Booking NXT TakeOver: New Jersey - 10 Matches That Could Happen
Dreaming up dream matches.
NXT is better than the main roster, and that is a fact.
The black and yellow brand has gone from developmental to one of the hottest wrestling promotions in the world over the last six years, and it continues to get stronger with every year that passes.
NXT TakeOvers are now more hotly anticipated that anything put on by the main show, and this is never truer than over WrestleMania weekend.
The last three TakeOvers to take place over WrestleMania weekend - Dallas, Orlando and New Orleans - have given us some incredible matches. Shinsuke Nakamura vs Sami Zayn. The Revival vs #DIY vs The Authors of Pain. Johnny Gargano vs Tommaso Ciampa. These are just a few examples of what to expect when NXT takes over a WrestleMania Saturday.
What matches will follow in this legendary legacy?
We'll have to wait and see, but, in the meantime, it's always fun to fantasy book, so allow us to let our imaginations run away with themselves and book 10 possible matches for the biggest NXT show of 2019.
These matches are all based on existing storylines, championships and stars' positions in NXT. Some liberties have been taken in few of them, but this is pro wrestling, and if you can't take liberties with that, where can you...?
10. Adam Cole Vs Punishment Martinez
A tasty prospect for any Ring Of Honor fan.
Punishment Martinez, a former ROH TV Champion, is yet to debut on NXT TV, but he has appeared on a few house shows, which can only mean his official debut is coming very soon.
The 6ft 6in monster is an absolute beast in the ring, combining incredible power and strength with insane speed and agility. When he does make an appearance on NXT TV, it's should be in a big way - and what bigger way than in a storyline with the brand's hottest faction?
The Undisputed Era's whole shtick is that they're all former ROH guys in NXT. Punishment Martinez fits this bill perfectly. The Era could attempt to recruit him, even doing it successfully for a few months, before Martinez rejects their ways and establishes himself as a hero to Adam Cole's villain.
Both men are excellent workers and would put on an excellent match. Throw in a top notch storyline and this is a great way to introduce the NXT Universe to Punishment, even more so if he beats Cole.
A chance to give Martinez the push he deserves, and perhaps a fitting way to call The Era up to the main roster, this storyline would give TakeOver: New Jersey a hot blood feud and an amazing match.