WWE NXT TakeOver: XXX - 6 things we learned from the event

NXT TakeOver: XXX is in the books and it did not disappoint. From the intense NXT North American Championship Ladder Match to the fantastic match between Karrion Kross and Keith Lee, every performer on the card stepped up.

New challengers emerged and feuds were continued. As has often been the case, TakeOver set a high bar for the main-roster WWE PPV once again. Every NXT wrestler reminded the world why it is one of professional wrestling's preeminent brands.

Two big questions comes to mind immediately following the show. How serious is the injury to Karrion Kross? It would be an incredible disappointment for both he and his fans if he is forced to relinquish his newly-won Championship because of injury. Finn Balor knows something about that.

The other question on everyone's minds is how Adam Cole fits into the title picture?

TakeOver: XXX had some interesting moments. Here are six things we learned from the event.

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#6 Rhea Ripley is likely one of the next challengers for Io Shirai

Shirai needs eyes in the back of her head

After defeating her latest challenger, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez cut Io Shirai's celebration short. Before Kai and Gonzalez could inflict too much damage, Rhea Ripley came out to even the odds. It was refreshing to see the Nightmare actually rush to the ring rather then enter, pose, stomp the ground and then make the save after 10 seconds. When Charlotte Flair attacked Bianca Belair on the Road to WrestleMania, that's exactly what Ripley did.

By evening the odds, so to speak, Ripley's appearance accomplished two things. The first is that it set up an upcoming match between herself and Gonzalez. The two stared each other down before Kai urged Gonzalez to leave. Kai and Gonzalez cost Ripley the title shot at NXT TakeOver: XXX so that feud is continuing.

The second thing her appearance set up was another match between the Nightmare and the Genius of the Sky. When it will happen is anyone's guess, but it certainly seems like a match for the next TakeOver show. Can the NXT bookers wait that long?

#5 Punters are real athletes

McAfee showed off some impressive athleticism.

Professional wrestling, WWE and NXT are places where almost any type of athlete can become a star. One of the running jokes in the NFL is about kickers and punters and their status in the league. Since they are only on the field for minutes at a time during a game, a lot of fellow players, analysts and fans don't think of kickers and punters as great athletes.

Anyone that has tried to kick an NFL field goal knows that it is much harder than it looks. Even punting, something that seems like it could be easy, is an intricate skill all its own.

So when Pat McAfee joined the WWE family, we knew that he'd fit in due to his brash personality. His outspoken nature is reminiscent of an arrogant heel and it's the role he played brilliantly during his NXT feud with Adam Cole.

In his first match in WWE and NXT, McAfee showcased his athleticism. While a lot of American football fans would be surprised to see a kicker jump all around the ring, McAfee and NXT/WWE brass had faith that he could pull off a passable wrestling match.

Compared to recent athletes from other sports having matches in WWE, like Tyson Fury, McAfee's debut was better than that of boxer. McAfee pulled off a flip off of the top rope and dove to the outside into a mob of people. While we're not sure that just every NFL kicker or punter could do the same, the former Indianapolis Colt at least proved that not everything we thought about the special teams in the NFL is true.

#4 Damian Priest makes his first stop on the road to live forever

The Archer of Infamy

Damian Priest has a unique blend of speed, strength and size but was someone that was never pushed above the mid-card. He may not have been with the company for 7-10 years, but he was someone that clearly had all the skills necessary to be a top star in wrestling.

When he joined NXT, it was as an arrogant big man that liked the finer things in life and who liked to party. As a heel in NXT, he challenged Keith Lee a few times when Lee was NXT North American Champion. He was unsuccessful in each attempt and was turned face earlier this year.

During the pandemic shows of NXT, Priest has been one of the stars to rise to the top. Some performers feed off of the crowd and are a little lost when the audience isn't responding. Priest has proven that he doesn't need a crowd to get over.

When the field was set for the NXT North American Championship Ladder Match, it was a blend of former Champs and performers who hadn't been title holders in NXT. Johnny Gargano and Velveteen Dream had already held the North American title, while Cameron Grimes, Priest and Bronson Reed received their first shot at title glory. Everyone except Reed had been in title matches before, but only Gargano and Dream had won titles in NXT.

