WWE NXT preview (July 13, 2016): Carry me home

It's the second episode from the June 24 Full Sail taping (spoilers for which are here) - featuring the match which served as that night’s main event - which will start setting the table for TakeOver: Back to Brooklyn in earnest. Here's what to expect from the show.

The Headliner

Looks like we’ve got a one-match show on our hands.

In the proud tradition of Sami Zayn vs. Samoa Joe, there’s a good chance Finn Bálor and Shinsuke Nakamura will take a page from Cruiserweight Classic competitor Rich Swann and go all night long.

WWE’s social media team’s sales pitch, and frequent jokes by yours truly, aside, there is more going here than “DREAM MATCH”.

While it’s more likely this is the former NXT champion’s farewell, neither guy needs to be in the developmental/feeder promotion any more - if they ever needed to be in the first place. In the short term, the winner probably sticks around for another month or two while the loser will be a prime candidate to show up on next Tuesday’s SmackDown Live premiere.

In story, Shinsuke has explained his drive to beat the icons of NXT en route to winning the title and establishing himself in the biggest wrestling company on Earth. He’s took down Zayn, the only guy who challenges Finn for “face of the brand” status - and now he’s coming for his old friend from New Japan.

Bálor’s leaned on that friendship and “DREAM MATCH” in his promos and interviews, but the same drive Sami took into Dallas is present for the Irishman tonight. He was the king of the Performance Center. Can he regain that crown, or at least head to the bigger stage with his head held high?

The Title Scene

NXT champion Samoa Joe is scheduled to return to the show tonight for the first time since TakeOver: The End..., but is that for a match, or to scout his likely challenger for Brooklyn.

If anyone has seen Women’s titleholder Asuka, let us know. Bayley’s probably looking for her after her win over Alexa Bliss last week. But Nia Jax may have something to say about that, even though she’d failed to defeat the Hugster and the Empress of Tomorrow for the belt in the past.

With another win over American Alpha in a classic two-out-of-three falls match last week, tag champs The Revival will probably be off doing top guy things this week.

Other stuff to keep an eye on:

- Chad Gable & Jason Jordan still have unfinished business before their presumed call-up... with Paul Ellering’s still mysterious Authors of Pain.

- Announcing his new attitude with authority, Austin Aries beat the dance out of No Way Jose. Still awaiting the Dominican’s response, which will probably be more hardball than salsa.

- Things didn’t seem to go as planned for either Andrade “Cien” Almas or Tye Dillinger with their feud from TakeOver through the previous taping. How will Creative adjust course?

- What was Rhyno doing in Full Sail? And will Bobby Roode ever show up there, or just work house shows?

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!