NXT

[Oliver]

That's awesome about the tag match getting a five star rating. I'm going to watch that now, actually, haven't sat down with it yet. I'm surprised that Bate and Severn, as far as I understand, don't have 'proper' NXT contracts yet. I also assume they'll get a chance to better themselves in Brooklyn, all four of them, because I can see a rematch coming.

Sorry about the nWo thing, Degen!

[Degenerate]

[205 Clive]

A rubber match at Brooklyn would be a great idea (I've not read any spoilers so unsure of Brooklyn card).

They don't need any help with the crowd atmosphere at Takeovers, but based on the interactions between the 4 on both nights of the NXT UK show, as well as the tag match at Full Sail last week, that match is sure to life the roof off the place, and would be an unbelievable farewell to Brooklyn on Summerslam weekend.

[comfortablynumb]

I wish the Revival were in NXT to throw in the mix with Undisputed Era and Mustache Mountain.

[Oliver]

I wish the Revival were in NXT

Not a week goes past where I don't wish this. And American Alpha.

[Degenerate]

Just caught this week's episode of NXT. That certainly changed the landscape for Takeover: Brooklyn. I'm glad I avoided the spoilers on the last batch of tapings. Looking forward to Summerslam weekend, for sure.

The tag team division in NXT went through a bit of a revamp after so many callups, but it's shaping up to be pretty good now. It's something to look forward to in the next few months.

[Oliver]

This might sound funny, but - is Brooklyn and the lead up to it when NXT gets it's feet back under it? I'm just thinking, the last couple of years Brooklyn has been absolutely superb in terms of build and execution, but the shows and Takeover immediately after Mania have always been a bit underwhelming - is it just because they lose people after Mania and they then need a bit of time to sort themselves out?

Either way, I'm really excited for Brooklyn. I hope Baszler keeps winning, because I am loving her right now.

[LifeLostInRewind]

I'm sure she will win. Her heel character is too good to lose at the moment. I can't wait for Takeover Brooklyn myself!

[Degenerate]

This might sound funny, but - is Brooklyn and the lead up to it when NXT gets it's feet back under it? I'm just thinking, the last couple of years Brooklyn has been absolutely superb in terms of build and execution, but the shows and Takeover immediately after Mania have always been a bit underwhelming - is it just because they lose people after Mania and they then need a bit of time to sort themselves out?

That's a good point. Between post-Mania callups and the yearly drafts happening just around that time too, there's bound to be a lull there. The good thing is that they always seem to have a good batch of people ready to take those vacant spots.

I hope Baszler keeps winning, because I am loving her right now.

I'm sure she will win. Her heel character is too good to lose at the moment. I can't wait for Takeover Brooklyn myself!

I'm in total agreement here. I saw her randomly at a Stardom show at the beginning of 2017 and immediately dug her style. I would have never guessed that she would be doing so great under the WWE machine in such a short period of time. I wouldn't mind her winning, but I think that she's should be put on the main roster sooner rather than later. She's going to be 38 in a couple of weeks, which is on the high end for female wrestlers, and NXT already has a decent female roster which I'm sure is going to get a lot deeper after the next Mae Young Classic. I'd call up a few more women along with Baszler, like Lacey Evans (who I really believe can be a huge star on the main roster) and Nikki Cross (although I'm unsure if she's already called up since she was prominently shown on Raw during the Evolution announcement).

I would prefer that Kairi Sane win for that reason. But also it's because I have a slight crush on her so I might be biased. Please don't tell my wife.

[LifeLostInRewind]

Nikki Cross actually has been at some Smackdown live shows recently.

[205 Clive]

Nikki Cross actually has been at some Smackdown live shows recently.

Really? That's interesting. I know that doesn't mean much, but at least she is doing live shows for the show that Sanity are on. Would be interesting to see what comes of that.

[comfortablynumb]

She was on the stage on Raw for the Evolution announcement too. Silent callup I guess.

[205 Clive]

Will this be an Elias Samson type deal where she just keeps popping up in places???

[Oliver]

Reading that Aleister Black has just had surgery, possibly something testicular, after getting crotched on the turnbuckle by Ciampa on a house show.

Possibility that he doesn't make Takeover as a result, which would be shitty.

[Team Farrell]

Yeah, I just saw that. First of all OUCH! Second of all, that sucks for him because that would have been a big time match for him. However, maybe this means that Ciampa and Gargano can just have a single for the belt (I'm never getting my Hell in a Cell, am I?) and when Black is back up and running he can either get the call-up or come back for a nice feud.

Some reports are saying that they expect he'll be good in two weeks, but I can't think of too many surgeries with that short a recovery time.