WWE NXT preview (June 15, 2016): Polish your armor

It's the first episode from the June 9 Full Sail taping (spoilers for which are here) which will start building from TakeOver: The End... Here's what to expect from the show.

The Headliner

The Demon walked into the cage to win back the NXT championship from Samoa Joe last Wednesday night, and for the first time in his WWE career, a painted-up Finn Bálor was defeated.

There are a ton of questions about what’s next for the brand - but the paths of the two men who’ve feuded for its top prize over the last nine months are central to many of them. The main roster brand split has sparked rumors of a mass call-up of NXT talent, and Bálor’s was rumored for promotion even before a bunch of his buddies from New Japan started running around Raw and SmackDown.

We may not get clear answers on Finn, or the champ’s, futures tonight, but WWE is promising at least a few hints on the direction things will go for both men.

The Title Scene

Now that Nia Jax’s supreme self-confidence has lead to a second Women’s title loss, this time to Asuka, how will the hoss of the division respond - or is she headed to either Raw or SmackDown herself? We know where the Empress of Tomorrow ends up, eventually, as Bayley is still sitting on her rematch clause from Dallas.

Dash & Dawson came into last week on a losing streak while also seeming to look past American Alpha, but they came out of The End... two-time tag champs. Considering how excellent the match those four men put on at TakeOver was, this is one rematch we’re okay with them running in a loop.

Other stuff to keep an eye on:

- Speaking of that tag match, the other major question mark - and something WWE is talking up in their preview - follows the two man-mountains Paul Ellering sent to the ring to destroy Chad Gable & Jason Jordan after their loss. We’ll hope to learn more about the duo (Gzim Selmani & Sunny Dhinsa, who worked as Authors of Pain on Florida live shows) - and what the Alphas plan to do about them - tonight.

- Andrade “Cien” Almas debut was memorable, but maybe not for the reasons the former La Sombra or Triple H & company hoped. The luchador got some love, but not nearly as much as his opponent, Tye Dillinger did. Could NXT have it’s own YES movement, or at least a Mizdow-esque uprising, on their hands?

- There’s no doubt that fans around the globe love Shinsuke Nakamura, but after a big win over Austin Aries, what’s next for Swagsuke? On that subject, how will A-Double respond to a high-profile loss just shortly after he was complaining about his lackluster start in NXT?

- Which is to say nothing of the plethora of debuts and talent we’ve only seen a few times who we’d like to see more of? Will this be the night we see Ember Moon or Oney Lorcan? What about more TM-61 or Peyton Royce?

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!