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WWE ‘NXT TakeOver: The End’ — Preview & Predictions

Published on: June 7, 2016 at 10:55 PM
By Dustin Murrell

With the upcoming WWE Draft and brand-split, The End may be a very appropriate name for the Wednesday’s NXT event. The name is likely meant to point towards “the end” of the feud between NXT Champion Samoa Joe and former champion Finn Bálor. But it could also prove to be the beginning of “the end” for some of the NXT Superstars before they join the main roster after WWE SmackDown goes live beginning Tuesday, July 19. Specifically, many expect that the reason Bálor dropped the title to Joe at a recent NXT house show is that they want Finn to join AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson in The Bullet Club as they feud with John Cena and The New Day.

As Shane McMahon continues to usher in the New Era of WWE, he and Stephanie will continue to poach top-tier NXT talent. With only five matches currently scheduled for NXT TakeOver: The End… , everyone performing on Wednesday could potentially be moved to Monday Night RAW or WWE SmackDown by next month. NXT Tag Team Champions American Alpha could join WWE’s hot tag team division, while The Revival have a gimmick unlike any team on the main roster. Both Nia Jax and Asuka offer something that no one on the main roster could possibly duplicate, while the same could definitely be argued about both Shinsuke Nakamura and Austin Aries.

With so much at stake this Wednesday, NXT TakeOver: The End… is sure to include twelve NXT Superstars performing at the top of their game.

Samoa Joe vs. Finn Bálor

NXT Championship Steel Cage Match

This will be the fourth consecutive NXT TakeOver event to feature Samoa Joe and Finn Bálor in the ring together. At NXT TakeOver: Respect , Joe and Finn teamed up to defeat Dash and Dawson, and then Baron Corbin and Rhyno, to win the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament. Then, at NXT TakeOver: London , Bálor successfully defended the NXT Championship against Samoa Joe, and did it again during WrestleMania 32 weekend at NXT TakeOver: Dallas .

The tables are turned this time, however, as Joe unexpectedly took the strap from Bálor at a house show and will be the one defending the NXT Championship. As it was predicted by Sportskeeda , it seems likely that Samoa Joe will retain the NXT Championship, with Finn Bálor moving on to join the rest of The Bullet Club on the main roster.

Asuka vs. Nia Jax

NXT Women’s Championship Match

Both the NXT Women’s Champion Asuka and No. 1 contender Nia Jax have an in-ring presence that no one else in the company can duplicate. Asuka’s aggressive brand of offense is as unique among the women of WWE and NXT as Shinsuke Nakamura’s strong style is among the men. On the other hand, Nia Jax is an incredibly athletic 6’0? and 272 pounds, and — to quote Enzo Amore — “you can’t teach that.”

With all signs pointing towards Bayley being then next woman to be called up from NXT, it stands to reason that both Nia Jax and Asuka will remain near the top of the NXT Women’s division. With a feud that could turn into something like Finn Bálor and Samoa Joe, the Sportskeeda prediction seems likely again, with Asuka still holding the title at the end of NXT TakeOver on Wednesday.

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American Alpha vs. The Revival

NXT Tag Team Championship Match

American Alpha have been on fire since before winning the NXT Tag Team Championship at TakeOver: Dallas , and they haven’t begun to slow down one bit. While The Revival are a uniquely gifted tag team, no one team in NXT history has captured the belts more than once.

As was predicted by Get More Sports , there’s every reason to think American Alpha will retain on Wednesday.

Austin Aries vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Grudge Match

With both Aries and Nakamura recently claiming that they would be the NXT Champion in the near future, it seems likely that winner of this match will feud with the winner of the main event. While Austin Aries already has a bit of an American following thanks to his tenure at TNA, Shinsuke’s major appeal is mostly international.

Much like current champion Samoa Joe, Austin Aries is playing the part of a heel, but is still over with a portion of the NXT Universe because of his background and in-ring ability. Nakamura, on the other hand, is completely over as a face, making him the perfect choice to challenge Samoa Joe for the NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn in August. Like the preview from Get More Sports predicted, Nakamura seems like the likely winner of this match.

Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Tye Dillinger

NXT Debut Match

Tye Dillinger has become the reliable workhorse of NXT’s upper-middle card, putting over top-tier talent like Finn Bálor and Shinsuke Nakamura and being rewarded with victories over guys like Elias Samson. At TakeOver: The End , he’s up against Andrade “Cien” Almas, known as “La Sombra” in Mexico. After weeks of vignettes, Almas finally gets in the ring in front of the cameras and the NXT Universe.

Unless NXT plans on throwing a total curve ball, everyone seems to agree that “Cien” can count on a victory at The End .

Where to Watch

Just like the weekly episodes of WWE NXT , the WWE Network will air NXT TakeOver: The End live on Wednesday, June 8, at 8/7c. It will be available for streaming on-demand immediately.

Additionally, on Thursday, replays of NXT TakeOver: The End… will be available to stream on-demand with a Hulu Plus subscription.

[Photo via WWE]

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