Hey, hey, it's NXT Takeover: San Antonio preview time!
Roderick Strong Vs. Andrade "Cien" Almas
Almas has actually been somewhat entertaining during his heel turn, as it looks like he's channeling his Los Ingobernables roots. Still, it's hard for me to see Strong losing in his first major match. I'm not a huge fan of Strong, simply because he's hot garbage on the mic which limits his ceiling, but he's a good in-ring guy and this could certainly be a good match.
Winner: Roderick Strong
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Tye Dillinger Vs. Eric Young
This is a tough one to call. I personally think Dillinger is ready for a serious push, either in NXT or on the main roster. He's gotten himself over in a big way, is a likable face, and has a fantastic chant that audiences have embraced. He should have a rocket strapped to him and they should see if he can handle a main event. That said, I think Dillinger may also be a main roster candidate, and I think that, if there's a god, he'll debut at number ten in the Royal Rumble. But, if he's main roster bound, he also has to lose this match, so I'm going with Eric Young. I think Young has a future as NXT champion, and I think they specifically signed him to beef up NXT cards for house shows (although he will likely end up on the main roster eventually).
Winner: Eric Young
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NXT Tag Team Championship Match - DIY (c) Vs. The Authors of Pain
I don't really know what to think of the Authors of Pain. I can't really think of a match by them that's been particularly memorable, and so I worry that this match may not deliver, especially given some of the classic tag team matches the past few Takeovers have given us. Still, DIY is a great team featuring two incredibly talented in-ring guys, so that gives me hope that this can outperform my somewhat low expectations. I can't remember the last bad DIY match I've seen. This is hard to call, because for all I know, DIY could be main roster bound. Smackdown in particular could use a bit of a boost with Ryder sidelined. Assuming that DIY is staying in NXT, I think they take this match and continue to feud with AOP for a while longer.
Winner: DIY
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NXT Women's Championship Match: Asuka (c) Vs. Nikki Cross Vs. Billie Kay Vs. Peyton Royce
A fatal four way is a pretty perfect opportunity for NXT to take the title off of Asuka without having her actually lose, and I think they'll use it in exactly that manner. Asuka should be on the main roster. She's just too good and deserves one of the women's championships on either Raw or Smackdown. While I like both Kay and Royce, I'm not sure either of them is really ready for a title run, and the booking of the title has generally avoided the girls who aren't ready. I think Cross takes this one and then goes on to feud with Ember Moon eventually. Of course, they could just keep the belt on Asuka until Ember Moon takes it from her, but I think Cross is good enough and ready enough to hold the belt for a while.
Winner: Nikki Cross
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NXT Championship Match - Shinsuke Nakamura Vs. Bobby Roode
If nothing else, this match should give us two unforgettable entrances. The actual match is less certain. Nakamura put on a MOTY candidate back at Takeover: Dallas, but he hasn't put on a classic since then. Roode, similarly, has been good but not great so far in NXT> There's a lot of potential in this one, but it's hard to know exactly what it will deliver. I do think they keep the belt on Nakamura, though, at least for one more Takeover. Personally, I think he drops the title to Chris Hero in the dream match we all deserve.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
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All in all, this is a solid card. It's not as good as the last Takeover card on paper, but it's been a long while since we've had a bad Takeover, so I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt.