NXT: 5 Points to note (16 August, 2017)

It is usually NXT which saves the week after underwhelming shows from Raw and SmackDown Live, especially when it's go-home time, before a big pay-per-view. Unfortunately, this week's episode of NXT was not nearly as good as the show usually is, and did not get us as pumped up about Takeover as it should have.

Only a few weeks removed from what should be a packed Takeover card, this was an ordinary show. We had a tough time identifying five salient points from this week's episode, to bring to you. However, it is a weekly tradition and one that must be followed, every single week.

Presenting five points to note from this week's NXT episode.

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#5 The beast keeps his promise to William Regal

Sullivan should play a major role after Takeover in Brooklyn

Lars Sullivan is a man who does not merely look like a future NXT Champion, but a future WWE Champion as well. He certainly has the look and the build, and his sneer can make children scurry for cover.

This week, he came to William Regal asking for a tag team match. William Regal reminded Sullivan about his track record of hurting his own tag team partners after they lost their matches on NXT TV.

Sullivan promised not to hurt his partners in the ring, even in case of a loss and was therefore paired with Chris Silvio, a man who thought he could take on the Street Profits by himself.

The Street Profits made short work of Chris Silvio. Sullivan wasn't even tagged into the match, when The Profits picked up their big win. Sullivan carried his already near-dead tag team partner to the back and beat him within an inch of his life. Therefore, he kept his promise to William Regal, at least in theory.

The Regal-Sullivan story is far from over and we are curious to see just where it heads from here. Will Sullivan find the perfect tag team partner?

#4 It's official

Could this match steal the show at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III, this weekend?

Asuka and Ember Moon are two women that the NXT universe has longed to see take each other to the limit! On SummerSlam weekend, they clash in their second ever encounter for the coveted NXT Women's Championship.

This week, we witnessed the official contract signing between the two babyfaces. The tension was palpable, as Ember Moon expressed how confident she was that she would triumph this time. Asuka retaliated as only she can, in her native Japanese language, but the meaning was clear to all.

This match has the potential to be the greatest women's wrestling match of all time, if done right. We know both women have the drive and certainly the capability, to achieve this. Will it be Ember Moon's crowning moment?

We cannot wait for this weekend to come around!

#3 More chaos in the women's division

There's plenty of tension even when the belt's not at stake!

It is simply amazing how much the Iconic Duo has grown over the months. They are much better inside the ring these days, and play their characters to perfection. Riot is the perfect protagonist to their villainous ways, an offbeat, athletic and captivating character.

Riot and Kay had an entertaining match, that speaks volumes about how much the women's division has grown from the time Bayley was called up, and there was no one but Asuka spearheading the division.

It is inevitable that we'll see a match between Peyton and Riot down the line, and we are sure the two women will deliver too! The division is in safe hands when Asuka gets called up.

#2 A hard hitting main-event

These two men have incredible chemistry together

Let's start off by saying that Mauro Ranallo's addition to the commentary booth makes every single main event feel like one. This week, we saw Roderick Strong take on Drew McIntyre, in a clash that was orchestrated by NXT Champion Bobby Roode, to eliminate two birds with one stone, on the road to Takeover.

Both of these men worked beautifully with one another, and it is interesting to note that even for a big man, McIntyre works like a much smaller man, allowing himself to be thrown and tossed around.

Both men were protected as a result of the screwy finish, at the tail end of the big match. Which brings us to the final point to note, from this encounter. The one where Bobby Roode antagonised two men, to varying degrees.

#1 Far from over

What's the next chapter in their story?

With the exception of the program between Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman, no feud has felt as personal as the one between Roderick Strong and Bobby Roode. While Strong is not in Roode's cross hairs for now, with Takeover in Brooklyn right around the corner, we know that these two men will clash again.

When and where? Only time will tell for sure! There are currently rumours that NXT may form a faction full of former ROH guys and Strong getting screwed over could lead to a big angle at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III.

That concludes our weekly five point recap article. Join us for live coverage of NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III this weekend as well as a 'Best and Worst' article following the said event. We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

See you soon, dearest NXT Universe!