WWE NXT Takeover Dallas Preview
It is finally here, WrestleMania week. There are just a few more days until the biggest show of the year. Before WWE takes center stage Sunday night, NXT,the company developmental system takes center stage Friday night with NXT Takeover Dallas. Here is a preview of each match on the card, and predictions of who I think will win each match:
Austin Aries Vs Baron Corbin
Few weeks ago on NXT, after weeks and weeks of speculation and rumors about Austin Aries signing with the company, Aries finally made his debut in the company, surprising a lot of people. While Aries was making his entrance, he was attacked by NXT superstar Baron Corbin. Because of that attack, General Manager William Regal made a match putting the two of them against each other at NXT Takeover Dallas. This is going to be Aries’ first match with the company.
Even though Aries is new to the WWE, he is not new to the sport of pro wrestling. Aries is a well rounded veteran, who has been a star all over the world gaining a lot of fans. What makes Aries a good in-ring performer is his technical wrestling ability, as he is known for using a lot of grappling and submissions in his wrestling. Even though he is 37 years old, he can still move around the ring, but maybe not as good as he used to. He is mostly known for his work in Total Nonstop Action and Ring Of Honor.
Corbin is an NXT veteran being with the companies developmental system since 2012. Most people that have the talent that Corbin has are called up to the main roster by now, but not him. Corbin loves to use his size to his advantage in the ring, being the powerhouse that he is. At 31 years old, it feels like it is only a matter of time before Corbin is called up to Raw or SmackDown. Getting a win over Aries might be the thing that he needs to open the door for him in the main roster. Before attacking Aries, Corbin was involved in a triple threat number one contenders match for the NXT championship in which he lost.
The buildup for this match has been good storyline wise. The veteran in Aries, who is known all around the world coming into the company while the another guy in Corbin trying to make a name for himself attacking him on his first night.
At the end of the day, it is highly doubtful that the company wants someone who is a mega star like Aries to lose his first ever match in the company. This match should be fun to watch, but I have to give the win to Aries in this match.
Winner: Austin Aries
The Revival Champion vs American Alpha Tag Team match for NXT Tag Team Championship
On the March 16th edition of NXT, Jason Jordan and Chad Gable, known as American Alpha, defeated The Vaudevillians. With the win, Gable and Jordan earned the right to face Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder, known as The Revival at NXT Takeover Dallas for NXT Tag Team Championship. Dawson and Wilder successfully defended the title at WWE Roadblock against Enzo and Cass.
Gable and Jordan are two young talents that are ready for a push in NXT, these two love to use their amateur wrestling background in the ring. It is shown in the matches that Gable and Jordan uses the background to their advantage.
Dash and Wilder are like an old school wrestling tag team in the modern era. There is a reason why they have been tag team champions for this long, it is because they have been dominating the tag team division, beating every tag team in their path. These two like to use the technical style of wrestling in the ring during the matches.
For the past few months, the fans have really got behind American Alpha, making them a hot product in the NXT Tag Team division. So if the company wants to give Gable and Jordan a push, the time to push them is right now by giving them a tag team title reign. So I have to give the win to American Alpha, and we are going to see new tag team champions.
Winner: American Alpha
Apollo Crews vs Elias Samson
Debuting last year at NXT Takeover Brooklyn, Apollo Crews made quite the name for himself in NXT in the seven months he has been competing in the company. Elias Samson has been with the company since 2014, as he is looking to make a name for himself in NXT.
Crews is a powerhouse type of wrestler who can move in the ring, he has proven that time and time again. He has the tools to become a baby face in NXT, and it is only a matter of time before it is his time to shine in NXT.
Samson has been in the shadows time and time again during his time in NXT, as he has not been given a lot of air time on the show. As of the past few weeks, Samson has been starting to get more airtime since his repackaging of his gimmick.
This match could go two ways, WWE could wish to give Crews a win at the biggest show of the year to make him look stronger. The other way the company could go is by giving Samson a chance for once. It is a tough call, but it looks like the company thinks Samson could be something good, so it would be smarter to give him a push. At the end of the day, I have to give the win to Samson.
