Now that he finished trading wins with Samoa Joe all over the globe, NXT champion Shinsuke Nakamura was in need of a new challenger. General Manager William Regal booked a series of matches to determine a #1 contender, culminating in a Fatal 4Way on the brand’s Dec. 21st episode on WWE Network.
On that just completed broadcast, Bobby Roode outlasted Roderick Strong, Andrade “Cien” Almas and his old rival Tye Dillinger to earn the right to face the King of Strong Style on Jan. 28 at TakeOver: San Antonio on the night before Royal Rumble.
EXCLUSIVE: @REALBobbyRoode is completely focused on making the #NXTChampionship #GLORIOUS at #NXTTakeOver: San Antonio! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/YOgCqW0iy6
— WWE (@WWE) December 22, 2016
Roode debuted in NXT this past Summer after a long career in TNA, and months of on-screen teases he’d be signing with WWE. Thanks in no small part to his very popular theme song, the Glorious One has shot up the card at his new home, and will now have a chance to become champion a little more than five months after his televised in-ring debut.
His opponent hasn’t been there much longer. Nakamura is in his second title reign despite his one year anniversary with the company being a few months away. Ever since the former New Japan star started in NXT, there’s been speculation on how long WWE would wait before putting him on Raw or SmackDown... talk that will increase if/when he drops the title.
This match joins a tag title match with the Authors of Pain challenging the winners of an upcoming bout between current champs #DIY and former kings of the division The Revival (which has already been filmed - click here if you want to know - but won’t air until Jan. 18) as the only announced matches for the live special.
Like it? Let us know, and chime in with your early predictions, below!