WWE Announces Kickoff Match For NXT TakeOver 36

NXT TakeOver's match count is now up to 6; WWE just added a bonus Kickoff match.

by Jamie Kennedy
Ridge Holland Trey Baxter
WWE.com

Ridge Holland vs. Trey Baxter has been added in as a bonus Kickoff match at NXT TakeOver 36.

WWE announced the bout via their official website, and their blurb speculated that this would be a cracker between two breakout NXT stars. In fact, as WWE explained, Baxter showed his "grit and determination" in the brand's 'Breakout Tournament'. According to the story, Trey wants Holland to bring the best out in him and help take him to the next level.

It's worth noting that Ridge has been working some dark matches before SmackDown tapings. This suggests that WWE higher-ups are keen on him, so it wouldn't be a huge surprise if he picked up the win at TakeOver come Sunday night.

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This announcement brings the TakeOver 36 match count up to six - Walter vs. Ilja Dragunov (NXT UK Title), Karrion Kross vs. Samoa Joe (NXT Title), Raquel González vs. Dakota Kai (NXT Women's Title), LA Knight vs. Cameron Grimes (Million Dollar Championship) and a 2-Out-Of-3 Falls clash between Adam Cole and Kyle O'Reilly are the others on tap.

The Kickoff spot represents a great chance for Holland and Baxter to show NXT's decision-makers what they can do.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.