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It's the final episode from the January 27 taping (spoilers for which are here) which will send us on the way to TakeOver: Dallas. Here's what to expect from the show.
The Headliner
Can the power of #BullFit defeat the MONSTROUS @SamoaJoe? Find out on the final @WWENXT before #NXTTakeOver: Dallas!https://t.co/NggTIKSwsb
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) March 29, 2016
Not going to say NXT is phoning it in like the SmackDown before WrestleMania, but the #1 contender to Finn Bálor's NXT championship vs. a guy who was released earlier this year doesn't scream "DON'T YOU DARE MISS IT!"
Last week, Samoa Joe made a statement heading into his title rematch in Dallas when he choked Bull Dempsey out on the ramp prior to his scheduled match with Danny Burch, then climbed in the ring and choked out Burch. Apparently Bull didn't care for that, and will attempt to get revenge tonight.
Considering Dempsey got clowned by Tommaso Ciampa, I bet he gets choked out again. Question is, will a dashing Irishman run in to save him and stare down the Samoan Submission Machine? Or were the more aggressive tendancies we saw from Finn during his victory over Rich Swann a sign that he's only looking out for himself (and possibly a couple friends from Japan) these days?
The Title Scene
Outside of some house show action, we haven't heard much from tag titleholders the Revival since they learned American Alpha will be their TakeOver opponents. Chad Gable & Jason Jordan got a primo video biography last Wednesday, expect some response from Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder tonight.
Likewise, #1 contender for the Divas championship, Asuka, got a warm-up when she sent Emma off to the main roster, but Bayley hasn't done much but look nervous. Time for the Hugster to channel her inner Hogan/Cena fire and make a statement.
Other stuff to keep an eye on:
- Joe/Dempsey was only one of the two matches announced last week; we're also getting Alex Riley RAGE-ing against Apollo Crews. Crews put a stop to Elias Samson's post-match beatdown of Johnny Gargano a week ago, and now we're all waiting for the Drifter to ramble into this match and round out the card for Friday night.
- Alexa Bliss picked up a win last week, while Dana Brooke revealed she's been healing up. Nia Jax is, like the Killer Barbie, on her own, and it's time for NXT to start re-establishing a bigger women's scene.
- While some arrivals from across the Pacific are unconfirmed, the King of Strong Style has definitely arrived. His showdown with Sami Zayn for Dallas has been light on story, but the hype machine will probably get turned on over the next couple days.
NOTE: Spoilers are out there for these pre-taped broadcast (like 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.