Next Wednesday, May 20, WWE NXT will present their quarterly NXT Takeover show, live on the WWE Network. These NXT live specials are typically must-see television for anyone who considers themselves a serious wrestling fan. Every NXT Takeover special in the past has been loaded, top to bottom, with some of the best wrestling WWE has to offer, and next week’s card appears to be continuing that tradition.
The main event for NXT Takeover: Unstoppable features Kevin Owens defending his NXT Championship against challenger, and former champion, Sami Zayn. Zayn suffered a serious shoulder injury during a match with John Cena during WWE RAW on May 4. It was assumed at the time that Zayn was likely going to be pulled from NXT Takeover , however as of last word , WWE is still planning on going forward with the match. WWE’s doctors have yet to rule Sami Zayn physically unable to compete, and it appears they are counting on Zayn to continue his strong tradition of high level performances during NXT Takeover events.
Also advertised for the NXT Takeover card is Hideo Itami taking on Finn Balor and Tyler Breeze in a three-way match to determine the number one contender for the NXT Championship. However, this bout is likely to be changed, as Itami recently suffered an injury that could reportedly keep him out of action for 6-8 months. In fact, WWE has pulled Itami from an upcoming tour of Japan that he had been advertised for. NXT Champion Kevin Owens will replace Itami on the Japanese tour.
Also on the Japanese tour, it has just been announced that NXT’s Finn Balor will be taking on Chris Jericho. This will be the first time these two have ever stepped foot in a wrestling ring together, and it should be an incredible match.
As far as the women’s division goes at NXT Takeover , the future WWE Divas will be competing in two separate matches. In a bout for the NXT Women’s Championship, Sasha Banks will defend her belt against Becky Lynch. Lynch has been on a roll lately, and Banks appears ready to make the jump from NXT to the main roster at any moment. In addition to the women’s title match, WWE announced on Wednesday that Emma and Dana Brooke will take on Bayley and Charlotte at Takeover .
Rounding out the NXT Takeover card, Blake and Murphy will defend their NXT Tag Team Championships at Takeover against the team of Big Cass and Enzo Amore, and former ECW Champion Rhyno will be in action at in a match with a fellow brawler, Baron Corbin.
[Image via WWE.com]
