NXT TakeOver: San Antonio Discussion Thread

[Kross Rhodes]

NXT TakeOver: San Antonio preview - Jan. 28, 2017: Nakamura faces his most glorious challenge yet
Tomorrow, NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura faces his most glorious challenge to date when he puts his title on the line against Bobby Roode in the biggest money match in NXT history. Plus, NXT Women's Champion Asuka defends her title against three challengers in a Fatal 4-Way Match, and NXT Tag Team Champions #DIY square off with Paul Ellering's monstrous Authors of Pain. Don't miss NXT TakeOver: San Antonio, live tomorrow on WWE Network at 8 ET/5 PT!

NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Bobby Roode
In a match that is sure to be glorious, Bobby Roode will challenge Shinsuke Nakamura for the NXT Championship tonight at TakeOver: San Antonio, exclusively on the award-winning WWE Network.

After the dust settled on NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura and Samoa Joe’s ferocious war, The King of Strong Style was left standing tall. It took three emphatic Kinshasas, but Nakamura reigned supreme inside a steel cage in Melbourne, Australia, putting an end to Nakamura and Joe’s epic rivalry.

There is no rest for the weary, though, as the Japanese Superstar has a new No. 1 contender for his coveted title. Bobby Roode debuted on NXT just this past summer, but he has wasted no time making an impact within the NXT Universe. When Roode addressed Full Sail University upon his arrival he promised big changes for NXT, including making the brand “glorious.” Since then, the veteran Superstar has exuded overwhelming confidence, paving a path of gloriousness through the NXT Universe.

Now, Roode finds himself one victory away from becoming the NXT Champion and making his earlier promises of taking NXT to the next level a very real possibility. After defeating Oney Lorcan in a hard-hitting qualifying match and outlasting Tye Dillinger, Roderick Strong and Andrade Almas in a Fatal 4-Way No. 1 Contender’s Match, Roode earned himself the opportunity to battle Nakamura for the NXT Title at TakeOver: San Antonio.

Nakamura and Roode are two of the most respected competitors in sports-entertainment, each taking different paths to the top, but both proving themselves to be elite competitors all the same. Tonight at TakeOver: San Antonio, these in-ring greats will clash to see who will carry NXT’s most prized possession out of The Lone Star State and take their rightful place atop NXT’s throne.

Don’t miss this huge NXT Championship Match between Shinsuke Nakamura and Bobby Roode, live and exclusively on WWE Network, tonight at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

NXT Women’s Champion Asuka vs. Nikki Cross vs. Billie Kay vs. Peyton Royce (Fatal 4-Way Match)
NXT Women’s Champion Asuka will face arguably her toughest challenge yet tonight at TakeOver: San Antonio, when she puts her coveted championship on the line against Nikki Cross, Billie Kay and Peyton Royce in a Fatal 4-Way Match.

Since her arrival at NXT, The Empress of Tomorrow has been unbeatable, recently passing Paige as the longest reigning NXT Women’s Champion ever. There have been questions about which NXT competitor could present a worthy challenge for Asuka’s title. Well, we now know that it’s not one, but three Superstars who are up for the task.

Billie Kay and Peyton Royce have long run rampant in NXT, creating chaos as they continue to claim being in control of the Women’s division. On the Jan. 11 edition of NXT, the devious duo made their move toward the title by attacking Asuka outside Full Sail University before the show. The unwavering titleholder attempted to gain retribution later that night, but was overcome by the vicious Australian Superstars.

In a surprising move, the wild Nikki Cross entered the fray, clearing the ring of Kay and Royce before turning her sinister sights on the champion. As the crazed Cross stood over Asuka, it became clear that the champion had multiple challengers aiming for her title.

Asuka – who remained undeterred by the immense challenge ahead of her – demanded a match against all three of the NXT Superstars who attacked her. General Manager William Regal granted the titleholder her wish, and nowit will be Asuka, Cross, Kay and Royce in a Fatal 4-Way Match at TakeOver: San Antonio for the NXT Women’s Championship.

