WILW: NXT Takeover Orlando
It’s Wrestlemania weekend which means a ton of great wrestling events. The one that gets the most hype from me though is, as usual, Takeover. This edition of Takeover could very well be the last show for a few superstars before their main roster call up. We also get the debut of a guy who has huge potential and may well be the next big thing. Who will win, who will lose? Read on to find out.
This four on four match sees the possible swan song for Tye Dillinger, the debut of Ruby Riot, and probably the dominance of Sanity. No Way Jose is a lot of fun and should have a good showing in this match but probably isn’t destined for huge things outside of NXT. Roderick Strong is still relatively new to WWE and could have a real breakout moment here. The guy is super talented and only needs a good angle to get everyone on the hype train. Tye has nothing left to prove in NXT which is why I’m hoping this match is it for him. He needs to be on Smackdown facing the Miz like yesterday. I don’t know a ton about Ruby but she looks good in what I’ve seen. Sanity on the other hand are ready for big things now. Eric Young and crew have the potential to be huge on the main roster. I don’t expect them to be in NXT long. This match will most likely be a shit show with Sanity getting the win.
This guy right here, the former Tommy End, is going to be the next big thing. He’s huge, moves incredibly well, has a really dope moveset, a great look, and natural charisma. He is a no doubt superstar. Cien, also has everything you could possibly want in a future main event talent. He has started to put it together in NXT recently working heel and is really showing what made him such a huge draw in Japan and Mexico. I’m hyped for this match; maybe more so than any other this weekend. Both guys are incredibly talented and can tell really great stories in the ring. I’m expecting Black to get the win and a huge push right from jump. Match of the weekend quite possibly.
The Authors of Pain have grown by leaps and bounds over the last year or so. They have become a really solid team with good moves and good chemistry. They are dangerously close to being too dominate though and need to lose this match in my opinion. `However, this may be the last dance for The Revival in NXT as they are more than ready for the main roster. That leaves #DIY who, while they are also main roster ready, could carry the division for a few months while new teams are built. I hope that’s what happens here. Regardless, this will be a very good match. All six guys can go hard in the ring. The melding of styles should make for a really fun time.
Asuka has been champ for over a year. She has been undefeated even longer. And while it has been done very well, it’s time for a change. I love Asuka. I cannot wait to see her on the main roster having matches with Charlotte and Sasha or Becky and Alexa. Her time in NXT is coming to a close and if she wins here, WWE runs the risk of making the entire division worthless. Thankfully, Ember Moon is ready to carry the title. She has a great finisher that never fails to hype the crowd. She looks different from the rest of the current crop of talent they have and if the rumors of the Women’s Tournament are true, she will have a slew of awesome new women to defend against. This match should be far and away the best womens match of the weekend.
The main event of Takeover should be the very last match Shinsuke has for the brand. There is nothing left for him to prove or do on NXT and there are some truly amazing matches waiting to happen on the main roster. Roode is the perfect guy to carry the title for awhile as new stars are built. The Glorious gimmick is over huge right now and while it to is main roster ready, NXT needs stability for the time being. Roode will be over still in six months to a year when he gets called up. This match should be a lot of fun. Nakamura is so damn charismatic that, if he decides to really bring it, he can put on a classic with anyone. Their first match was good; this will be better. I fully expect Roode to retain though and to send Shinsuke off to Raw or Smackdown.
So there it is. A card that looks small but is packed with potential Match of the Year candidates. Follow me on twitter, @geekadedan, and let me know what you thought of the show. Also, check out the Backdrops and Bodyslams podcast, right here on Geekade.com, for mine and Dean’s look at Takeover, Wrestlemania, and what we hope to see the next two nights. Until then…