Tonight’s show finds us in NXT’s home base of Full Sail Live for the first episode from a taping (spoilers from which are here) which occurred less than a week after TakeOver: Brooklyn 4.
Here’s what to expect.
The Headliner(s)
The black-and-yellow brand turned a negative into possibly multiple positives when they used Aleister Black’s house show groin injury as a whodunit on television. The parking lot attack on the Dutch Destroyer not only provided a kayfabe reason to remove Black from the main event. It’s an angle which has given them reasons to remind us about most of the roster, and provide possible storylines for several of them, too.
General Manager William Regal announced before TakeOver that Undisputed ERA weren’t guilty of this one. Probably tough for the old Villain to admit the frequent thorns in his side weren’t to blame for something, but they’re already mixed in to just about every other feud on the show, so it made sense from a creative perspective.
In declaring his innocence, EC3 pointed a finger at Aleister’s Chicago 2 opponent Lars Sullivan. And we learned that not only is Nikki Cross still on the NXT roster, she’s probably a key witness in this mystery.
And it’s a puzzle Regal will need to solve soon. If his Instagram is any indication, Black won’t be on the shelf for too much longer...
If you think you want answers, imagine how much that guy does.
(My money is still on Johnny Gargano)
The Title Scene
Three of the brand’s belts get thrown into the same match tonight, as a scene from after their matches in Brooklyn set up a showdown between Undisputed ERA and long-reigning United Kingdom Titleholder Pete Dunne & new North American Champ Ricochet. Neither of those belts or Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly’s Tag Team Championship will be on the line, but the ERA guys will definitely be looking to do some damage to their longtime rival Dunne and the man who beat Adam Cole for the NA strap at TakeOver. And the Bruiserweight’s made it perfectly clear he wants Ricochet’s new title.
Will we see Gargano, or get an update on his apparently kayfabe injury? WWE.com’s official preview isn’t teasing that, or the standard gloating from NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa, but we know both are coming soon enough.
If her fallout interview with the other MMA Horsewomen is any indication, Shayna Baszler isn’t done with new Women’s Titlist Kairi Sane. It’s a stacked division, with more talent coming via the same Mae Young Classic tournament which ushered both the Queen of Spades and the Pirate Princess into the company, but it doesn’t sound like Baszler is waiving that rematch clause.
Other stuff to keep an eye on:
- A pair of women will look to make the same kind of statement Bianca Belair did last week, as Dakota Kai and Aliyah face off looking to make a statement and earn themselves a title shot.
- Detective 3 (you may know him as EC3) will try to get one victory he can stack additional victories onto when he faces Raul Mendoza tonight.
- Keith Lee will be in action, and we’ll be looking for signs of what’s in store for the newest signee, Matt Riddle.
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!