NXT Takeover Stand & Deliver: 5 things that need to happen

NXT kicks off Wrestlemania season with two nights of Takeover. Stand and Deliver will feature 10 matches (5 each night) where every title will be defended. There are few storylines set to tell their final chapter, while some seem to be just beginning. Similar to years of past NXT will look to set the bar before the showcase of the immortals.

These 5 things must happen at Stand & Deliver for NXT to steal the weekend

Night One of Takeover Stand & Deliver will air on the USA network, while Night Two will be available to stream via Peacock. The card was recently filled out with a grudge match between KUSHIDA and Pete Dunne, and the Women’s tag titles will now be defended. There are many directions both nights can go, but as long as these things happen Tuesday nights will be interesting for weeks to come.

Candice LeRae gets her first taste of gold in NXT

This is long overdue. LeRae has been in NXT for years and yet to receive her moment, which ends at Takeover. In hindsight, the decision for Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai dropping the belts in the same night wasn’t a bad one. It prepared us for this exact match and is giving the new NXT women’s tag titles some deserved air time. Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart are fun but still don’t feel like a real tag team. Moon and Blackheart are both biding time until they’re back in the world title picture.

Dropping the titles to The Way accomplishes two things, awarding Candice and establishing Indi Hartwell in a stacked division. LeRae already called her shot on the go-home show, The Way should do whatever it takes to leave new champions.

Grizzled Young Vets, not MSK win vacant tag titles

For once tag-team wrestling is thriving in NXT, the division looks deeper than ever. Due to an unfortunate injury to Danny Burch, the titles are vacant, and looking for a new home. Ever since winning the Dusty Cup, MSK has looked like the obvious choice to become new champs. However, their time shouldn’t arrive just yet. It’s great to see new faces in the division, with Legado Del Fantasma hovering around the title picture as of late. Lest we forget the Grizzled Young Veterans were making noise in the division last year before COVID-19 forced them to stay across the pond.

The Vets have also been the runner-up in consecutive Dusty Cups. This time around the bridesmaids become the bride and the “soon to become” slogan of the Vets changes to “and new.” James Drake and Zack Gibson easily slide into being the brash heels of the division Burch and Lorcan were supposed to be.

Bobby Fish decides the Unsanctioned match

For weeks we’ve seen the unraveling of the Undisputed Era, and Stand & Deliver will feature UE’s former leader and rising star fight to no end. In the middle of this break-up, we’ve seen the story of Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly’s history and encounters leading up to their match. The problem is UE featured four members, and while we know Roderick Strong is desperately trying to find himself in his own story, where the hell is Bobby Fish?

In terms of competing in-ring, we know Fish suffered an injury during War Games and is recovering. However, you cannot complete the disbandment of UE without Fish getting his moment or choosing a side. During this match is when that should happen. Regardless of whoever wins, Bobby Fish needs to be the deciding factor. Cole said UE was holding him back so maybe Fish chooses his longtime tag partner Kyle O’Reilly. But a better story would be Fish, similar to Cole, grew weary watching O’Reilly in the spotlight and no longer wanting to be in his shadow. Either outcome can’t miss and it’s time for Bobby Fish to voice his thoughts on the group going their separate ways.

Ciampa dethrones WALTER

This is a ballsy take, trust me I know. But this is less about WALTER and more about the trajectory of Ciampa. He’s been treading water since returning and lacking some serious direction. He’s become the gatekeeper of the locker room while still having so much more to offer. The NXT UK champ has had a monumental run, and maybe he was finally convinced to leave the UK for an extended stay this time around.

A full-strength Imperium in NXT can fill the void of the disbanded Undisputed Era. WALTER has been champion for well over 700 days. Ciampa has been out of place since his feud with Karrion Kross and could breathe new air into the NXT UK brand for a limited time. This is a scenario where both sides can win. Expect Timothy Thatcher and Killian Dane to emerge post-match to send Ciampa on his way in style. Besides the big money is the matchup between WALTER and Finn Balor fans never got.

Balor and Kross fight to NC

The main event of Takeover night two features two of the brand’s most untouchable superstars. This is truly 50-50 booking as both competitors have been booked strong leading up to their bout. For that reason, this match should not determine a winner. The story that can be told between these two is far too big to be decided with one contest. Of course, nobody likes a dusty finish, but this is the opportunity for this battle to carry the NXT world title picture heading into summer.

Karrion Kross was skyrocketed to the top upon arrival, and chasing the title is the perfect way to unlock more of his character. On the contrary, and undefeated Kross should force Balor’s hand to unleash one of his characters. The internet will have a field day with a no-contest but all will be well when Kross versus the Demon headlines a later show.