WWE NXT Preview (Sept. 14, 2016): Let’s get Glorious

It’s the third show from Aug. 26’s taping at Full Sail (spoilers from which are here), where NXT will look to continue to fill out their landscape after TakeOver: Brooklyn II. Here's what to expect from the show.

The Headliner

The big advertised match for this week is the Glorious Bobby Roode taking on No Way Jose. This was set up briefly a couple of weeks ago when the It Factor interrupted a promo by Jose backstage. And here we are.

What it really feels like is that Austin Aries and Bobby Roode are switching their TakeOver: Brooklyn II opponents. Aries defeated Jose and Roode defeated Almas at the event. Last week, Aries defeated Cien and now it’s Roode’s turn to take care of business again.

And then, hopefully, Jose and Cien will join forces to take on the two men who have their numbers. Seriously... just give me a Dirty Heels reunion already!!!!

The Title Scene

We’re almost a month removed from the last TakeOver and here’s where our current champs stand:

- If Shinsuke Nakamura thought he’d be done with Samoa Joe after he won the NXT title from him at TakeOver, he’d be wrong. Not that it’s something that is right on the horizon because General Manager William Regal was informed by trainers that Joe is not yet cleared to compete.

It didn’t keep the Samoan Submission Machine from watching the champion make quick work of Steve Cutler last week. At the end of the match, Samoa Joe just sat there firing daggers with his eyes at Nakamura before getting fed up and headed to the back. As soon as he gets the all clear, he’ll likely charge at Shinsuke like an angry bull.

- NXT Women’s champion Asuka doesn’t seem to have a clear path yet. With Bayley, Nia Jax, Alexa Bliss, and Carmella all called up to the main roster, there isn’t anyone who sticks out as the obvious next contender to the champion’s prize.

Ember Moon is likely the most exciting choice, but she just debuted and that’s probably something they’ll want to save for later. That leaves the likes of Billie Kay, who was last seen losing in Brooklyn or someone along the lines of a Liv Morgan, who doesn’t really seem like a credible challenger for Asuka’s title.

- Tag team champions the Revival have been picking on #DIY Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa lately. After wreaking havoc on the knee of Gargano at Brooklyn, not only costing him the tag title victory, but likely his spot in the Cruiserweight Classic as well, they beat the hell out of Ciampa on a recent episode of NXT.

We learned last week that Team #DIY will be in action this week, but you’ll have to wait an hour to see it. That’s because it they will fill some during the CWC finale this week (likely between the semi finals and the final match). If Gargano and Ciampa look good, they’ll likely get another chance at the old school team of Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder.

What else to watch for

- Mystery Authors: The Authors of Pain debuted two TakeOvers ago and we still don’t know anything about them. Their manager Paul Ellering has been tight lipped about the two bruisers and all we’ve seen is them destroy teams in their wake. They’ve recently defeated TM61 in a dark match in Brooklyn, and TM61 represent one of the few tag teams left in NXT. Because of that, the duo who’s names we still don’t know are going to just bide their time until Paul thinks the time is right.

- A loafered ass kicker: When asked about the Go To Sleep he delivered to Austin Aries, Hideo Itami made sure to note that his sockless, loafered feet kicked Austin’s ass. These two are going to be face to face sooner than later.

- The new talent of the Women’s division: Even if many of them don’t appear ready to stand toe to toe with Asuka, there are plenty of new women in the division that I’d love to see more of. Billie Kay has been great as the arrogant heel and Ember Moon is surely exciting. But even asides from them, we have Aliyah, Liv Morgan, Peyton Royce (somewhere), Mandy Rose, Daria Berenato, and Nikki Glencross. There’s plenty of talent there to fill the ranks left behind by the old guard.

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!