It’s the second show from Oct. 13’s taping at Full Sail (spoilers from which are here), where NXT will finish building toward TakeOver: Toronto. Here's what to expect.
The Headliner(s)
Six first round matches of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic are in the books. The final two are on the card for tonight, and we’ll know the entire quarterfinal field by the time this episode is over.
Both bouts should be entertaining, even if neither outcome is terribly suspenseful. That’s because a couple of high profile teams are facing off against, well, less high profile ones.
The injury to Hideo Itami left Kota Ibushi without a partner. WWE replaced Itami with Raw’s Cruiserweight champion TJ Perkins. It was unlikely NXT was going to bring in a big-name free agent like Ibushi for one match, and it’s even less likely they’ll job out a main roster name. Sorry, Lince Dorado & Mustafa Ali.
In the other first round match, Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano are not only front-runners to win the Dusty, but they’re the presumed #1 contenders for the Revival’s tag team championship. Ho Ho Lun & Tian Bing are important to Triple H’s Chinese expansion plans, but they’re longshots to knock off #DIY tonight.
The Title Scene
With what amounted to a declaration of war, NXT titleholder Shinsuke Nakamura told Samoa Joe he’s ready for their next fight at TakeOver: Toronto on Nov. 19. And when Joe tried to use a distraction from Patrick Clark to get in a few shots ahead of time, the King of Strong Style took out Clark - just like he has everyone who’s stood between him and the former champ since returning from injuries sustained at Joe’s hands.
Out here in internet land, we know who’ll be challenging Women’s champ Asuka at next month’s live special. Within the week-to-week of the show WWE Network brings us every Wednesday, that hasn’t been announced yet. Peyton Royce & Billie Kay say they plan to take over the division from the Empress of Tomorrow, but they’re gonna have to get in line behind a certain former Divas champ.
Other stuff to keep an eye on:
- Despite a ‘L’ in the record books, another woman made sure we know to keep our eyes on her. SAnitY’s Nikki Cross isn’t afraid to lay hands on her own stablemates if they get in the way of her kicking ass. And if she’ll forearm Eric Young - imagine what she’ll do to someone like Liv Morgan.
- Speaking of Liv, she’ll probably be looking to get some revenge on Kay & Royce after a loss in a sanctioned match and a beatdown from the Aussie duo in back-to-back weeks.
- Gloriousness will meet Perfection in Toronto. Tye Dillinger asked for a one-on-one match with his short-lived tag partner after Bobby Roode abandoned him to SAnitY, and General Manager William Regal granted his request.
- Now a full-on rudo, Andrade “Cien” Almas doesn’t want your respect, because he’s looking out for himself. Hopefully, we’ll here from the man whose butt he kicked to cement his turn, Cedric Alexander, sooner than later.
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See you tonight for NXT, Cagesiders!
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