It’s SummerSlam weekend in the WWE Universe and that can only mean one thing: NXT Takeover is coming back to Brooklyn. A stacked card awaits as the crowning of one of the biggest baby-faces in recent memory could take place this Saturday, August 18th, at the Barclays Center…
EC3 vs. The Velveteen Dream
The Velveteen Dream faced off against another newcomer, Ricochet, at the last NXT Takeover in Chicago and does so again here in Brooklyn against former TNA World Champion, EC3.
This match provides an interesting dynamic as both competitors could be perceived to be heels right now, a contrast to the usual tried-and-tested face-heel equation. It has also had an intriguing build to it with the cocky young heel, Velveteen Dream, walking out on EC3 during their tag-team match against Aleister Black and Ricochet at the UK Championship tournament back in June.
The betrayal made EC3 turn his attention to the Dream as he confronted him at his house before pushing him into a swimming pool. This feud has a very unique feel to it with two very self-centred, narcissistic heels fighting to see who the better man is. It comes across as being its own thing, with the fans almost a non-factor.
A loss for either man should not harm their long-term prospects in NXT but with the Velveteen Dream recently losing some big pay-per-view matches, it might be his turn to add one to the ‘W’ column.
Winner: The Velveteen Dream
The Undisputed Era (Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly) (c) vs. Moustache Mountain (Trent Seven and Tyler Bate) for the NXT Tag Team Championships
Seven and Bate’s feel-good title-win in their home country was short-lived as the dastardly faction led by Adam Cole got their titles back on NXT in one of the great NXT non-PPV matches.
The match in question told a great story where the student, Tyler Bate, was forced to throw in the towel to protect his mentor, Trent Seven, from being further injured. You have to wonder whether that story will be revisited in Brooklyn.
The Undisputed Era have looked great ever since joining forces and, with the impending full-time return of Bobby Fish, look to be stronger than ever. There is no reason for them to drop the titles here so expect their reign of terror to continue.
Winners: Undisputed Era (Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly), and still NXT Tag Team champions
Adam Cole (C) vs. Ricochet for the WWE UK Championship
A match with the potential of stealing the show, Adam Cole’s quick-wittedness faces off against the high-flying arsenal of Ricochet. The two wrestlers boast a combined twenty-five years of experience between them.
Both men made their names on the independent circuit, competing for promotions all over North America and Japan. The two have crossed paths before, in Pro Wrestling Guerilla in the US. Ricochet is out for revenge here after being on the wrong end of a severe beat -down at the hands of The Era a couple of weeks ago. One has to wonder, however, about the role Cole’s stable-mates will play in this match, especially Bobby Fish, given he doesn’t have other commitments on the night.
Winner: Adam Cole, and still WWE UK Champion
Shayna Baszler (c) vs. Kairi Sane for the NXT Women’s Championship
Shayna’s played her mind-games with the diminutive Japanese star, but it all comes to a head in Brooklyn as the two finalists of the first Mae Young Classic last year clash for the NXT Women’s title.
Kairi beat Shayna in that final to win the inaugural MYC tournament but Shayna’s had signifcantly more success in NXT after that tournament. Shayna’s held the title now since WrestleMania weekend where she beat Ember Moon but now faces one of her old rivals and she will be itching to set the record straight with Kairi Sane.
Could this match see an involvement from one of Baszler’s fellow ‘four horsewomen’ friends? After Marina Shafir’s recent debut on NXT TV, it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility.
Winner: Shayna Baszler, and still NXT Women’s champion
.@ProjectCiampa, @WWEAleister, and @JohnnyGargano will battle in a #TripleThreat Match for the #NXTChampionship at #NXTTakeOver: Brooklyn 4! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/8C784lnAOF
— WWE (@WWE) August 9, 2018
Tommaso Ciampa (c) vs. Johnny Gargano, Last Man Standing match for the NXT Championship
It’s the third instalment of Ciampa-Gargano but, alas, it was not meant to be this way. Aleister Black’s untimely injury has forced the management’s hand as the previously planned triple-threat has now become a singles match between former friends turned arch-rivals, Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano.
This match may surpass the brutality we saw from these two in Chicago, and that’s saying a lot. This was not how the Johnny Gargano coronation had been planned so while this may be a great match between the two former DIY teammates, it may not give an equally great finale.
Tommaso Ciampa is the biggest heel in the company right now, let alone NXT. A definitive loss in a Last Man Standing match in his first title-defence will do him no good whatsoever. The fans might hate the finish but it may be required to prolong the story of Johnny Gargano’s eventual triumph over adversity.
Winner: Draw, and still NXT Champion, Tomamso Ciampa