NXT

[Oliver]

I suppose if it's balls related it might just be a liquid drain from swelling or something? Torsion is probably the worst case, my mate had that and basically had four weeks of not moving to heal it up.

[205 Clive]

Hmmm. That's worrying news. If this leads to just a singles match between Gargano and Ciampa at Takeover (I haven't read spoilers), then I'll be a bit gutted about that. I feel like their story has went on too long, I'm done with Garagano's "woe me" stuff right now, and adding Black into the mix would have been interesting for match dynamic purposes.

Hopefully he pulls through soon.

[Oliver]

I actually quite like Gargano's descent into madness.

Just read a report that NXT officials are considering replacing Black in the title match with Matt Riddle, and potentially even having him win the title in his first match on the brand. That's a pretty interesting approach, if true.

[LK3185]

I wouldn't be opposed to that. Matt Riddle is awesome

[comfortablynumb]

We need more poolside summits.

[comfortablynumb]

Last Man Standing match between Gargano and Ciampa was announced as the new main event of Takeover. I was hoping for Hell in a Cell for the third clash of the feud (which may have been in the plans at some point) but on last minute this will do.

[Oliver]

Shit. I hate LMS matches.

[LK3185]

Same, but NXT is like the only place where i think it could work.

[LifeLostInRewind]

LMS matches are only good if they are done properly. Though waiting for the competitor to get up does make it a lot slower paced.

I think an I quit match would have been better.

[comfortablynumb]

I love how they are playing the "Who attacked Aleister Black" angle? This video is great pointing out all the people around on the scene. Props to NXT for doing such a great job with this and having almost the whole roster close by.

[comfortablynumb]

I'm behind on Takeover and just saw the Dream/EC3 match. I'm shocked by the result but Dream needed a big win and got it, so it's all good.

[LK3185]

I didn't like the Gargano/Ciampa finish at all.

[Oliver]

I did in the sense that it works in the story - Gargano's own madness about Ciampa keeps costing him.

[LK3185]

Its certainly going to be divisive but I just felt its gone on too long that way. I don't want the babyface to be a reckless dumbass forever.... and I didn't want another match between these two.

[SirSam]

I feel like it would have been a different story if Black had been in the match. Gargano was becoming a bit of a weird man in the middle but with his inury it kind of forced them to revert to the same dynamic they had at Chicago.

I do wonder where they all go from here, I can't see Gargano having another match with Ciampa but if Black is out for a while Adam Cole or EC3 are the only guys that could really seem fit to step up against Ciampa. They both lost tonight and with Cole while I have no problem with a heel/heel dynamic it is something the WWE tends to really avoid.

It is very long odds to happen but Finn Balor isn't doing anything of concern on the main roster. Perhaps a brief return to NXT could remind people of the man who was at the forefront of the growth of the branch a few years back.