Despite losing the Wednesday Night Wars, on a frequent basis, NXT has been very good lately and the matches on this card have been built well - this, like the majority of the Takeover's, will be a great show.
With the exception of Adam Cole defending his NXT Championship against Velveteen Dream, that match will be cinematic and was recorded last week, the other five matches will be broadcast live from Full Sail University in Orlando Florida.
Sunday will be the first TakeOver event to be held at Full Sail since The End in 2016.
This will be the first live WWE Network event since the company introduced Performance Center trainees in the audience, playing the role as members of the WWE Universe, so that should add to the atmosphere on the night.
The pre-show starts at 23:30, British Summer Time, 7 pm Eastern and 4 pm Pacific.
Finn Bàlor Vs. Damian Priest.
On the April 22nd episode of NXT, Finn Bàlor was set to face The Velveteen Dream in the main event, but was attacked backstage by a mystery assailant before the match could take place.
As Bàlor was engaged in a feud with Imperium, all fingers pointed to them being the culprits of the ambush, and when he returned to television - the former NXT Champion said it was straight out of the wrestling playbook to "attack the guy and get the push" but in this instant, the perpetrator wouldn't be "pushed", they would be "squashed".
During a match with Cameron Grimes, Bàlor was hit from behind by Damian Priest and as a result lost that contest. In the aftermath, Priest hit Bàlor with a Reckoning, on a steel chair, then placed the weapon on Bàlor's neck and said "if I want my name to live forever, why not take on a Prince. The only thing I didn't know is that I would enjoy it so much, just like I enjoyed it three weeks ago". It was Priest all along.
A week after beating Bàlor down, Priest claimed he was going to "turn the name of Finn Bàlor to ash" and the reason he putting a hurting on him was because he wants his name to "live forever".
Bàlor responded by stating he was going to "bury" Priest at TakeOver and Priest "has been treading water for the last year" while he is "20 years towards eternity" and refuses be The Archer of Infamy's "lifeline".
This rivalry has been well executed from the beginning and these two will have a great match together. The lack of physical interaction, they haven't had contact since May 13th, has built suspense to the showdown and both men are brilliant inside the squared circle. The Prince has only lost two matches since returning to the black and gold brand, while Priest needs a win after losing his last high profile match to Keith Lee. Before this feud began, Bàlor had his eyes on the NXT Championship and a win here will put him back in contention for the title.
Prediction: Finn Bàlor.
Keith Lee (c) Vs. Johnny Gargano (NXT North American Championship).
The issues between Keith Lee and Johnny Gargano began when the latter called the NXT North American Champion the latest "flavor of the month" and claimed he was "nothing", during a 'Dinner with The Garganos' segment on May 13th. Gargano's wife, Candice LeRae, also called out Mia Yim for being "undeserving" of stepping in the ring with NXT Women's Champion Charlotte Flair and accused Yim of "pandering" to the NXT Universe.
During a match with Cameron Grimes, Bàlor was hit from behind by Damian Priest and as a result lost that contest. In the aftermath, Priest hit Bàlor with a Reckoning, on a steel chair, then placed the weapon on Bàlor's neck and said "if I want my name to live forever, why not take on a Prince. The only thing I didn't know is that I would enjoy it so much, just like I enjoyed it three weeks ago". It was Priest all along.
A week after beating Bàlor down, Priest claimed he was going to "turn the name of Finn Bàlor to ash" and the reason he putting a hurting on him was because he wants his name to "live forever".
Bàlor responded by stating he was going to "bury" Priest at TakeOver and Priest "has been treading water for the last year" while he is "20 years towards eternity" and refuses be The Archer of Infamy's "lifeline".
This rivalry has been well executed from the beginning and these two will have a great match together. The lack of physical interaction, they haven't had contact since May 13th, has built suspense to the showdown and both men are brilliant inside the squared circle. The Prince has only lost two matches since returning to the black and gold brand, while Priest needs a win after losing his last high profile match to Keith Lee. Before this feud began, Bàlor had his eyes on the NXT Championship and a win here will put him back in contention for the title.
Prediction: Finn Bàlor.
Keith Lee (c) Vs. Johnny Gargano (NXT North American Championship).
The issues between Keith Lee and Johnny Gargano began when the latter called the NXT North American Champion the latest "flavor of the month" and claimed he was "nothing", during a 'Dinner with The Garganos' segment on May 13th. Gargano's wife, Candice LeRae, also called out Mia Yim for being "undeserving" of stepping in the ring with NXT Women's Champion Charlotte Flair and accused Yim of "pandering" to the NXT Universe.
