WWE NXT preview (Nov. 2, 2016): Stable break

It’s the third 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)

We’re on to round two of the second annual Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, and this week’s show brings us our first two matches from what is now a field of eight two-man teams.

Rich Swann & No Way Jose not only picked up a win against EVOLVE and Raw’s Drew Gulak & Tony Nese, but they’ve won over NXT fans with their sweet dance moves and fun-loving attitude. They’ll need all that and more tonight. Paul Ellering’s latest weapons of mass destruction, the Authors of Pain. Akam & Rezer made short work of the Bollywood Boys in round one... just like they’ve done to just about everyone they’ve faced in NXT. And that includes former champs and current SmackDown stars American Alpha. Can Swann & Jose handle the Authors and advance?

Note: The match discussed above did not take place at Full Sail, but WWE’s preview for the Nov. 2 episode says it’s airing tonight. Results from the San Jose event where it was filmed are here.

There’s plenty of star power in the other tourney match, but no less of a challenge for Cruiserweight Classic (CWC) winner TJ Perkins & international sensation Kota Ibushi. They’ll be squaring off with another stable on the come up, Eric Young’s SAnitY. We haven’t seen much of Alexander Wolfe & Sawyer Fulton, the two men who’ll be the legal competitors in the match, but with EY and the unhinged Nikki Cross in their corner, we know Ibushi & Perkins will be at a disadvantage.

Which two teams will claim victory and advance to the semi-finals?

The Title Scene

Samoa Joe’s last couple of confrontations with NXT champ Shinsuke Nakamura haven’t looked successful to those of us at home, but Joey Headrocker says he’s embarked on a long campaign of psychological warfare with the King of Strong Style. Hopefully he comes out the other side of it after Toronto in better shape than Austin Aries.

She still hasn’t met her next challenger face-to-face, but NXT Women’s titleholder Asuka was downright giddy at the prospect of facing Mickie James when General Manager William Regal broke the news last Wednesday.

Their absence from our screens makes it seem there was more to the injury rumors than Scott Dawson wanted us to believe, but Top Guys, and NXT tag team champions The Revival do have a second round tournament date with their rivals #DIY coming up soon.

Other stuff to keep an eye on:

- Tensions are heating up in TakeOver: Toronto’s only official (so far) non-title match. Tye Dillinger will be looking for revenge more than ever after Bobby Roode attacked him from behind on the stage last week.

- The women’s division may be setting up a tag feud of its own. “Best friends” Peyton Royce & Billie Kay have run the numbers game on Liv Morgan a lot recently, and the Jersey Girl gained an ally in Aliyah last week.

- It’s starting to look like Cedric Alexander may never respond to Andrade “Cien” Almas turning on him after their first round loss in the Dusty.

NOTE: Spoilers are out there for these pre-taped broadcasts (including 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.

See you tonight for NXT, Cagesiders!