NotoriousWWE
Pre-Show Stalwart
I just finished watching last nights Takeover and going in to it I was worried by its lack of star power and intrigue but boy did it impress me. The tag team match was brilliant, Aries/Nakamura delivered and that Cage match told a magnificent story. Billed as the End of the Beginning, I think it's clear that due to the main roster Draft expansion we're going to be seeing a lot of guys called up. So I'm going to try and book the next event going by who I think will be on the roster.
NXT World Title: Samoa Joe (c) vs Shinsuke Namamura
Although they never said Austin Aries vs Nakamura was a no.1 contenders match, I am leaning towards that was what they were going for. Pre match promos had both guys talk about how they deserved a shot at the title which I actually thought was a little premature but I really don't see Nakamura lasting long on NXT. I think they see top dollar in Nakamura and I think by mid 2017 we will see him on the main roster. Joe's outing with Balor was brilliant, particularly the muscle buster off the second rope. I think Joe will find a way to cheat to win against Nakamura to continue a feud that will last through the end of 2016 and I think they'll bring in a few others into the mix.
NXT Tag Team Championships: The Revival (c) vs Tommaso Ciampa and Jonny Gargano
This stems back to an episode of NXT where The Revival attacked the duo after losing to them. I think American Alpha will go to the main roster, prematurely I might add, by this point. I see The Revival retaining but last night we saw the Authors of Pain with Paul Ellering (that pairing, wtf!) by attacking Alpha so look for them to make an impact and maybe cost Ciampa and Gargano the match. One thing for sure is that NXT definitely needs more tag teams now.
NXT Women's Championship: Asuka (c) vs Alexa Bliss vs Nia Jax vs Bayley
This was hard to predict but I see Bayley doing a double shift and performing on both the main and NXT roster similar to Sami Zayn until this event when she waves an emotional goodbye. I can see them going with Carmella rather than Bliss, but I think Bliss is so much more talented and I would actually have her be the next champion, I rate her extremely highly. She's like a young Trish Stratus, the way she carried Blake and Murphy with her mic skills was super impressive. Anyway, obviously Asuka retains but will eventually drop the title.
Austin Aries vs Andrade Cien Almas
So I don't follow Lucha wrestling but apparently Andrade is a stud. I'll wait and see. His outing with Tye Dillinger didn't really do anything for me, his finisher looks unimpactful to say the least. Aries needs another win, I think we will see him turn heel and although I would really love to see a TNA stable in NXT with Aries, Joe, Roode and Young, I think keeping them separate is the way to go.
Bobby Roode vs Tye Dillinger
Dillinger is perfect for any new superstar debuting and I think this would be a perfect match to kick off Takeover. Perhaps we see Roode similar to Owens begin the night as a face, come out during the main event and assist Joe for the win. Either way Roode should be pushed immediately because the NXT roster is really losing its top dogs now. I can see guys like Moose and Young also getting pushed if signed but Roode if face, behind Nakamura should be one of the faces of NXT.
NXT World Title: Samoa Joe (c) vs Shinsuke Namamura
Although they never said Austin Aries vs Nakamura was a no.1 contenders match, I am leaning towards that was what they were going for. Pre match promos had both guys talk about how they deserved a shot at the title which I actually thought was a little premature but I really don't see Nakamura lasting long on NXT. I think they see top dollar in Nakamura and I think by mid 2017 we will see him on the main roster. Joe's outing with Balor was brilliant, particularly the muscle buster off the second rope. I think Joe will find a way to cheat to win against Nakamura to continue a feud that will last through the end of 2016 and I think they'll bring in a few others into the mix.
NXT Tag Team Championships: The Revival (c) vs Tommaso Ciampa and Jonny Gargano
This stems back to an episode of NXT where The Revival attacked the duo after losing to them. I think American Alpha will go to the main roster, prematurely I might add, by this point. I see The Revival retaining but last night we saw the Authors of Pain with Paul Ellering (that pairing, wtf!) by attacking Alpha so look for them to make an impact and maybe cost Ciampa and Gargano the match. One thing for sure is that NXT definitely needs more tag teams now.
NXT Women's Championship: Asuka (c) vs Alexa Bliss vs Nia Jax vs Bayley
This was hard to predict but I see Bayley doing a double shift and performing on both the main and NXT roster similar to Sami Zayn until this event when she waves an emotional goodbye. I can see them going with Carmella rather than Bliss, but I think Bliss is so much more talented and I would actually have her be the next champion, I rate her extremely highly. She's like a young Trish Stratus, the way she carried Blake and Murphy with her mic skills was super impressive. Anyway, obviously Asuka retains but will eventually drop the title.
Austin Aries vs Andrade Cien Almas
So I don't follow Lucha wrestling but apparently Andrade is a stud. I'll wait and see. His outing with Tye Dillinger didn't really do anything for me, his finisher looks unimpactful to say the least. Aries needs another win, I think we will see him turn heel and although I would really love to see a TNA stable in NXT with Aries, Joe, Roode and Young, I think keeping them separate is the way to go.
Bobby Roode vs Tye Dillinger
Dillinger is perfect for any new superstar debuting and I think this would be a perfect match to kick off Takeover. Perhaps we see Roode similar to Owens begin the night as a face, come out during the main event and assist Joe for the win. Either way Roode should be pushed immediately because the NXT roster is really losing its top dogs now. I can see guys like Moose and Young also getting pushed if signed but Roode if face, behind Nakamura should be one of the faces of NXT.