Since the first Superstar to claim a pinfall wins the contest and becomes NXT Women’s Champion, Asuka finds herself at a severe disadvantage in this title contest. Not only does the champion have to compete against three challengers, but she doesn’t even have to be involved in the fall to lose her title. As a result, the spirited champion’s record-breaking title reign will be in serious jeopardy in the Lone Star State.

Will a new NXT Women’s Champion be crowned at TakeOver: San Antonio? Find out tonight at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, only on WWE Network.

NXT Tag Team Champions #DIY vs. The Authors of Pain
NXT Tag Team Champions #DIY face their toughest challenge to date at TakeOver: San Antonio, when they defend their titles against the devastating Authors of Pain.

Capturing the hearts of the NXT Universe since their arrival in 2015, #DIY’s never-say-die attitude makes them nearly impossible to root against. They seemingly had the world in their corner at TakeOver: Toronto, when they defeated The Revival in an epic 2-out-of-3 Falls Match to win the NXT Tag Team Titles. Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa followed up on their Match of the Year victory with thrilling defenses against Akira Tozawa & Tajiri in Japan, and TM61 in Australia.

Meanwhile, after Akam & Rezar won the 2016 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, Paul Ellering made it clear that his monsters’ next chapter was already outlined. The Authors of Pain were coming after the titles in San Antonio, no matter who held them. Until then, the towering titans continued to carve a path of destruction, annihilating anyone who stepped in their path.

The champions’ and challengers’ paths converged on Jan. 11. After #DIY successfully retained their titles in a grueling rematch against The Revival, Ellering emerged to distract #DIY while Akam & Rezar blindsided the champions, laying them out in the middle of the ring with the Super Collider. The Authors of Pain grabbed the titles and held them up, giving the NXT Universe a preview of what may lie ahead for the champions in Texas.

Are Gargano & Ciampa able to slay Ellering’s beasts, or have The Authors of Pain written the final chapter of #DIY’s reign as NXT Tag Team Champions? Find out at NXT TakeOver: San Antonio, live tonight at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, exclusively on WWE Network!

Roderick Strong vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas
Two of NXT’s most talented Superstars, Roderick Strong and Andrade “Cien” Almas, will go head-to-head in a must-see showdown at TakeOver: San Antonio, live tonight on WWE Network.

Despite coming from vastly different backgrounds, the “Messiah of the Backbreaker” and Almas have significant similarities. Both are world-renowned competitors who arrived at NXT with high expectations and loads of promise. Though still relatively new to the NXT Universe – especially Strong, who debuted in October – both squared-circle competitors certainly expect to find themselves contending for the NXT Championship in the near future.

Strong and Almas had an opportunity to challenge for the coveted title when they competed in a Fatal 4-Way No. 1 Contender Elimination Match on the Dec. 21 NXT. Neither man prevailed in the contest, though Strong eliminated Almas from the bout with his Sick Kick.

After winning his rematch against Oney Lorcan, Almas called out Strong, making it clear the Florida native is his next target. The fiery luchador will get his wish at TakeOver: San Antonio, when he faces Strong in a matchup that has in-ring classic written all over it.

With this high-profile showdown potentially going a long way toward propelling the victor into NXT Title contention, there’s more than just pride on the line. Who will walk out of The Lone Star State with a “W” next to their name?

Find out at NXT TakeOver: San Antonio, live and exclusively on WWE Network, tonight at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT!

Tye Dillinger vs. Eric Young
Tye Dillinger has felt the wrath of SAnitY on multiple occasions, but at NXT TakeOver: San Antonio, The Perfect 10 will get his chance at retribution when he takes on the chaotic crew’s leader, Eric Young.

SAnitY made its initial impact in NXT at the expense of Dillinger, steamrolling over The Perfect 10 and ending his quest to win the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and honor his late mentor, The American Dream. After the attack, however, Dillinger put his pursuit of payback on hold as he chased after the NXT Championship. A loss to then-champion Samoa Joe, along with an attempt to become No. 1 contender that came up short, left Dillinger wondering if he belonged in NXT.

