NXT Takeover: Orlando takes place on Saturday night. Here are our thoughts on what will happen at the show.
NXT Champion Bobby Roode vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Dave: This should be a great match. All signs point to Nakamura being ready to move up to the main roster while Roode is pretty firmly entrenched at the top of the card in NXT. I would be very surprised if the Title switched here. This seems like the classic NXT scenario when the former champion is about to get called up and he does the courtesy to the man staying behind in the territory.
Mike: Their initial match was great and I expect this will be even better as they have the additional story of Nakamura looking to avenge the loss. I don't see a title change here, but that may be a reason they should change it - to surprise us. Either way, this should be excellent.
Richard: Roode should retain, but the contrast between Roode wrestling for himself while Nakamura is doing it for the fans has been done well. I agree that Nakamura is not long for the NXT roster, but when you do call him up, think through the process instead of just throwing him on a show. Do we get Kassius Ohno involved?
NXT Women’s Champion Asuka vs. Ember Moon
Dave: Asuka has been completely dominant in NXT. Whether she is about to be called up to the main roster or not, I really feel it's time for someone to beat her and get some heat on her. Ember Moon seems like the right person to do it and this seems like the right place for it to happen. Asuka has been overly cocky of late, especially laughing at Ember during the contract signing on TV this week. I change the Title belt here. Ember has a lot to offer and is very talented. The division needs a bit of a shake up and now is the time to do it.
Mike: I don't see a title change here. The story should be that Enmber took the champ to the limit before losing so that Moon can be shifted up to the next plateau in the eyes of the fans. I expect a good match.
Richard: I think there is a very small chance that Ember wins the title, but that does not mean that it could not happen. I think Ember has to wrestle a 'perfect match' to win. Asuka has been dominant, but it is the same as being the best team in a division where none of the other teams are over .500. There is a lot in the pipleine in NXT to take the women back to the level it was at before the call ups, and even better in terms of the number of top women available. I think Dave hit the nail on the head, if Asuka loses it is because she is too overconfident.
NXT Tag Team Champions The Authors of Pain vs. #DIY vs. The Revival (Triple Threat Elimination Match)
Dave: This should be really good. We all know how great DIY and The Revival are, but the AOP have worked really hard to improve. For guys their size, this new in the business, they have improved really well as time has gone by. I expect this match to be really good as well. If it's me, I book both challengers very strongly but have the champions find a way to retain. It's easy to book everyone strongly in a three way match and keep issues alive.
Mike: I expect this is going to be the best thing on the show. I see a lot of positives to each team winning, but at the end of the day, The Revival are the best choice.
Richard: The set up for this match could work really well for the crowd. You have the heels in all situations (AOP), the faces in all situations (#DIY) and the Revival who can be faces against AOP and heels against #DIY. I hope this gets a lot of time before the first elimination. Maybe they can do something unique and have the winning team pin both teams at the same time. While it would be nice to see #DIY or Revival get the titles back, it would really good for the reputation of The Authors of Pain to beat both of the top teams still in NXT.
Aleister Black vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas
Dave: Almas has found himself as a heel and gotten into a great groove. Black is debuting and as anyone who has seen him as Tommy End knows, he can go. I think he needs to come in strongly and get the win in a hard fought match. The build for Black has been too big to have him lose in his debut.
Mike: Almas is showing some really good heel potential but I feel like he's still missing something. It makes sense to have Black win, but I could see them doing a disputed finish if they want to make this a program.
Richard: This should be a fun match with the way that Almas has been used since the turn. Black's video packages have been great and his match at the UK Tournament was really good. Since Dillinger is already in the eight person tag match, someone has to put over the new guy.
Tye Dillinger, Roderick Strong, No Way Jose & Ruby Riot vs. SAnitY
Dave: Ruby has added a cool layer to this feud, as she can now be there to neutralize Nikki Cross. SAnitY has run wild over NXT since coming in and with the odds equaled, now would be a great time for them to take the fall. I put the babyfaces over here.
Mike: I am with Dave. I think the time is no for Sanity to lose. Ruby pinning Nikki to help build her momentum works for me.
Richard: I hope they let the men and women mix in this match because Ruby and Nikki can go with anyone. Maybe this will be the end of the Dillinger retribution feud. Maybe we see Wolfe and Dain move on to the tag titles and Nikki goes into the Women's Title picture. Strong should have a strong performance and get moved to the next level.
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