wrestling / Columns

NXT Takeover: Back 2 Brooklyn Preview

August 19, 2016 | Posted by RSarnecky

Last week, “The Piledriver Report” gave an early prediction on the matches for the upcoming SummerSlam pay per view event. This week, it’s NXT’s turn to get the preview treatment.

Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Bobby Roode
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The former La Sombra has been wrestling since 2003. It’s amazing to think that at 26 years old, he has been wrestling for 13 years already. Since arriving to NXT, his biggest match took place at NXT Takeover: The End against Tye Dillinger. After spending almost twelve years in TNA, months of speculation ended when Bobby Roode finally debuted in the WWE on NXT television on August 3rd. The fans have been anticipating Roode’s arrival ever since he appeared on camera at NXT Takeover: Dallas. I can’t see them having Roode lose his first big NXT match. WINNER: BOBBY ROODE

No Way Jose vs. Austin Aries
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Austin Aries is further proof that this isn’t your father’s Vince McMahon led wrestling company. Standing at only 5 feet 9 inches, and barely breaking 200 pounds, I never expected to ever see Aries work for the WWE. When Austin Aries was in TNA, he really came into his own as a character when he turned heel. While Aries came into NXT as a face, he quickly returned to his more entertaining evil persona earlier this summer when he turned on NXT newcomer No Way Jose. The WWE has been looking for a Latin star ever since the waning days of Rey Mysterio’s WWE career. At 6 foot 3 inches and 245 pounds, the 28 years old Dominican Republic native could quite possibly be the man that the WWE has been looking for. This is No Way Jose’s first major feud in NXT, and I say “no way, Jose” that he loses. WINNER: NO WAY JOSE

The Revival (c) vs. Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa NXT Tag Team Championship Match
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Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder are NXT’s top heel tag team. They have feuded with former NXT babyface duos of Enzo and Big Cass, as well as the American Alpha. Since November 11th of last year, Dash and Dawson were either the NXT Tag Team Champions, or they were in the mix to compete for the titles. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa debuted in NXT during the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Tournament last September. Since neither man officially signed a WWE contract, they were used sparingly. However, both men are now under contract, and look to be the next corner stone babyface tag team of the NXT brand. In June, Gargano and Ciampa scored a victory over the Revival. In the main roster 50/50 world of WWE booking, this would be a clear indication that Dawson and Dash should leave Brooklyn with their tag team belts firmly around their wastes. However, NXT is not booked like the WWE’s main roster. With that said, I can easily see the title switch hands, and the Revival move to SmackDown to beef up that brand’s tag team division while rekindling their NXT rivalry with the American Alpha. WINNERS: JOHNNY GARGANO and TOMMASO CIAMPA

Asuka (c) vs. Bayley NXT Women’s Championship Match
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One year ago, Bayley defeated Sasha Banks for the NXT Women’s title at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn. Bayley has been the top female competitor in NXT while her top competition; Charlotte, Sasha Banks, and Becky Lynch all moved onto the main roster. Bayley dropped the belt to Asuka at NXT Takeover: Dallas in a unique match that hasn’t been seen in a WWE ring with their female competitors. NXT Takeover: Brooklyn II will be the first time Bayley and Asuka wrestle each other since their match in Dallas during WrestleMania weekend. Most feel that Bayley should be on the main roster, and not languishing in development. Rumors have suggested that Bayley will make her long awaited trip to the WWE’s main roster shortly after SummerSlam. When Bayley made a surprise appearance at Battleground, teaming with Sasha Banks for “one night only,” she received one of the loudest pops of the night. It became perfectly clear that the WWE needs to bring Bayley up to the main roster on a permanent basis pretty soon. If the WWE does bring up Bayley in a few weeks, that would mean that Bayley will lose to Asuka. However, I think the WWE will surprise the fans by having her win the NXT Women’s Championship while still debuting on the WWE’s main roster at the same time. WINNER: BAYLEY

Samoa Joe (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura NXT Championship Match
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Samoa Joe vs. Shinsuke Nakamura reminds me of a dream match that we would see finally take place at a Ring of Honor event. To see Joe vs. Nakamura taking place under the WWE banner is pretty surreal. Both men have run through the best of the NXT roster during their short stints in the developmental brand. Samoa Joe has defeated former TNA compadre Eric Young, Kevin Owens, Baron Corbin, Enzo Amore/Big Cass, Dawson/Wilder, Finn Balor, and Sami Zayn. Shinsuke Nakamura has taken on Sami Zayn, Tye Dillinger, Austin Aries, and Finn Balor. Both Samoa Joe and Shinsuke Nakamura should both be fighting at SummerSlam on the main roster, and not wrestling the night before in development. I believe that the loser of this match will be the winner, at least in the short term. I think the wrestler that loses this match will be debuting on the main roster shortly after NXT Takeover: Brooklyn II. I think that man will be Samoa Joe, and Nakamura will continue his dominance in NXT. WINNER: SHINSUKE NAKAMURA