On the eve of WrestleMania 33 , WWE’s developmental league presented NXT TakeOver: Orlando , the biggest event of the year for future WWE Superstars trying to make names for themselves at the NXT Performance Center in Orlando. One night after former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame — and one night before former TNA World Champions AJ Styles, Austin Aries and Samoa Joe compete at WrestleMania 33 — former TNA Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode defended the NXT Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura. The first two NXT shows that were a part of WWE’s WrestleMania weekend in years past were incredibly successful, and Triple H looked to make it three years in a row with TakeOver: Orlando .
The fans that show up for WrestleMania and the following Monday Night Raw are incredibly raucous, and the crowd that shows up early enough for NXT TakeOver will be the most dedicated of all. In addition to Bobby Roode vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in the main event, Asuka defended the NXT Women’s Championship against Ember Moon, Aleister Black made his long-anticipated NXT debut, and the Authors of Pain defended the NXT Tag Team Championship against DIY and The Revival.
Along with the preview of NXT TakeOver that follows, the results of the matches will be posted on this Inquisitr page in real-time, including videos of the live fan reactions from inside the Amway Center.
Bobby Roode vs. Shinsuke Nakamura — NXT Championship Match
One year ago, Bobby Roode was first seen on NXT programming when he appeared in the crowd at NXT TakeOver: Dallas , the night before WrestleMania 32 . Two months later, Roode would make his glorious in-ring debut as NXT toured Europe. Shinsuke Nakamura was the NXT Champion at that time, and he would go on to lose the title and regain it before defending the gold against Bobby Roode at NXT TakeOver: San Antonio . The King of Strong Style dropped the title to Roode that night, and this match-up at TakeOver: Orlando is Nakamura’s obligatory rematch.
Winner: Bobby Roode
Asuka vs. Ember Moon — NXT Women’s Championship Match
Asuka is arguably the most dominant female wrestler in WWE right now, despite the fact that she hasn’t yet graduated to the main roster. She remains undefeated during her stint in NXT, having won the NXT Women’s Championship one year ago when she defeated Bayley at TakeOver: Dallas. Unless WWE is planning on sending Asuka up to the main roster with her undefeated streak still intact, Ember Moon seems like the person who will take the title from her.
Winner: Asuka
Authors of Pain vs. The Revival vs. DIY — NXT Tag Team Championship Match
Just as Asuka and Bobby Roode have been unstoppable in their respective divisions, no one in the NXT tag team division has been able to slow the Authors of Pain down. They plowed through their competition in the Dusty Rhodes Invitational Tournament before taking the NXT Tag Team Championship. At TakeOver: Orlando , they face two sets of former NXT Tag Team Champions in a Triple Threat Elimination Match.
The crowd freaking loves this match #TakeOverOrlando #TagTitles pic.twitter.com/xWWPOykMle
— Dustin Murrell (@otheaudacity) April 2, 2017
Winners: Authors of Pain
Aleister Black vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas
Aleister Black, known to some as Tommy End, will make his official NXT debut at TakeOver: Orlando against Andrade Almas, who is still struggling to truly connect with the NXT Universe. Black did make an unannounced appearance at WWE’s United Kingdom Championship Tournament when he got in the ring with Neville, the current WWE Cruiserweight Champion and former NXT Champion.
Winner: Aleister Black
RELATED REPORTS BY THE INQUISITR
- WWE: Who Should be in the WrestleMania 33 Main Event?
- Conor McGregor & Hulk Hogan in WWE — Lesnar vs. Goldberg at WrestleMania 33 [WWE Rumors]
- WWE: Should Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg at WrestleMania 33 be a Universal Title Match?
- WWE WrestleMania 33 — Best SmackDown Match: John Cena, Bray Wyatt or AJ Styles?
- Total Bellas Recap: Daniel Bryan Retirement, Nikki Bella Injury, and John Cena’s Insane House Rules
- The John Cena Heel Turn Begins?
- WWE Fastlane 2017 Preview and Predictions — Final PPV Before WrestleMania 33
- Goldberg Should Face John Cena at WWE WrestleMania 33
- Saturday Night Live : WWE’s John Cena Hosts SNL
- WWE SmackDown LIVE & 205 Live Results: John Cena Cuts Epic Promo
Tye Dillinger, Rederick Strong, No Way Jose Kassius Ohno & Ruby Riot vs. SAnitY — 8-Person Mixed Tag Team Match
As The Wyatt Family appears to have finally dissolved on WWE SmackDown LIVE , Eric Young’s SAnitY seems to just be getting started. If the gimmick continues to work, it wouldn’t be surprising one year from now to see Eric Young competing for the NXT Championship, Killian Dain and Alexander Wolfe challenging for the NXT Tag Team Championship, and Nikki Cross in a match for the NXT Women’s Championship.
Kassius Ohno replaced No Way Jose at #TakeOverOrlando … https://t.co/Usr7caGki1
— Dustin Murrell (@otheaudacity) April 2, 2017
Winners: SAnitY
Where to Watch WWE NXT TakeOver: Orlando
NXT TakeOver: Orlando aired live from the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday, April 1. The event was broadcast exclusively on the WWE Network . Fans who were unable to watch the event live can find both the WWE NXT TakeOver Pre-Show and WWE NXT TakeOver: Orlando available to stream on-demand with the WWE Network.
[Featured Image by WWE]