A week later, after Mia Yim defeated Santana Garrett, the Garganos made their way to the ring and while Johnny distracted Yim - Candice LeRae attacked her from behind until Lee made the save. Later that night, The Limitless one said he had a problem with the "new Gargano way" and challenged him to a match at TakeOver: In Your House.
This rivalry took a hilarious turn when Lee and Yim staged their own 'Dinner with The Garganos' and the former used lines like "my name is Johnny Gargano, I have something in common with my action figures as we are the same size" to mock his adversary. Towards the end of the segment, Lee got serious and told Gargano that his attempts to harm Yim had "consequences".
On the go-home show to this pay-per-view, LeRae (with Gargano in her corner) and Yim (with Lee accompanying her to ring side), were set to settle their issues but the match ended in a double count out.
A brawl broke out after the match, that included Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzàlez, Tegan Nox and Shotzi Blackheart. In an attempt to regain some order, NXT General Manager William Regal, made a mixed tag team match with Gargano and Lee joining up with their respective partners. The Garganos picked up the win, after LeRae pinned Yim, but not before Mr All Heart, No Soul stuck the North American Champion in the eye with his car key.
Lee has had a long run with the North American title, he's held it since January, but with Garnano's only turning heel a few months ago - he needs a win to solidly him as one of the top villains in NXT. The eye injury, Lee sustained on the latest edition of NXT, could play a part in the finish to the match - Gargano will exploit that area and become the first man to win the North American title twice.
Winner: Johnny Gargano.
This rivalry took a hilarious turn when Lee and Yim staged their own 'Dinner with The Garganos' and the former used lines like "my name is Johnny Gargano, I have something in common with my action figures as we are the same size" to mock his adversary. Towards the end of the segment, Lee got serious and told Gargano that his attempts to harm Yim had "consequences".
On the go-home show to this pay-per-view, LeRae (with Gargano in her corner) and Yim (with Lee accompanying her to ring side), were set to settle their issues but the match ended in a double count out.
A brawl broke out after the match, that included Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzàlez, Tegan Nox and Shotzi Blackheart. In an attempt to regain some order, NXT General Manager William Regal, made a mixed tag team match with Gargano and Lee joining up with their respective partners. The Garganos picked up the win, after LeRae pinned Yim, but not before Mr All Heart, No Soul stuck the North American Champion in the eye with his car key.
Lee has had a long run with the North American title, he's held it since January, but with Garnano's only turning heel a few months ago - he needs a win to solidly him as one of the top villains in NXT. The eye injury, Lee sustained on the latest edition of NXT, could play a part in the finish to the match - Gargano will exploit that area and become the first man to win the North American title twice.
Winner: Johnny Gargano.
Shotzi Blackheart, Mia Yim & Tegan Nox Vs. Raquel Gonzàlez, Candice LeRae & Dakota Kai.
These six women have had plenty off issues with each other this year and way before that in the case of Tegan Nox and Dakota Kai.
It was at NXT TakeOver: WarGames last November when Kai shocked the world by turning on Nox and the two have been trading wins ever since. Kai has used Raquel Gonzàlez to try and finally get rid of Nox but the Welsh native hasn't forgiven Kai for betraying her and their issues are far from over. Nox has found an ally in Shotzi Blackheart and those two have gone after Kai and Gonzàlez at every opportunity.
Mia Yim and Candice LeRae have found themselves in the middle of their partners feud, covered in the article above, and whatever the result here - they will have a one-on-one match in the near future to find out who the better woman is.
Both teams need a win here as none of the six women have any real momentum at the moment, due to 50/50 booking. LaRae pinned Yim on the this weeks episode of NXT, I can see the latter getting her win back this Sunday.
Winners: Mia Yim, Teagan Nox & Shotzi Blackheart.
Tommaso Ciampa Vs. Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett.
When it comes to making a statement on your first appearance on NXT, attacking one of the cornerstones of the black and gold brand is the right way to do it. That's exactly what Karrion Kross did on April 15th when he assaulted Tommaso Ciampa backstage.
In the weeks after taking Ciampa out, Kross warned that "doomsday" was coming to NXT and that Ciampa was his first "victim". In the following weeks, Kross kept his word - hammering opponent after opponent in short order.
After a month away, Ciampa returned to NXT to confront Kross and told him NXT was "his home" and that he wasn't going to allow Kross to make a name for himself at his expense. He called Kross a "special talent" and made the challenge for NXT TakeOver: In Your House.
After Ciampa defeated Leon Ruff, on May 27th, Kross appeared on the TitanTron and said their match would be "special" and that he was going to make the former NXT Champion "feel something he has never felt before in his life".
