NXT preview (Apr. 3, 2019): Final Stop

NXT returns tonight (April 3) with their last episode prior to TakeOver: New York.

Here’s what’s advertised for tonight:

• Bianca Belair vs. Kairi Sane
• The War Raiders warm up for TakeOver
• Oney Lorcan vs. Jaxson Ryker

As per usual, here are our five questions about NXT tonight:

1) Is this a heavy filler episode?

There isn’t much of note advertised for tonight. And with just two days prior to TakeOver, it’s possible that last week was the real go home show.

Not that they couldn’t put on a real show. This was taped weeks back so it certainly wouldn’t affect travel for roster heading up to New York/New Jersey this week. But do they really need to? This show is pretty set already. Not that there can’t be finishing touches, but it’s not necessary.

Plus, the roster aren’t the only people traveling. Fans who could be attending TakeOver may already be getting ready to fly out for the big WrestleMania weekend. So NXT may opt not to put anything too must see.

2) Is the women’s match going to be interfered with?

Shayna Baszler has not been allowing most women’s matches finish. She, alongside Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir, have been attacking whomever they can. The champ’s reasoning is she feels she is being mistreated. This is her answer to that.

At this point, Sane and Belair should know that’s a distinct possibility. Likely Io Shirai will be watching. This match has more of a chance to end in a brawl between the Horsewomen Three and the challengers than it does to have a clean finish.

Hopefully any interference isn’t immediate if it goes that way. This is a rematch from the first Mae Young Classic and Bianca Belair’s breakout match. It’ll be fun to see them mix it up over a year later.

3) What are the post TakeOver matches?

Prior to all the TakeOvers, they’ll tape a couple matches in the arena that will be aired the following episode of NXT TV.

Normally, they’ll let us know those tonight. Perhaps Dominik Dijakovic will have a match (though it likely won’t be the postponed match with Keith Lee). The team of Aliyah and Vanessa Borne have been getting some television time so maybe they’ll have a match. Or maybe it’ll be a tag match involving one of the teams that didn’t make it to the finals of the Dusty Classic.

4) Is Lorcan done in NXT?

It’s been recently announced that Oney Lorcan is becoming a full time 205 Live roser member. It’s a move that has me considering watching more 205 Live as Lorcan is great. But does that mean he’s done with NXT?

He could surely pull double duty. NXT tapes in blocks so he could come down for a taping and then get back on the road with the 205 crew. But there aren’t any current examples of anyone else pulling double duty.

If he is leaving, what does that mean for his BritAm Brawlers team with Danny Burch? Is Burch going to join him on 205 Live? Is he going to go to NXT UK and work singles?

5) Is Oney getting squashed?

To follow up with this, if he is leaving, does that mean Jaxson Ryker is going to steamroll him?

Ryker is the singles competitor in the Forgotten Sons, and if he’s wrestling, he’s usually squashing. But he hasn’t wrestled anyone the status of Lorcan yet. Oney isn’t some singles aficionado in NXT, but he’s no slouch either.

I expect him to lose. Even if he’s not leaving NXT, I expect him to lose. The question is will we actually get to see Jaxson work more than a squash for a change?

We’ll see if we get answers to these questions tonight at 8 PM.

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