Looking At What’s Next For WWE NXT Following Takover: Rival

– Everyone involved in NXT programming displayed yet again during NXT Takeover: Rival why they are the most exciting part of the entire WWE brand at the moment. The in-ring competition, the fan reactions, the emotion, the commentary, the storytelling-everything about NXT is what wrestling fans truly love about the industry. The fifth edition of NXT live specials didn’t disappoint. What was apparent after tonight is that the power has shifted in the land of the rising stars. What’s next for the NXT program in the following weeks, leading up to the groups next live special?

 

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Hideo Itami Continues to Rise

In my “Which NXT Wrestlers Will Break Out at NXT Takerover: Rival” column, I predicted that it would be Hideo Itami’s coming out party. Each week Itami has been a part of NXT, he has continued to evolve and adjust to the American wrestling style right before our eyes. In tonight’s bout, both he and Tyler Breeze showcased why they are both headed in the right direction in NXT. Although Breeze is a talented worker in his own right, it was Itami who shined throughout the match, displaying his devastating array of kicks in a variety of different ways. This match looked to be his most confident one to date. One thing that I believe will truly put him over with the Full Sail University crowd is when he eventually hits his finishing move from Japan, the GTS. Ever since R-Evolution, Itami has been teasing the move, but has yet to accomplish it. While tonight seemed to be the night he would finally hit it, again he tried, and again he failed. The angst of the fans in wanting to see this move is apparent-and when he finally hits it, Itami will become one of the most popular wrestlers in NXT.

 

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Where Does the Tag Division Go From Here?

At Takeover: Rival, Blake and Murphy successfully defended their newly won Tag Team championships against the Lucha Dragons. With Sin Cara already splitting time between WWE and NXT and Kalisto seemingly ready to make the jump to the main show, who is up next for a Tag Team title shot? The Vaudevillains could be next; however, at this stage, they seem to have more of a set role as putting teams over. The team of Enzo Amore and Big Cass haven’t seen much air time as of late. This could be the perfect time to pull the trigger on two teams currently making the rounds at NXT live events. The team of Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson, known as “The Mechanics” has been getting positive reviews, and although they have appeared on NXT television, they would be a fresh matchup for Blake and Murphy. Another team that can be used against the champions is a team yet to debut on television: Shoot Nation. Made up of Chad Gable, Sawyer Fulton, Angelo Dawkins, Jason Jordan and Tucker Knight, this faction plays off of their amateur wrestling backgrounds and would be a welcomed addition to the tag team division.

 

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The WWE Needs to Take Notes on the Women’s Division

Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Bayley and newly crowned champion Sasha Banks put on a match that could rival-no pun intended-matches from men on both Raw and Smackdown. If you haven’t watched women’s matches in NXT, you are truly missing out on something special. Each woman brings something different to the table, while they all showcase it in their own ways. One is to think that once they get moved to the main roster, maybe the Diva’s division will flourish; if you think that, you are sorely mistaken. Remember, before these women, there were Paige, Emma and Summer Rae who all graced an NXT ring before, frankly, being downgraded to joining the Diva’s division. Even Nikki and Brie Bella could be really good in the ring; the WWE just doesn’t give them the platform to showcase it. If Vince McMahon can learn that women’s wrestling can be just as entertaining as men, the Diva’s division has a bright future.

 

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Finn Balor is Officially in the Main Event Picture

There was never a question if Finn Balor would be a part of the main event scene, but when. The former Prince Devitt cemented himself into the main event picture by defeating Adrian Neville in the Number One contenders match at Takeover: Rival. The match itself was outstanding; both Balor and Neville are two of the most talented wrestlers in the world, and both didn’t disappoint in their match that had high stakes attached to it. Balor has everything the WWE loves in their wrestlers. Although he isn’t the ideal height that they like, he certainly has the build, the look, the charisma and the “it-factor” that will make him a star on the main roster. A feud with the NXT Champion will only certify that he is WWE material. Speaking of which…

 

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Kevin Owens Rises to the Top

As Owens put it, after two months to the day of his debut, he put Sami Zayn’s emotional NXT title reign to an abrupt halt and captured the NXT Championship at Takeover: Rival. Owens dominated the bout, winning the belt by stoppage from the referee after the pummeling of Zayn made it too hard for him to continue the match. With Owens as champion, NXT is in for a rude of awakening. Owens is the definition of a brawler, and when you mix that with his passion, unique look and talented in-ring ability, it will be hard for someone to overtake his spot for a very long time. With Owens now branded as the face of NXT and his impending feud with Finn Balor, the future, yet again, looks bright for WWE’s developmental system.

 

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The Change of the Guards

Adrian Neville has accomplished everything there is to accomplish in NXT. Sami Zayn has more than proved in his stay at NXT that he can be a fan favorite on the WWE roster. Kalisto, Sin Cara and Charlotte have also made the most of their time in NXT and seemed primed to be on WWE television soon. But as the old saying goes, out with the old and in with the new. Kevin Owens, Finn Balor, Sasha Banks, Hideo Itami, Barin Corbin and others have been given the time to groom in front of the Full Sail University crowd, and it seems to be their time to be main players for NXT.

Triple H did another fantastic job putting together a live special for NXT. The way he puts everything together and lets the young talent gain experience before joining the WWE is truly special, and it shows how much Triple H cares for the wrestling business and wants it to continue to grow and evolve. The countdown to the next live special begins now.

What do you think? Comment below with your thoughts, opinions, feedback and anything else that was raised.