The war of words continued this week when Ciampa stated that some wrestlers are "special" and then there is Tommaso Ciampa and this would be his thirteenth TakeOver and was unsure if Kross could handle the "pressure" of the bright lights being on him at the event.
This has potential to be match of the year as both styles suit each other, it will be a very physical encounter. Kross is making his TakeOver debut and needs to continue his unblemished run in NXT - while another loss for The Blackheart won't hurt him as he is already solidified himself as one of the greatest wrestlers in NXT history.
Winner: Karrion Kross.
Rhea Ripley Vs. Charlotte Flair (c) Vs. Io Shiari (NXT Women's Championship).
After Charlotte Flair defeated Rhea Ripley, on Day 2 of WrestleMania 36, she declared herself the "greatest women's champion in NXT history" and vowed to take the black and gold brand to "another level" as the leader of the woman's division.
Io Shiari won a number one contenders Ladder Match, on April 7th, to earn at title shot and her match with Flair ended with a disqualification after The Queen grew frustrated at her inability to put the Evil Genius of the Sky away and hit her with a kendo stick. The attack continued, post match, until Ripley made her first appearance since WrestleMania and went after Flair - who ran away from The Nightmare. As Ripley was being interviewed backstage, Shiari approached her and a fight broke out between the two - they were eventually separated by officials.
Two weeks later, Ripley and Shiari went one-on-one but Flair interrupted and beat-down both of her rivals thus leading to this Triple Threat Match.
Seven days later - Flair, using the ropes for leverage, pinned Shiari in a tag team match that included Chelsea Green and Ripley.
The great thing about this match is all thing women have a chance of winning, making the contest unpredictable and exciting.
Shiari has had a number of brilliant matches in the past year, her match with Candice LeRae at TakeOver: Toronto, was one of the best matches of 2019 and she deserves to finally get her hands on the title that has alluded her she since made her NXT debut in 2018.
Ripley had a great 2019 - winning at WarGames, Survivor Series and pinning Flair on Smackdown. She represented NXT well and has looked strong since she returned to television two months ago.
Flair has brought prestige and star power to NXT and won't drop the title this soon. As a Raw superstar, the red brand's current champion is already engaged in a feud, so Flair would have very little room to maneuver on Monday night's. Whoever isn't involved in the fall, should be Flair's next contender for the title.
Winner: Charlotte Flair.
Adam Cole (c) Vs. The Velveteen Dream (Backlot Brawl for The NXT Championship).
After chasing Adam Cole and the NXT Championship for months, The Velveteen Dream will get his
last shot at the leader of The Undisputed ERA this Sunday. In a summit with NXT General Manager William Regal, Cole only agreed to this match on the condition of Dream not receiving another title opportunity while he is the champion.
These six women have had plenty off issues with each other this year and way before that in the case of Tegan Nox and Dakota Kai.
It was at NXT TakeOver: WarGames last November when Kai shocked the world by turning on Nox and the two have been trading wins ever since. Kai has used Raquel Gonzàlez to try and finally get rid of Nox but the Welsh native hasn't forgiven Kai for betraying her and their issues are far from over. Nox has found an ally in Shotzi Blackheart and those two have gone after Kai and Gonzàlez at every opportunity.
Mia Yim and Candice LeRae have found themselves in the middle of their partners feud, covered in the article above, and whatever the result here - they will have a one-on-one match in the near future to find out who the better woman is.
Both teams need a win here as none of the six women have any real momentum at the moment, due to 50/50 booking. LaRae pinned Yim on the this weeks episode of NXT, I can see the latter getting her win back this Sunday.
Winners: Mia Yim, Teagan Nox & Shotzi Blackheart.
Tommaso Ciampa Vs. Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett.
When it comes to making a statement on your first appearance on NXT, attacking one of the cornerstones of the black and gold brand is the right way to do it. That's exactly what Karrion Kross did on April 15th when he assaulted Tommaso Ciampa backstage.
In the weeks after taking Ciampa out, Kross warned that "doomsday" was coming to NXT and that Ciampa was his first "victim". In the following weeks, Kross kept his word - hammering opponent after opponent in short order.
After a month away, Ciampa returned to NXT to confront Kross and told him NXT was "his home" and that he wasn't going to allow Kross to make a name for himself at his expense. He called Kross a "special talent" and made the challenge for NXT TakeOver: In Your House.
After Ciampa defeated Leon Ruff, on May 27th, Kross appeared on the TitanTron and said their match would be "special" and that he was going to make the former NXT Champion "feel something he has never felt before in his life".
