6 HUGE NXT TakeOver: New Orleans Predictions You Need To Know
The Big EC
Just when you think you're out, they pull you back in.
For over a year now, NXT TakeOver build-ups have lacked the spark and spunk that came with the shows from the brand's Golden Era. 2014-16 saw the show move from rookie league to super-indie spitfire, with the hottest characters, matches and moments almost exclusively saved for the Network specials over the bloated pay-per-view supercard.
New Orleans may perhaps be the deserved turning point for that trend.
At no point did the events themselves stop being the pay-per-view weekend's hottest ticket. Last summer's Chicago and Brooklyn events over-delivered by the bucketload, whilst WarGames served up a spectacular eponymous main event and January's Philadelphia card provided a series of epic encounters leading to one of the greatest bouts in company history.
NXT has, was and always will be fine as long as it follows formula - formula that perhaps results in the periods of artificial malaise between the big shows. Lessons have gradually been learned about the brand's ebbs and flows due mostly to talent travelling north to the main roster, but this card more than many in recent months highlights how quickly WWE refill, refresh and reinvigorate their roster.
New Orleans has just as great a chance of proffering another match-of-the-year classic or two. To look past that as the norm only serves as a reminder of how (too?) sweet a time it is to be a fan.
6. Era Of Awesome
Doubling down with Dusty Rhodes Tag Classic honours as well as The Undisputed Era's Tag Team Titles, William Regal lit a final spark in a triple threat that promises the least but stands to deliver the most.
Pete Dunne's one TakeOver appearance in 2017 formed one half of the year's best match, whilst the Authors, Strong, Cole and O'Reilly all contributed to another contender in November's chaotic WarGames extravaganza.
Stripped of similar stipulations, this will rely so much more on the technical skills of the talented sextuplet. Akam and Rezar look bound for main roster supremacy after two fabulous growth years in the developmental system, whilst Strong and Dunne's makeshift pairing only seems destined for this short term flourish.
Adam Cole (BAY BAY!) and Kyle O'Reilly to retain then, if not for their own continued success but for the evident lack of depth in NXT's tag division. The Undisputed Era offer much up and down the card, but the doubles division currently remains most in need of their superlative palette of skills.