We’ve got ourselves another marquee NXT event tonight, folks! We have a major North American Championship match tonight as Keith Lee defends against Johnny Gargano! This TakeOver is a rather unique one bringing back a branding I’m not sure anyone ever expected… it’s NXT TakeOver: In Your House! It’s cute and nostalgic in some ways, but it’s also a name that basically translates to being lesser than a regular PPV. I mean seriously that was the whole idea back in the day. Perhaps they want lower expectations than usual for this, the first and maybe only TakeOver of the pandemic era. Still the card looks as strong as just about any other so let’s get into the previews!
NXT North American Championship: Keith Lee (c) vs. Johnny Gargano
This is somehow a match that’s never been televised before. The two never quite crossed paths in PWG or EVOLVE or anywhere else before they came to NXT and their only recorded singles bout, atleast according to cagematch.net, was at a house show. To have these two squaring off, finally, at this TakeOver and with a title on the line no less, is honestly pretty special. Regardless of circumstances, I fully expect this one to tear the house down and if it’s not match of the night, it’ll be quite the upset.
Keith Lee has been a roll for months, and is in some ways the true top babyface of NXT right now, atleast from my point of view. He was ridiculously over and just oozes that star quality, in addition to being a true freak in the ring. He’s just nothing like anyone else in wrestling and frankly there’s no particular reason he shouldn’t be NXT Champion right now as we speak. Honestly, a lot of people feel he should be mixing up in the WWE or Universal title scenes by now as well and they’re probably right, but speaking selfishly, I’d much prefer see him headline TakeOvers for years to come.
He’s been a strong secondary champion in place of a world title run but he’s just about reached that point where most North American title reigns end. These title runs have never been quite as long as the other singles championships on the brand. Maybe this is a time for him to drop this title and finally move onto the grand prize? Gargano just turned heel here and it’d seem against the WWE way for him to lose right now… regaining this title would make some sense. I think we’re looking at a new North American champion, the first 2-time champ in the title’s history.
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