Despite the fact there are a couple of pay-per-views to go before WrestleMania 36 arrives, everyone in WWE is currently focused on the year’s biggest annual event. The card is still being developed with a little over a month to go, but some superstars may already know their position at the event. As for NXT, fans know that the black-and-yellow brand will have a presence in Tampa, but rumors have now revealed just how many matches they will have at the “Show of Shows.”
As things currently stand, there are only two confirmed matches for WrestleMania 36 , and they were both set up at the Royal Rumble . Drew McIntyre will go on to face Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship while Charlotte Flair shocked everyone when she chose to challenge Rhea Ripley for the NXT Women’s Championship.
The night before WrestleMania 36 , the superstars of the black-and-yellow brand will come together for NXT TakeOver: Tampa Bay . Despite them having their own event on Saturday evening, it was still expected that NXT would have a decent presence at the big PPV, but that might not end up being the case.
According to Wrestling Observer Radio , by way of WrestleTalk , fans had better enjoy Ripley vs. Flair because that is the only NXT match they’re getting on Sunday night.
“There’s 14 matches on the card and there are no other NXT guys on the card unless, of course, plans change which they obviously can at any time,” said Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer . “The card that’s out doesn’t have any other NXT personalities other than Rhea Ripley.”
Despite the lack of matches from the brand’s other talents at WrestleMania , it is expected that NXT TakeOver: Tampa Bay is going to absolutely blow the roof off of things, and that should come as no shock.
A lot of fans thought that NXT was more on the level of Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown as far as the “main roster” goes. When their weekly television show moved to the USA Network in September 2019, it was expected that all three brands would be on an equal playing field.
This is not to say that NXT is below Raw or SmackDown as a third brand, but they simply won’t be a huge part of WrestleMania 36 . Still, they’re going to have a major presence over the weekend, thanks to Ripley’s title match and TakeOver: Tampa Bay taking place on Saturday.