Once again, NXT has proved that they are the real brand to support instead of Raw and Smackdown, as they outdid the main roster with a spectacular NXT Takeover. Sure, Survivor Series hasn’t even happened yet, but compared to recent main roster PPVs, Takeover Toronto was superior in all aspects.
Even though they are described as ‘developmental’, NXT once again showcased their ability to produce wonderful Takeover events, and Survivor Series has a very difficult job on their hands as they attempt to outdo the spectacular showing from NXT.
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So, what made it so special, and what did we learn from the event? Let’s see, as here are 5 things we learned from NXT Takeover Toronto.
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#5 Tye Dillinger still can’t win the big one
With ’10’ chants ringing through the arena in Toronto, the ‘Perfect 10’ Tye Dillinger was still defeated by Bobby Roode in the opening match of the night, despite the incredible fan support. Much like Dolph Ziggler and Sami Zayn before him, WWE, and in this case NXT, don’t seem to know what to do with Dillinger.
He has a huge amount of fan support and is extremely talented in the ring, but he is the classic underdog character. Losing to Andrade Cien Almas and now Bobby Roode at two successive Takeovers, Dillinger is so good that he appears to have been taken for granted by NXT management.
Similar to Dolph Ziggler, he is there to put over the bigger stars due to his incredible ability to do so, but he is never booked to win himself. Hopefully, by the time the next Takeover rolls around (Royal Rumble weekend, most likely), Dillinger’s rise to the top of NXT, where he belongs, can finally begin.
If booked right, the Perfect 10’s rise to the top could be as heart-warming as Bayley or Sami Zayn’s. All NXT management have to do is get it started. Overall, despite losing to Roode, Dillinger earned a standing ovation from the Toronto crowd, and he wrestled a splendid opener with the glorious Roode.
Let’s just hope he begins to rise to the top of NXT starting at the next Takeover.
#4 Mickie James has ‘still got it’
Although not as concerning as Goldberg, the in-ring ability of Mickie James was in some doubt heading into her bout with Asuka. Would she have slowed down at all with age? Had she lost what had given her six Women’s title reigns?
The answer to these questions was a definitive no. Proving why she was considered one of the best women wrestlers of the 2000s alongside Trish Stratus, Lita etc., James showed no signs of lost ability in the squared circle.
Working well with Asuka, James earned the fans’ respect as she proved that she indeed has ‘still got it’, which Toronto’s crowd deservedly chanted about her. Although she didn’t win, Mickie left a lasting impression on the NXT Takeover crowd and the WWE Universe.
Hopefully, this isn’t the last we see of James, as it would be a pleasure to see her compete against current main roster talents such as Sasha Banks, Charlotte or Becky Lynch. Considering how good she looked in the ring, she could even be an integral part of the current women’s revolution in WWE if she returned full-time.
#3 The Revival could be moving to the main roster
Whether you’re a fan of Dash and Dawson or not, there is no denying their ability to steal the show with babyface teams. Wrestling brilliant matches with American Alpha, Enzo and Cass, and now DIY, the Revival have established themselves as one of the best tag teams in the entire company.
Although they are due a rematch for the NXT tag titles after losing the championships in Toronto, the Authors of Pain have also emerged as challengers to DIY, and the Revival might just move to the main roster now.
Given that they have already had two reigns with the NXT tag championships, there isn’t much left for the duo in NXT. Raw or Smackdown Live may be the next step for Dash and Dawson. Personally, I would love to see the team on Smackdown Live, as a lack of credible heels (besides the Usos) has left the division with lesser depth than desired.
If the Revival were to be introduced on the blue brand, they could immediately mix it up with Heath Slater and Rhyno, American Alpha, or the Hype Bros. Although a rematch against DIY in NXT would be commendable given their incredible match in Toronto, it may just be time to promote the ‘Top Guys’ to the main roster.
Whether it is Raw or Smackdown Live, the Revival should be on main roster television sooner rather than later.
#2 Samoa Joe isn’t moving to the main roster (yet)
When Shinsuke Nakamura captured the NXT championship at Takeover: Brooklyn II in August, fans presumed that it was the beginning of the end for Samoa Joe’s time in NXT. Even with a splendid build to their match at Toronto that made Joe look unstoppable, fans still kept the same mindset about the Samoan Submission Specialist.
Therefore, it was incredibly shocking when Joe captured the NXT championship for a second time at Takeover Toronto, becoming the first ever two-time NXT Champion. Although it enhanced the event itself by providing fans with a shocking finish, all hopes of Joe moving up to the main roster were dashed in the process.
The dream feud with Lesnar that would be set up at Survivor Series was gone, and although it is still going to be wonderful to see another Nakamura/Joe Takeover match, it’s a shame that Joe is still in the developmental brand for the time being.
Much like the Revival, Joe would fit perfectly on either brand of the main roster. On Smackdown Live, he could dominate as the top heel or babyface, challenging for the WWE World Championship sooner rather than later.
On Raw, he could battle with dream opponents like Roman Reigns or Seth Rollins, or most tantalisingly, Brock Lesnar. Sure, these scenarios could still occur once he is called up in 2017, but it would’ve been a fresh change of scenery for WWE fans to see the Samoan on the main roster as 2016 comes to a close.
#1 NXT tag team wrestling is sensational
If you were to tell a WWE fan at the beginning of the year that a tag team match would be a match of the year contender, they would laugh at you. Considering the mediocrity of how WWE handle their main roster tag division, it is incredible that NXT have completely revolutionised the division this year.
Resorting back to original teams rather than throwaway duos, NXT’s tag teams feel like they are, well, a team! Even the main roster’s most successful tag team, the New Day, were a quickly thrown together trio rather than an organically formed team.
For duos such as the Revival, American Alpha, Enzo/Cass and DIY, their pairings feel extremely natural, and this leads to some instant chemistry as partners.
At Toronto, the teams of the Revival and DIY tore the house down, stealing the show and involving themselves in talks of match of the year, despite tag team matches in WWE usually getting little attention.
Sure, the two out of three falls stipulation helped, but considering the superstars they had to compete with (Nakamura, Joe, Roode, Dillinger), the two teams did a tremendous job in wrestling another classic NXT tag team match.
With a number of incredible NXT tag matches taking place throughout 2016, NXT deserves to be commended for the spectacular management of their tag team division. It continues to outshine both tag team divisions on the main roster.
Let us hope that there is more fantastic tag team wrestling to come from NXT!
Thanks for reading, what are your thoughts on these five things? Let us know in the comments!
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