NXT Takeover: The End (of an Era)

Wednesday night, NXT presents their latest quarterly special “NXT Takeover: The End”. The card is stacked from top to bottom. The Revival/American Alpha, Nia Jax/Asuka, the debut of Andrade “Cien” Almas and Nakamura/Aries provide a ton of firepower. The coup de grace is the main event: NXT’s first cage match with the NXT title on the line between Finn Balor and Samoa Joe ©. “The End” might immediately refer to the heated rivalry between the two, but big picture-wise- Wednesday’s special is the end of an era in NXT.

I’d even read some far-fetched theory that “The End” might be the end of NXT as we know it. The theory went on to speculate NXT had been fleshed out and done what it intended, and that since Vince sees it as HHH’s baby, it is expendable. I couldn’t help but muster a chuckle at the entire idea. NXT 2.0 (not the televised version from 2010) is WWE’s shiniest toy and helps them appeal the hardcore independent wrestling crowd.

The reason Takeover specials are unique and novel is the fact that there’s only a handful of them every year. Unlike WWE specials involving the main roster that get lost in the shuffle outside of ‘Mania, Rumble and Summerslam, NXT’s special events are always loaded with both talent and well-defined feuds. And since they are every few months, that usually allows more often than not to see a debut of a new star (i.e. Apollo Crews, Samoa Joe, Nakamura, Almas).

The first red herring in signaling the end of this particular era in NXT is when Finn lost the NXT title at a house show in Lowell, Massachusetts. It was to show that anything is possible and NXT can be just as unpredictable as WWE- if not more so. Joe has been on a tear in recent months as a monster heel, shaking off the rust that plagued him upon his bland babyface debut. Balor had beaten all comers including Joe (twice on Takeover specials) and accomplished all he had set out to do- aside from being a two-time NXT champion. The international star is primed for a main roster run sooner rather than later, mainly due to the upcoming brand split between RAW and Smackdown.

The brand split is what forces the end of this era of NXT. WWE’s “New Era” won’t just be made up of current WWE stars but also NXT ones like Balor who are seasoned and ready to help add a new layer to the main roster. With all of the injuries in 2015-2016, splitting the WWE in half will require all hands on deck.

The question isn’t if NXT will be a drafting resource, but how badly will it be purged?

Bayley has mentioned she wants to be a part of the main roster (anything is better than the current Charlotte/Natalya/Becky mess). She- like Finn- has done all she can as a cornerstone of NXT. Not to mention she is not on the latest card due to a storyline injury. That leaves Asuka and Nia Jax to head the women’s division with stars like Alexa Bliss and Carmella to help fill it out.

One word WWE will need to keep in mind: discipline. While it is enticing to want to inject a talent infusion into the main roster, remember the effect it has on the respective of each debut. A good example? Apollo Crews. Ever since debuting randomly on April 4^th, Crews has been lost in the shuffle. With no character development in NXT outside of a brief video chronicling his journey, Crews’ agenda is vague as he delivers a flashy and powerful move-set week in and week out. (Think Bobby Lashley crossed with Evan Bourne).

The debut of Enzo and Cass, The Club and the Vaudevillians has helped add to the tag division headed by The New Day. With teams like BreezeDango, the Uso’s, The Shining Stars and Dudleyz, the division is plentiful of tag teams currently. Let Gable and Jordan marinate some more in NXT and help elevate other teams. Then debut them as a free agent addition sometime in the fall to help their debut seem even bigger.

A veteran like Nakamura doesn’t need much more NXT time. As high as WWE is on him, I can see him being taken in the draft.

“The End” will no doubt deliver a top-notch show. It’s not about which match will steal the show, but how many of them can. Don’t take it for granted- it will be the last time you see some of the NXT stars as a full-time members of the developmental brand. While it’s the end of a segment in NXT’s timeline, the anticipation of who will step up and help usher in the next era is exciting as well.

 

NXT Takeover: The End Predictions

 

NXT Tag Team Championship: The Revival vs American Alpha ©

The Revival have shown they can work with all sorts of teams and have an old-school feel to them. “Fists not flips” is their rallying cry, but American Alpha is the cream of the crop and I see them retaining their straps in impressive fashion.

Winners and still NXT tag team champions: American Alpha

 

Andrade “Cien” Almas vs Tye Dillinger

I won’t lie and say I know a lot about Almas. In fact, I know little to nothing. But that’s the beauty of NXT- discovering new favorites and seeing how they fit in to the brand. I’ve heard things here and there about the young star, though- and HHH is high on him. Dillinger is a crowd favorite, a simple ten-fingered hand gesture getting him over with NXT fans. He’s a solid talent and potential star for the brand and WWE in the future- but tonight he’ll be looked at to make Almas look like a million dollars.

Winner: Andrade “Cien” Almas

 

Shinsuke Nakamura vs Austin Aries

With nothing on the line except pride, these two well-traveled vets will put on a very entertaining bout. Nakamura offers nothing fans have ever seen and has them on their feet from the moment the lights go down and his music hits. Aries will look to prove fans shouldn’t have shuffled him off to the side once Nakamura debuted. With Nakamura not necessarily needing a win to stay popular and already owning a Takeover win over Zayn, I can see Aries surprising fans tonight.

Winner: Austin Aries

 

NXT Women’s Championship: Nia Jax vs Asuka ©

The women’s division is officially in new hands, trying to live up to the high bar the “Four Horsewomen” set. We will see some growing pains in the meantime, specifically from Jax. She’s big and has potential, looked at as the monster similar to Joe as NXT champion. But the difference is experience. As easy it is to want to make Jax a mammoth heel to run ragged through the division, she’s not convincing enough just yet. Her moves lack the brutal impact they should. Her delivery on the mic is shaky. Working with Asuka will only improve Nia’s abilities. Based on talent, I would say Asuka wins. But since a feud needs a little back and forth, Jax wins Wednesday night with the money in the chase for Asuka.

Winner and new NXT women’s champion: Nia Jax

 

NXT Championship: Finn Balor vs Samoa Joe ©

This is what the whole special is built upon: two men whose disdain was never more evident than last week’s intense interview.

Both made valid points and conveyed why they felt the way they did. Conviction plays a big part in how much fans believe the hatred between Balor and Joe. The fact they have traded the title and fans can see either man having a legitimate chance to win adds to the stakes in this title match. Joe is on an impressive streak both in ring and on the mic while Balor will likely be looked at to inject a new flavor into the main roster come July. A built-in storyline with The (Bullet) Club is too easy to pass up for WWE and fantasy bookers alike. Joe wins an intense and brutal bout which might see the rare occasion of blood and a possible debut of a challenger. Regardless, the match will leave no doubt who the face of the brand is, like him or not.

Winner and still NXT champion: Samoa Joe

 

Like it? Love it? Hate it? Let me know @SeanNeutron

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