9 Things That Must Happen At NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia
8. A Kickoff Royal Rumble
There are plenty of big names missing from the NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia card, but this is nothing new. It is a sign of how deep the developmental roster is that Roderick Strong, Lars Sullivan, SAnitY and the rest are nowhere to be seen.
Seeing as the show takes place the night before the Royal Rumble, why not hold an NXT battle royal? The melee would be for the live crowd and future TV only, but it would be an apt way to get plenty of bodies on the card and book a match with consequences for the future.
Lars Sullivan and Roderick Strong are the two major names absent from the TakeOver card, and I would suggest using them to bookend a 10 man NXT Rumble. Roderick Strong will almost certainly be a Royal Rumble Ironman at some point in the future, and having Roddy go through the world before falling to the last man to enter is an easy story to tell. Sullivan would be that man, and a future shot at the NXT Championship would be his.
At the very least, Lars and Roddy need to be on the show in some shape or form. If a Rumble isn’t the plan, then it is imperative that Lars destroys someone backstage or in the arena. How about a vicious attack of The Velveteen Dream, turning Clark babyface in the process?