5 surprises that could happen at NXT Takeover: Philadelphia

There's a distinct possibility that none of the scenarios we've mentioned will transpire when NXT Takeover: Philadelphia kicks off Royal Rumble weekend, in just a few days. There's also a slim possibility that some, if not all of these possibilities could indeed take place.

The whole purpose of this feature is to get you excited about NXT Takeover: Philadelphia. We don't really need to do much, considering that the build to the event has been quite exemplary indeed. Moreover, every Takeover invariably overshadows the WWE Big 4 pay-per-view, planned for the same weekend.

In any case, these are just some surprises that we could see take place in Philadelphia at Takeover. Each of them could blow the roof off the building and how!

NXT fans, we invite you to write down your thoughts in the section below.

---

#5 Candice LeRae evens the odds

Will Mrs Gargano take out Zelina Vega?

Everyone remembers their amazing clash from NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III, of course. Johnny Gargano took on Andrade 'Cien' Almas in the opening bout. He seemingly had the match won, when the interference happened. Zelina Vega threw a DIY shirt to Gargano, distracting him and costing him the match.

Fast forward to many months later, and Andrade 'Cien' Almas is the reigning NXT Champion. Johnny Gargano overcame all the odds to become the Number 1 Contender. These two warriors were destined to face off in the battlefield again.

This time, Gargano has a great equalizer to counter the distraction known as Zelina Vega. Only a few days ago, his own wife, Candice LeRae signed with WWE, after wooing us all at the Mae Young Classic.

This match would be a great way for her to make her debut, and connect with the WWE Universe, by nullifying Vega's underhanded and devious actions.

#4 EC3 appears at ringside?

Will Dixie Carter's nephew show up, sitting at ringside?

We recently informed you that EC3 had been pulled from an event, on the same day as the Royal Rumble. Subsequently, we published that he had been spotted at the Performance Center.

It seems like EC3's arrival in WWE is imminent. It's only a matter of time before the Impact Wrestling superstar makes his way to the company, and stakes his claim as a top performer. However, the Royal Rumble may not be the best place for him to make his debut, considering he's not as renowned a performer as AJ Styles.

For those of you who're unaware of the man and his work in Impact Wrestling, you may remember EC3 from his WWE run, when he was known as Derek Bateman. He had many memorable runs in Impact Wrestling, and was until quite recently, The Impact Grand Champion.

Will EC3 be spotted at ringside in NXT, arriving to fill up the void left open by Drew McIntyre's injury?

#3 War Machine take out The Authors of Pain

They're the only team that matches up in size

Another team that signed with WWE, at the same time as Candice LeRae are the ROH powerhouses known as War Machine. These towering hulks could be a welcome addition to the NXT Tag Team Division, in coming months.

How do they make their impact? The easiest thing for them to do would be to take out The Authors of Pain. The Authors are set to script a new chapter in their book of pain, as they challenge The Undisputed ERA for the NXT Tag Team Titles at NXT Takeover: Philadelphia.

This could help The Undisputed ERA retain their championships, without making the Authors of Pain take a pin and look weak. That seems like the correct thing to do at this point, because NXT should be built around The Undisputed ERA, in coming months.

Who wouldn't mind a Godzilla vs King Kong-ish brawl between War Machine and The Authors of Pain?

#2 Ricochet appears at ringside

The world's most exciting high-flyer is in the WWE

Much like AJ Styles, Ricochet was a superstar even before he stepped foot in WWE. The superstar can do things in the ring that defy the law of physics and gravity.

NXT may decide to showcase their newest recruit at NXT Takeover: Philadelphia, sitting at ringside. They've done so with superstars such as Bobby Roode and Drew McIntyre in the past, and the smarky crowd has, in turn, exploded with sheer glee. Is Ricochet next?

Ricochet may be just the shot in the arm that NXT needs, with the injury to Drew McIntyre. Let's just hope that he doesn't graduate from NXT, only to make it to 205 Live.

#1 The big return of Tommaso Ciampa

Ciampa could show up to spoil Gargano's party

They were everyone's favourite tag team- #DIY. And then, Ciampa turned on Gargano. When the audience least expected it, he attacked his best friend, going heel in the process. Unfortunately, an injury kept him from continuing this blood feud.

We have a feeling that Ciampa may just return on the biggest night of Gargano's life. In doing so, he may just cost Gargano his big shot at the NXT Championship. The two men could set up a huge match for WrestleMania weekend then.

So there you go folks. Do you think any of these possibilities will materialize?

Join us live, in just a few days, for live coverage of NXT Takeover: Philadelphia.

---

Send us news tips at [email protected]