The war of words continued this week when Ciampa stated that some wrestlers are "special" and then there is Tommaso Ciampa and this would be his thirteenth TakeOver and was unsure if Kross could handle the "pressure" of the bright lights being on him at the event.
This has potential to be match of the year as both styles suit each other, it will be a very physical encounter. Kross is making his TakeOver debut and needs to continue his unblemished run in NXT - while another loss for The Blackheart won't hurt him as he is already solidified himself as one of the greatest wrestlers in NXT history.
Winner: Karrion Kross.
Rhea Ripley Vs. Charlotte Flair (c) Vs. Io Shiari (NXT Women's Championship).
After Charlotte Flair defeated Rhea Ripley, on Day 2 of WrestleMania 36, she declared herself the "greatest women's champion in NXT history" and vowed to take the black and gold brand to "another level" as the leader of the woman's division.
Io Shiari won a number one contenders Ladder Match, on April 7th, to earn at title shot and her match with Flair ended with a disqualification after The Queen grew frustrated at her inability to put the Evil Genius of the Sky away and hit her with a kendo stick. The attack continued, post match, until Ripley made her first appearance since WrestleMania and went after Flair - who ran away from The Nightmare. As Ripley was being interviewed backstage, Shiari approached her and a fight broke out between the two - they were eventually separated by officials.
Two weeks later, Ripley and Shiari went one-on-one but Flair interrupted and beat-down both of her rivals thus leading to this Triple Threat Match.
Seven days later - Flair, using the ropes for leverage, pinned Shiari in a tag team match that included Chelsea Green and Ripley.
The great thing about this match is all thing women have a chance of winning, making the contest unpredictable and exciting.
Shiari has had a number of brilliant matches in the past year, her match with Candice LeRae at TakeOver: Toronto, was one of the best matches of 2019 and she deserves to finally get her hands on the title that has alluded her she since made her NXT debut in 2018.
Ripley had a great 2019 - winning at WarGames, Survivor Series and pinning Flair on Smackdown. She represented NXT well and has looked strong since she returned to television two months ago.
Flair has brought prestige and star power to NXT and won't drop the title this soon. As a Raw superstar, the red brand's current champion is already engaged in a feud, so Flair would have very little room to maneuver on Monday night's. Whoever isn't involved in the fall, should be Flair's next contender for the title.
Winner: Charlotte Flair.
Adam Cole (c) Vs. The Velveteen Dream (Backlot Brawl for The NXT Championship).
After chasing Adam Cole and the NXT Championship for months, The Velveteen Dream will get his
last shot at the leader of The Undisputed ERA this Sunday. In a summit with NXT General Manager William Regal, Cole only agreed to this match on the condition of Dream not receiving another title opportunity while he is the champion.
Cole's issues with Dream can be traced back to last October when him and the rest of The Undisputed Era threw The Dream off a truck, in the parking lot, and took him out of action for several months.
Upon his return from injury, 16 weeks later, Dream immediately targeted the his foes - mainly Roderick Strong and the psychological warfare begun, with Dream wearing ring attire with the faces of Strong's wife and child on them. Strong and Dream faced off in a Steel Cage Match, in which the latter lost on purpose but locked himself in side the structure with Cole and put a beating on The Panama City Playboy.
Dream revealed that his plan all along was to get his hands on Cole and more importantly - the NXT Title and was only using Strong as a "pawn". Dream got his wish on the May 6th edition of NXT but lost due to distractions from the other member of the Undisputed ERA.
The two have had plenty of verbal back and forth, with Cole saying Velveteen's dream of winning the title will "be over" at TakeOver and Dream does not "deserve" this final chance at the title.
The Dream reminded Cole that he has beaten him in the past, a tag match on April 22nd, and he will be "the greatest NXT Champion of them all" when he beats Cole.
This will be the first Backlot Brawl in NXT history and with the match having no disqualification the rest of the Undisputed ERA can interfere. Dream has found an unlikely allay in Dexter Lumis but how much can he truly trust him?
This match is intriguing as Dream won't be able to challenge Cole again and Cole has beaten most of the roster during his historic 369 day run as NXT Champion.
A story broke this week that Cole's contract is up in two months and he may be looking to join his girlfriend, Dr. Britt Baker, in All Elite Wrestling. If this report is true - the WWE are unlikely to want a key member of their roster, who has not committed his long term future to them, to be in possession of an important title.
It's not quite now or never for The Velveteen Dream but he has lost high profile matches in the past and another defeat may damage him in the eyes of the WWE Universe. All good things come to an end, Cole's run with the NXT Title is the latest thing to fall into the category.
Winner: The Velveteen Dream.
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