Winner: Elias Samson
Sami Zayn vs Shinsuke Nakamura
After weeks of fighting Samoa Joe to determine who is the number one contender to fight Finn Balor for the NXT Championship, NXT General Manager William Regal announced at Takeover Dallas that Sami Zayn will be facing WWE newest signing Japanese wrestling mega star Shinsuke Nakamura in his first match in the WWE.
Zayn is most likely the heart and soul of NXT, when someone talks about NXT, they will think of Sami Zayn. Zayn is a high flyer loving to take risk in the ring. When he is not flying, Zayn is known for using technical wrestling to his game plan.
Since he is a mega star in Japan, there is obviously a big buzz going around about Nakamura. This guy is legitimately really fun to watch in the ring. Nakamura is known for using a lot of striking in his wrestling, more importantly leg strikes. A lot of US fans have never seen him before, so this will be a treat to see him in the WWE.
With Zayn leaving NXT right after this match, since he is already called up to the main roster and having a match at mania, it makes sense to give Nakamura the win in his debut, since this is his first match in the company and he is a high profile wrestler known around the world.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Bayley Champion vs. Asuka for NXT Women’s Championship
A few weeks ago, Bayley was defending her title vs Carmela in which she successfully defended. After the match, Eva Marie and Nia Jax attacked them, Asuka made the safe for Bayley and Carmela. After she saved them, Asuka made it clear she wanted the NXT Women’s Championship. General Manager William Regal made it official a few weeks ago, announcing that Bayley will defend her title vs Asuka at NXT Takeover Dallas.
Ever since winning the NXT Women’s Championship at NXT takeover Brooklyn, defeating Sasha Banks, Bayley has been on a huge roll. There is a reason why Bayley has been champion for awhile, and it is because she has beat everyone that came to her path. Bayley is a well rounded wrestler.
Coming to NXT from Japan, Asuka has made a name for herself in a short time in the company. Her style is a mix of technical and striking Asuka, and is going to be a challenge for Bayley.
This match is unpredictable, on one side Bayley has gotten so popular as Women’s Champion so why would you want to end her reign now? On the other side, you have Asuka, who is a diva that has the wrestling tools to become a great champion. At the end of the day, even though Asuka is a great talent, it is not time for Bayley title reign to end. Ihave got to pick Bayley for the win.
Winner: Bayley
Finn Balor Champion vs Samoa Joe For NXT Championship
After weeks of facing Sami Zayn for the right to become number one contender to the NXT Championship, Samoa Joe is heading to NXT takeover Dallas as the number one contender against Finn Balor for the NXT Championship.
This match between Balor and Joe will be the rematch from NXT Takeover London, where Balor retained his championship and defeated Joe. It took some conversional calls to make it happen, but Joe is getting a second chance at winning the NXT Championship.
Balor has been doing great since becoming NXT Champion, beating Kevin Owens for it last year at Beast In The East. There is a reason why Balor has been champion for quite some time, he has been dominating the competition with his high flying, striking and technical style of wrestling. It is only a matter of time before Balor gets called up to the main roster, since he is one of the most popular superstars in NXT right now.
Ever since coming to NXT last year, Joe has been a dominating force. The style for Joe is a mix of a powerhouse and technical wrestling. He is more known for being a powerhouse than a technical wrestler, and he is also known to use striking in his wrestling. Joe is just like Balor, as he is a veteran of the wrestling world.
This will most likely be the last time these two are facing off in NXT, but what a better way to do it then at the biggest show of the year. This has a making to be a great ending to the NXT rivalry between these two. With Balor reported today by Pro Wrestling Insider, he will most likely be making his debut in the main roster in the next few days.
It makes sense for the company to have Joe beat Balor, giving Joe the reign as NXT Champion he needs. Anything can happen in the WWE, so do not be surprised if Balor beats Joe. For right now, I have to give the win to Samoa Joe here.
Winner: Samoa Joe
