WWE NXT preview (Nov. 8, 2017): Prepare for War

Tonight’s show finds us at Full Sail, for the third episode from a taping (spoilers from which are here) which takes us all the way to TakeOver: WarGames. Here's what to expect.

The Headliner(s)

Last week’s tag team championship rematch between reigning titleholders SAnitY and the duo they defeated for the belts, Authors of Pain, ended in chaos when Undisputed ERA and Roderick Strong joined the fray just when it looked like Paul Ellering’s men might reclaim the straps.

While the melee which followed gave us the subtitle and main event for the next TakeOver, a three team WarGames match, it was the involvement of Roderick Strong which led to this episode’s marquee bout. Strong’s been courted by Adam Cole, Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly to join their band of Ring of Honor (ROH) veterans for weeks. When he ran in on the ERA’s brawl with AoP and Eric Young’s crew, it appeared he’d accepted.

But while Strong is definitely frustrated by his inability to capture NXT gold, he’s still an honorable competitor (see what I did there?). In attacking Undisputed ERA, he found himself on the side of Akam and Rezar - an alliance General Manager William Regal made official when he booked WarGames.

Before that happens, the Messiah of the Backbreaker gets a chance to prove his solo mettle once again when he squares off with Cole. All three members of ERA will be looking to get revenge on Roddy... will his new mates have his back? Is there any chance this fight doesn’t turn into another nine (or ten, if Nikki Cross isn’t too focused on her TakeOver match) person brawl?

And can NXT convince fans who are excited for WarGames but dubious about the teams and format that the Strong/Authors alliance makes sense?

The Title Scene

The field for TakeOver’s Fatal 4Way to determine the next Women’s champion is set. There are still a couple episodes for the ladies to make statements, however. Last week, Cross made quick work for Taynara Conti. This Wednesday, Mae Young Classic (MYC) winner Kairi Sane will deal with Peyton Royce - via a match with her Iconic partner Billie Kay. The Aussies got caught gossiping about the Pirate Princess last week, and now Billie will try to not get caught with that elbow drop. Hopefully, Pey is paying attention so she doesn’t catch one in Houston.

Zelina Vega’s associate Andrade “Cien” Almas made quite a statement after signing the paperwork for his NXT championship match against Drew McIntyre. Not only did he attack the Celtic Colossus, but he used Vega’s gum to pin the contract to the champ’s chest. Something tells me McIntyre is going to let that pass without comment, and possibly pre-TakeOver action.

It’s not going to make the WWE Network broadcast on Sat., Nov. 18, but fingers crossed we get to see it on one of the Wednesdays after. UK titleholder Pete Dunne is defending his belt against Johnny Gargano in Houston. This seems like a tough way for Johnny to get his groove back, but it should be a heck of a match.

Other stuff to keep an eye on:

- She may have come up short in her own efforts to join the Women’s title match, but that didn’t stop Mercedes Martinez from firing some shots Ember Moon’s way. That old Shimmer rivalry should hit the Network soon as Ember’s pre-TakeOver warm-up.

- The best feud on WWE programming is official for WarGames. Now that Velveteen Dream has Aleister Black’s attention, who knows what he might do?

- Tino Sabatelli and Riddick Moss apparently share a very nice car, but they may have big-timed the wrong duo when they disrespected Street Profits, who were only trying to admire their ride.

- We’re probably overdue for a Lars Sullivan mauling of 1 - 4 men, don’t you think?

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!