Creative Plans For NXT Revealed After ‘NXT Takeover: Chicago,’ Next Challenger For Bobby Roode Revealed
Last night at NXT Takeover: Chicago, the fans enjoyed another great event from the brand, but it’s already time to start thinking about what comes next for NXT and what feuds the powers that be have planned. For instance, Bobby Roode, Asuka, and The Authors of Pain all retained their championships in Chicago, but the next round of challengers are about to emerge as the summer months approach where NXT always thrives.
As of this writing, the next NXT Takeover event will be held in mid-August, and it will be the third edition of the NXT Takeover: Brooklyn event. There may be another NXT Takeover event at Full Sail University over the next few months, but nothing is announced. It’s being reported that NXT officials already have creative plans in place after Chicago, but the big question is whether those plans will span over three months into Brooklyn.
It’s being reported that the current NXT Champion Bobby Roode will be entering into a new feud with Drew McIntyre. The latter was not a part of the show in Chicago, but he will have a bigger role on NXT television going forward. WWE officials have big plans for McIntyre to become a top babyface for the brand now that he has returned to the company and transformed into a stronger and experienced performer inside the ring.
Bobby Roode went head to head with Shinsuke Nakamura and won the NXT Championship from him. He’s also overcome Hideo Itami after Chicago. Roode has been dominant since his debut for NXT, which means a new contender needs to emerge as his foil heading into the summer. McIntyre is a familiar face with a really aggressive in-ring style that could challenge Roode’s title reign, especially if their rivalry lasts into Brooklyn.
Elsewhere, Asuka continues her historic NXT Women’s Title reign. Unfortunately, Ember Moon’s injury has been revealed to be much more severe than expected. She could be on the shelf as long as six months, which will change the creative plans for The Empress of Tomorrow because Asuka vs. Moon seemed to be the plan heading into NXT Takeover: Brooklyn this year. It’s unclear right now what direction the division will take.
In light of Tommaso Ciampa’s betrayal against Johnny Gargano after losing the NXT Tag Team Title match on Saturday, The Authors of Pain will be entering into a rivalry with Heavy Machinery. The new team will be emerging onto the scene now that DIY has split up and The Revival have moved to Raw. Paul Ellering’s tag team of monsters are dominating NXT right now, so establishing a new babyface team is a great idea.
Some people believed Itami vs. Roode could continue after Chicago, but WWE officials revealed their plans for Hideo after his loss to “The Glorious One.” During a backstage segment, Hideo Itami became furious in the locker room following the loss and spat a lot of his venom in Kassius Ohno’s direction. The segment was not necessarily a heel turn for Hideo, but it seems Itami vs. Ohno will be a rivalry for the foreseeable future.
Along with the rivalry between Ciampa and Gargano and Roderick Strong’s rise as a babyface against Sanity, NXT programming is full of exciting storylines and feuds after NXT Takeover: Chicago. As of this writing, it seems there are three months between until the next NXT Takeover event, so there is a lot of time for the feuds to develop, and possibly some new faces such as Adam Cole to arrive in NXT before the next Takeover.
[Featured Image by WWE]
