What’s the story?
Following yet another incredible Takeover event in Orlando, preceding this year’s WrestleMania, NXT is set to bring its signature pay-per-view to Chicago before Smackdown’s Backlash in Chicago next month.
During today’s NXT tapings at Full Sail University, we now know what two of the marquee matchups are for what’s sure to be another amazing show.
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Background....
NXT Takeover: Orlando was a rare major NXT event where no titles changed hands. The NXT tag team champions, The Authors of Pain, held on to their titles in an absolutely breathtaking triple threat tag team elimination match (a match that, so far, is this reporter’s match of the year) against The Revival and DIY.
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NXT Women’s Champing Asuka successfully defended her her title – and her undefeated streak – against Ember Moon. Finally, NXT Champion Bobby Roode held off a tough Shinsuke Nakamura to retain his title.
Both The Revival and Nakamura would eventually head to the main roster following the event.
Also read: Triple H reveals details of NXT TakeOver: Chicago
The heart of the matter
With the next NXT show a month and two days away, it’s time to start scheduling some matches!
WWE confirmed two major ones already. The Authors of Pain will defend their titles once again against Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa in a ladder match. Secondly, Bobby Roode will seek to hold on to his NXT Championship against NXT’s other awesome Japanese import, the returning Hideo Itami.
Itami returned on the latest episode of NXT and confronted Roode, seemingly setting up the title match.
What’s next?
With four weeks still to go for the show, expect an announcement regarding the matches for the NXT Women’s Championship and other feuds. There’s still a number of high-profile NXT stars that have debuted (or re-debuted, in some cases) in the past month, so they’ll need to find some way to make room for them.
Author’s take
It wasn’t long ago that Triple H stated that he wasn’t happy with where NXT was at that point in time, but it’s clearly picking up speed. With the addition of Kassius Ohno, Alister Black, Drew McIntyre, and others, NXT’s future has never looked brighter.
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