It’s time for another edition of NXT Takeover, aptly named Takeover 31. Given that it hasn’t been long since Takeover 30, and the NXT champion got injured and a COVID-19 outbreak in NXT, things were knocked loose in terms of how this show was planned to go. However, they’ve crowned a new NXT Champion, and built up a card of matches with the talent available. It might be a sleeper hit among NXT Takeover events, as strong doesn’t even describe this card, which values quality over quantity like NXT Takeovers do.
It will take place from the WWE Performance Centers new built in venue, the Capitol Wrestling Center, and there will be some paying fans in attendance, with strict medical procedures being in place. Digital fans like those found in the WWE Thunderdome will be present, but HHH assures fans the vibe of NXT will remain. The name pays tribute to the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, founded by Jess McMahon in 1953.
Kyle O’Reilly Faces Finn Balor For The NXT Championship
After Karrion Kross won the NXT Championship from Keith Lee at Takeover 30, it was revealed he fell to a shoulder injury and had to let the championship go. Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Adam Cole & Finn Balor went to war in a 60 minute ironman match, Balor & Cole tied, and Balor would then defeat Cole to become a two-time NXT Champion. After all this, they needed to build a challenger for Takeover in very little time.
Enter Kyle O’Reilly of The Undisputed Era, one of the most decorated champions in the brands history, being a four time NXT Tag Team Champion, but also having an impressive pre-WWE singles resume including the ROH & PWG Championships. He is every bit as good a singles wrestler as he is a tag team wrestler, and everyone saw this when he beat KUSHIDA, Bronson Reed, Cameron Grimes and Timothy Thatcher in what was called a ‘Gauntlet Eliminator’ match to earn this match.
There is a lot of respect between these two men, and O’Reilly has been chasing Balor for nearly a decade, and tonight he gets that dream match. Win or lose, a star will be born in Kyle O’Reilly, who could bring an early end to the reign of Finn Balor with ease.
Io Shirai vs. Candice LeRae II
At NXT Takeover Toronto 2019, Candice LeRae & Io Shirai stole the show with their undercard grudge match, and now just over a year later, they go to war again for the NXT Women’s Championship. They were once best friends on the NXT brand, and while both have turned sour since that original match, they remain fan favorites due to their incredible in-ring ability.
LeRae earned this chance by winning a traditional over-the-top rope battle royal, and even got a victory over Shirai in a mixed tag team match this week on NXT. It has always felt like a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ Candice LeRae will become NXT Women’s Championship, and ‘The Gargano Way’ has gotten her this far, making a victory tonight very possible. She’s also not the only one from the Gargano family ready to take some gold home however.
Johnny Gargano Looks To Become A Two-Time NXT North American Champion At The Expense Of Damien Priest
The Ace of NXT is back in a big singles match at NXT Takeover, following being part of the five way ladder match for the NXT North American Championship last time around. That match was won by Damien Priest, after it was set as vacant by Keith Lee earlier in the year. He was able to get his first defense against Timothy Thatcher a few weeks back, but now he has to contend with Johnny Takeover.
2020 might have not been Gargano’s year, but he’s one three count or submission away from making history as the only man to become a two-time NXT North American Champion. Much like how his wife Candice LeRae could leave with the NXT Women’s Champion, Gargano arguably has the edge over Priest in this match.
Isaiah ‘Swerve’ Scott Finally Has Another Chance At Santos Escobar
For months now, Swerve has been trying to become the NXT Cruiserweight Champion, but Santos Escobar isn’t an easy target. He’s been pinned by Swerve twice, first in the tournament to name a new champion, and again in a six man tag team match. They met in a singles match for the title, but a loaded lucha mask was used to steal the win with a headbutt. Now, Swerve has another chance at NXT Takeover, to show that the Cruiserweight Division is Swerve’s house, but Legado Del Fantasma won’t make this very easy. A fair fight was promised, but Santos Escobar is not very trustworthy.
KUSHIDA & Velveteen Dream Meet In A Grudge Match
Ever since the qualifying matches for the Ladder Match at NXT Takeover 30 which involved both KUSHIDA & Dream, they’ve been wanting to tear each other apart. This has all brought out a new side of KUSHIDA, a more vicious and deadly side. He’s finally focused, and that focus could lead to him getting a big win on his NXT Takeover debut.
There is also the return of a former champion, something which has been kept secret up until now. What are you most looking forward to from NXT Takeover 31? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get TheOvertimer’s Hottest Stories, Breaking News and Special Features in your email, CLICK HERE!
Remember to stay up to date with the latest news on TheOvertimer. Don’t forget to visit YouTube
and Gamestingr for great videos, news, and gameplay!
