams will win a shot to challenge the Imperium for the tag team gold. It will be interesting to see who will walk out of tonight’s event with a huge opportunity in hand.
Overall, NXT TakeOver: XXX has an action-packed show lined up for the fans, and as usual, the Black and Gold brand is expected to deliver a good show tonight. Between the title changing hands and the grudges being settled, there’s a lot at stake. Not to forget, there could be a few unexpected surprises, but given the caliber of the names included in the match card, it would be criminal to miss the show.
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