7 Reasons WWE NXT TakeOver: Dallas Will Be The Best Show Of 2016
Forget WrestleMania 32... NXT is where it's at.
In 2015 NXT solidified itself as the most interesting brand under the WWE umbrella, as it accentuated the already-stacked roster it had with a number of independent standouts, including Samoa Joe, Apollo Crews and Asuka, to name just a few. This momentum has been carried over into 2016, and the big names continue to make their way to Full Sail University.
The TakeOver specials have been a model of consistency so far, throwing up classic battle after classic battle in a seemingly never-ending battle to improve on what happened before. Last time out at TakeOver: London the bar was set higher still, as Finn Balor defended his NXT Championship against Samoa Joe, Bayley somehow survived against Nia Jax and Baron Corbin continued his crusade against the indie legends by besting Apollo Crews.
This means that the pressure on the roster for TakeOver: Dallas could not be higher, but many are already touting it as the real show to see this weekend. There are a whole host of reasons why it isn't unreasonable to believe it'll come out above TakeOver: London, but many believe it may very well be the best WWE-produced show of the year.
Why do they think that? Well, here are seven reasons they might.
7. The Debut Of Austin Aries
On the March 2 episode NXT, Austin Aries was revealed as the latest big name from outside of World Wrestling Entertainment to rock up at Full Sail University. After receiving a rapturous applause, A Double made his way down to the ring only to find himself propelled in that general direction by an onrushing Baron Corbin. Corbin gave Aries an End of Days on the outside, and Regal subsequently made the match for TakeOver: Dallas.
With all the hoopla surrounding the arrival of various talents from New Japan Pro Wrestling (more on them later), the arrival of Aries got ever so lost in the shuffle. The man polarises the audience, with some seeing him as one of the finest professional wrestlers in the world, others equating him closer to an overachieving and overrated cockroach.
What cannot be denied is that his first steps in an NXT ring will be heavily discussed, and Baron Corbin has also somehow managed to develop to the point of being the perfect first opponent. Corbin has proved himself more than adept between the ropes over the last few months, especially in his role as anti-indie gatekeeper. Apollo Crews didn't get past him, what chance Aries?