Admittedly feeling less than his lofty moniker, The Perfect 10 confessed to the NXT Universe that he had considered quitting after his setbacks, but thanks to the belief that NXT General Manager William Regal and the fans have in him, he’s on the way back up. Still, Eric Young saw a dejected Dillinger as a wayward soul in search of a home. Young said that The Perfect 10 could have anything he wanted – if he joined SAnitY. Alexander Wolfe offered Dillinger a leather jacket, seemingly to welcome The Perfect 10 into the fold. Dillinger appeared to seriously contemplate the offer, only to throw it to the ground and refuse Young’s offer with a right hand.

Keeping Young and Wolfe under control, The Perfect 10 had Young in position for the Tye-Breaker. Unfortunately for him, he was tackled to the canvas moments later by the monstrous Killian Dain, who went on to accept Young’s invitation to join SAnitY.

Dillinger gets his opportunity at payback in San Antonio, though he may have to overcome the numbers game to get it, as SAnitY rarely travels alone. Will The Perfect 10 get the retribution he’s been seeking, or will Eric Young and SAnitY continue to unleash chaos in NXT? Find out at NXT TakeOver: San Antonio, live tonight at 8 ET/5 PT, exclusively on WWE Network!

Don’t miss the NXT TakeOver: San Antonio Pre-Show tonight
Tonight is sure to be one of the biggest nights in NXT history, as NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura faces his most glorious challenge yet in Bobby Roode at TakeOver: San Antonio.

Coverage of this epic event begins tonight at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT with the one-hour NXT TakeOver: San Antonio Pre-Show. During the Pre-Show, a panel of experts — including Charly Caruso, Corey Graves and Nigel McGuinness — will break down the night of action and analyze what it means for the future of NXT and its Superstars. Plus, the winners of the 2016 NXT Year-End Awards will be revealed! The NXT TakeOver: San Antonio Pre-Show airs on WWE Network, WWE.com, the WWE App, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest.

Then, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, NXT TakeOver: San Antonio goes LIVE on WWE Network. All of NXT’s championships will be defended on a night that features the following matches:

NXT Championship Match
Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Bobby Roode (PREVIEW)

NXT Women’s Championship Fatal 4-Way Match
Asuka (c) vs. Billie Kay vs. Peyton Royce vs. Nikki Cross (PREVIEW)

NXT Tag Team Championship Match
#DIY (c) vs. The Authors of Pain (PREVIEW)

Tye Dillinger vs. Eric Young (PREVIEW)

Roderick Strong vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas (PREVIEW)

It all goes down tonight on WWE Network! If you start your free trial today, you’ll be able to watch NXT TakeOver: San Antonio and the 30th annual Royal Rumble on Sunday, featuring 30 Superstars battling for the chance to main event WrestleMania. Don’t miss a moment of the action – sign up for WWE Network now!

 

[Drew]

Haven't watched a ton of NXT lately but watched the last show. I'll probably catch this tonight if not a rerun.

 

[Sabretooth]

The three title matches are unpredictable imo so I'll be L looking forward to this. I'm more glad we get the two best theme songs in WWE against each other.

 

[Kross Rhodes]

I'm giddy AF over Nigel McGuinness covering an NXT event.

 

[Kross Rhodes]

That arena is gonna look mighty empty for NXT. Crazy.

 

[Kross Rhodes]

Nigel replacing Graves is a smart move IMO.

 

[Kross Rhodes]

I change my vote. SAnitY wins breakout.

 

[Kross Rhodes]

Nigel ducking out of the questions by saying he's not a citizen. Hilarious.

 

[Kross Rhodes]

Revival deserves all the plaques.

 

[Kross Rhodes]

Dawson doesn't mean the beverage.

 

[Kross Rhodes]

I especially think it'll be Cross winning cause a Cross/Moon match at Miami is money.

 

[Kross Rhodes]

Her red eyes are distracting when she's cutting a promo.

 

[Kross Rhodes]

Gotta be Asuka.

 

[Deezy]

This boring ass prelim card convinced me to watch NXT.

 

[Deezy]

This interview chick can get it