In case you missed the news on Monday, we're tightening up the Previews to be more of an actual, well, preview of the show in question. Fans of my usual nonsense, unsolicited advice, insight and fantasy booking will find the crumbs of those things here, and in everything else I write for the best dang pro wrestling site on the net.
Here's what to expect with the first show from last Thursday night's taping at Full Sail Live (spoilers for which are here; analysis here).
The Headliner
With London in our rearview, NXT will turn its attention to determining new #1 contenders for its titles.
Up first is the Women's belt...probably because it's held by the wrestler the brand has been pushing as its top star since at least Respect. Already announced for a battle royal to determine the #1 contender to Bayley's title are former top challengers Nia Jax & her associate Eva Marie, Emma, Asuka & Carmella, along with Aliyah, who's debuting from Breaking Ground.
Look for the field to double from that list, with Alexa Bliss, Peyton Royce and Billie Kay likely additions. As for likely winners, the fans will want Asuka, although it may be too soon to start that feud, even if it is what they may want for TakeOver: Dallas. Fans will want anyone but Eva, and they should be safe since she just recently had a chance.
Everyone else is probably on equal footing. The Hugster's gonna clear out the lot of them before she's moves on to the main roster, anyway.
The Title Scene
Most of the attention paid to men's titleist Finn Bálor over the last week has focused on fantasy booking him as the leader of a faction he once ran for another promotion under a different name. Since Doc Gallows can't show up for a while, we'll likely either see face-of-few-words Finn, or he'll be hidden. The seeds of a storyline to determine who gets the next shot at the Irishman's belt may be started tonight. Samoa Joe lost fair and square at the last TakeOver, but doesn't really have anywhere else to go. Baron Corbin defeated Apollo Crews in the U.K. and Crews is still technically owed a championship bout. And then there's that Sami Zayn guy.
Over in the tag ranks, Dash & Dawson are still champs. Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady lost their latest shot at the tag belts, and all eyes are on Britain's favorite act, Chad Gable & Jason Jordan.
Other stuff to keep an eye on:
- The other big item for tonight is the handing out of the first ever NXT awards. We voted, and tonight, we're scheduled to find out who's the overall performer of the year, along with the winners of best male, female, tag team and match. There was no mention of the winners at the taping, so presumably this will all happen elsewhere and be produced into tonight's show.
- Elias Sampson has a great voice. Whether that gets featured in another song, or we get his second match since his re-launch as "The Drifter"...
- Tye Dillinger and Bull Dempsey are your loveable jobbers, heel and face. Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano like to show up a lot, even though they're not under contract.
NOTE: Spoilers are out there for these pre-taped broadcast (like here, and here), but many Cagesiders don't partake. If you are going to post or discuss spoilers for this show before they happen, or results of future shows, please use the spoiler bar in your comment.