Credit: WWE.com
WWE’s developmental brand makes their annual pre-SummerSlam stop at the Barclays Center for what looks to be another strong supercard.
I think I’m starting to run out of clever ways to praise NXT. I mean, what else is there to say about it? The storylines have been compelling, the commentary team doesn’t make me want to push the mute button the instant their mouths start moving, and the matches are decent at the very least. Outside of a few nitpicks, Triple H and company have gotten everything right.
The NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV card serves as a shining example of the developmental brand’s brilliance. With five matches scheduled for the annual pre-SummerSlam special, any one of those bouts could conceivably steal the show. On a two-hour show, the wrestlers will have ample time to do so.
It’s safe to assume that TakeOver: Brooklyn IV will once again deliver the goods (making the following night’s SummerSlam look like a bloated snoozefest by comparison). However, the winners of the matches aren’t as obvious.
Will we see numerous title changes, or will the belts stay with the incumbent champs? Will Kairi Sane overcome the overbearing Shayna Baszler or will she succumb to the submission specialist? Will Ricochet win his first piece of WWE gold or will Adam Cole (BAY BAY!) retain the North American Championship? Can Johnny Gargano topple his archrival to become the NXT Champion?
Since I’m not an NXT creative team member, I don’t have the answers to these questions, but I watch plenty of NXT, so I think I can make some good educated guesses.