Now that Priest has etched his name in the record books, how will he fare? Is he in for an ascension to the top of NXT like Lee was? Or will he remain a mid-card fixture until he joins RAW or SmackDown? Whatever direction he takes, he has at least begun his journey to live forever in WWE.

#3 Get ready for returns

NXT UK is coming back soon!

During the broadcast for NXT TakeOver: XXX, two big returns were advertised. One was of a brand while the other was of one of the most notorious stars in NXT history.

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began, operations have ceased for NXT UK. TakeOver: Dublin was set to take place towards the end of April and it appeared that Finn Balor was going to challenge WALTER for the NXT UK Championship. It would have marked an occasion where arguably the most popular WWE star from the UK or Ireland would be featured on one of its (NXT UK) cards. But due to restrictions brought on by the pandemic, the PPV was rescheduled for October 25th of this year.

With the return of the brand will also come a slightly-altered roster as some stars have been released over the last few months. It is coming back but will NXT UK pick up where it left off before the pandemic or will it take some time to ease back into things?

The second big return is one that is happening a lot sooner. During one of the ad breaks was a promo pushing former NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa's return. His past in the brand and his many clashes with Johnny Gargano were highlighted. How will Ciampa fit into this new NXT and which title will he pursue? We'll only have to wait a few days to find out.

#2 Main-event heels CAN win without outside interference

The new NXT Champion

New NXT Champion Karrion Kross, who was previously with IMPACT Wrestling, started his stint in that company with a bang and was a featured performer of theirs until he was at an impasse with the promotion. He was forced to sit out for an extended period and was released late last year.

He made a few appearances on the independent scene before officially signing with WWE and NXT. His name may have changed but he was paired with his real-life girlfriend, Scarlett. While she hasn't wrestled yet, she adds an incredible amount of gravitas to the act.

When Kross has wrestled in NXT, he's been an intimidating and ruthless heel. One thing that WWE and NXT have traditionally used for its major heels is cheating to win. Ciampa did so when he beat Aleister Black for the NXT title and Gargano cheats all the time now that he's a bad guy. Cheating to win has also been a staple of the Undisputed Era.

So as Kross pinned Lee and won the NXT title, it was refreshing that he did so without any outside interference. Scarlett was present at ringside throughout the match but did not interject herself. Interfering and cheating to win has been a trope WWE has gone to the well with over and over again. It's even responsible for most of Bayley and Sasha Banks' reigns as Champions.

Having Kross just physically match and eventually overcome Lee sets him up wonderfully as the next big thing in NXT. A lot of us already knew that he was a big deal and his first-ever NXT ring entrance proved that.

Now he has the title to back it up. How long he holds it, however, is up for debate due to the severity of his shoulder injury. Whatever happens, it was refreshing to see a heel win without cheating or using outside help.

#1 Quick hits

NXT fans have a lot to unpack after TakeOver: XXX.

While the main talking points coming out of TakeOver: XXX will likely be Karrion Kross, Adam Cole and Pat McAfee, Damian Priest winning the NXT North American title and Shirai/Ripley, they weren't the only notable things to happen.

One match that culminated on the go-home episode of NXT was Finn Balor vs. Timothy Thatcher. The two were in the same triple threat match to qualify for the ladder match at TakeOver. They've been circling each other in NXT ever since that contest and an official showdown was confirmed after Thatcher attacked Balor last Wednesday. The first Universal Champion won the match, leaving us to think about what his next move will be.

The triple threat contest to determine the next challengers for NXT Tag Team Champions Imperium, was also one of the night's first matches. Fighting it out for the honor were Breezango, Legado del Fantasma (Joaquin Wilde/Raul Mendoza) and Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch. Breezango was victorious and they get another crack at Imperium. Can they make good on another title shot and will their entrance top the last one?

In two random observations, Bronson Reed was dressed like Bam Bam Bigelow. All across his singlet were flames that reminded us of the bald legend's head and outfit. Another strange yet amusing moment was when McKenzie Mitchell attempted to interview Priest following his title win. He told her she could celebrate with him but she'd have to get wet to do so.

As he walked past his Hummer, two women were shown in a random hot tub in the parking lot. Does Priest have these hot tubs out there all the time? When NXT is back on the road, does he bring them with him to each city?