Tonight’s show finds us at Full Sail, for the final episode from a taping (spoilers from which are here) full of big story beats designed to get us most of the way to August’s TakeOver: Brooklyn III. Here's what to expect.
The Headliner(s)
It doesn’t quite feel like Killian Dain has had a substantial number of matches, let alone singles matches, to be touting an undefeated streak, but NXT fans know from experience these things are as important as WWE tells us they are. And they’re telling us the collision between the big Irishman and Drew McIntyre is streak vs. streak, so as Mauro Ranallo says, “somebody’s ‘0’ has got to go!”
#SAnitY's @KillianDain and @DMcIntyreWWE go head-to-head for a chance to challenge #NXTChampion @REALBobbyRoode TOMORROW on #WWENXT! pic.twitter.com/up9geTWcDf
— WWE (@WWE) July 18, 2017
Given the stakes General Manager William Regal has assigned to the bout - winner faces NXT champion Bobby Roode at TakeOver: Brooklyn III next month - we don’t even really need to the issue of their records involved. Throw in that this was set-up by Dain and his SAnitY bud Alexander Wolfe jumping Drew outside Full Sail after the show a couple weeks back, and the fact it should be a good old-fashioned slobberknocker, and we’re good to go.
Plus, Roode is always working an angle to keep things Glorious in “his” NXT. And Roderick Strong still has to be bothered by the way his title shot ended, and might be looking for another opportunity.
Who leaves tonight’s main event still undefeated is the least interesting thing about it.
The Title Scene
Speaking of undefeated, Women’s champ Asuka is still cooling her heels at home after a hard fought victory over another of Dain’s SAnitY mates, Nikki Cross. The Empress of Tomorrow says she won’t be back until Regal delivers a worthy opponent. After their showdown tonight, either Ember Moon or Ruby Riot will have a better case they’re deserving of such a chance.
No sooner had tag titleholders Authors of Pain added a new chapter to their Book of Dominance by defeating Heavy Machinery - SAnitY (boy, Eric Young’s crew is all over this brand these days) destroyed the tome to taunt Akam, Rezar and manager Paul Ellering. Even for agents of chaos, I think that’s a clear sign they want the belts.
Other stuff to keep an eye on:
- Efforts to patch things up between Hideo Itami and Kassius Ohno don’t seem to be working, and tensions between the two are higher than ever.
- Johnny Gargano returned and staked his claim to a spot on the Brooklyn card... one that won’t be filled by his old partner and new rival Tommaso Ciampa. Who will Johnny Wrestling face in Barclays?
- Not for lack of trying, but Kayla Braxton couldn’t pin Velveteen Dream down for an interview. Here’s hoping she’s learned some better etiquette, or whatever Dream expects from her.
- Street Profits are coming! Not sure when, or what exactly the Angelo Dawkins/Montez Ford gimmick is (although we got a sense of it their first teaser last week), but they’re coming.
- Bobby Fish is already here, but are their plans for the former Ring of Honor and New Japan star, or does he join the man who defeated him last week, Aleister Black, in the crowded field of hopefuls?
- What is going on with Andrade Almas and the mysterious woman who seems to be driving him crazy?
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See you tonight for NXT, Cagesiders!