Reviews

The John Report: WWE NXT 08/10/21 Review

By John Canton • Published 11th August 2021

Welcome to the WWE NXT review here on TJRWrestling. It’s back on USA Network in the US after two weeks on Syfy due to the Summer Olympics. There are rumors of changes to NXT after about a dozen wrestlers were released over the last week. I don’t like that a lot of talented people lost their job. It sucks. The NXT roster has a lot of talent, though, so I hope they continue to grow together. I’m not sure if those changes will be sudden or if they happen in the weeks ahead, but I assume any changes will be held off until after the next Takeover. What I do know is I’m looking forward to NXT Takeover 37 on Sunday, August 22.

This episode is taking place at the Capitol Wrestling Center at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Check out my WWE NXT review archive here. Let’s get to it.

The show began with a video recapping some of last week’s episode while also previewing what’s to come this week.

There was a shot of the CWC to begin the show with the crowd behind the barricades. The announce team of Vic Joseph and Wade Barrett was shown at ringside with no Beth Phoenix because she’s on vacation.

Dakota Kai entered for the first match with a promo. Dakota said she hopes Raquel Gonzalez is watching because she’s about to beat the undefeated Sarray and she will prove she is nobody’s sidekick. Kai said she is the next NXT Women’s Champion.

Sarray entered as the opponent. She was supposed to face Ember Moon, but Moon is not medically cleared to compete, so they put her against Kai instead.

.@wwenxt This has been an extremely rough month, I am angry and gutted! I was really looking forward to this match and getting back on track but just got another pothole in the road. I'm sorry! https://t.co/ZcX0hPqII2
— Athena is ROH and All Elite! (@AthenaPalmer_FG) August 10, 2021

I don’t know what happened to Ember, but I hope we get to see her in the ring again soon.

Dakota Kai vs. Sarray

Sarray with an armbar, so Kai did a hair pull to get out of it. Sarray jumped over a charging Kai, Sarray with kicks and Sarray hit an impressive arm drag. Sarray with a body slam. Sarray tied up the legs of Kai and bridged back for a submission on Kai, but Kai pulled the hair to get out of it. Kai with a kick to the upper back. Kai put her foot against the throat of Sarray for a two count. Kai choked Sarray against the rope while the fans chanted “you suck” at Kai and Kai kicked Sarray in the back. Kai with a suplex, Sarray up and Kai did another hair pull. Sarray charged into a rollup attempt. Sarray with a half crab submission as she bridged back and Kai got her hand on the bottom rope. Sarray jumped onto Kai’s back with both feet on the back. Sarray with a Fisherman’s suplex for a two count. That led to a break.

(Commercial)

Sarray was in control as she avoided a pump kick and Sarray hit a bridging German Suplex for a two count. Kai sent Sarray into the turnbuckle followed by the running kick that she likes to do for a two count. Kai with a Scorpion Kick to the head, but Sarray came back with a running dropkick. Sarray hit a running dropkick against Kai against the ropes. Kai avoided a dropkick and then hit a boot to the head. They showed Raquel Gonzalez arriving at the building. Sarray got a couple of nearfalls. Sarray with two kicks, but then Sarray went to the turnbuckle and Kai hit another pump kick to the face for the pinfall win. It went 13 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Dakota Kai

Analysis: ***1/4 Good wrestling match with a decisive finish. It was a big win for Kai to give her some more positive momentum going into her Takeover match against Raquel Gonzalez. It sucks that they had Sarray in this spot, but the original match was Ember Moon against Sarray, then they subbed Kai in for an injured Moon and I would have disliked it if Kai lost this match. It just makes more sense for Kai to get the win here.

Post match, Kai tried attacking Sarray again, but Raquel Gonzalez showed up to stop her. Kai ran away. Gonzalez grabbed a microphone saying that if Kai wanted an opportunity all she had to do was ask, but now she gets her chance at Takeover. Gonzalez said that she’s going to tear Kai apart.

Analysis: Good intensity shown by Gonzalez. It’s fine to have Kai run away as a cowardly heel. Raquel won’t have to change that much as a face. She’ll be the same character she was and just be matched up against heels instead of faces.

There was a scene with Dexter Lumis showing up at the Gargano House (with flowers) to take Indi Hartwell out on a date. Gargano told him to bring her back by 10 pm. Lumis never said anything while he was there. Lumis and Hartwell left with Gargano telling Candice that he has a tracker, so they can follow them.

(Commercial)

The Hit Row group was shown together with a fire burning in front of them talking about the disrespect from the Legado del Fantasma group. Isaiah “Swerve” Scott threw a mask into the fire.

Let’s Hear from Ilja Dragunov

Ilja Dragunov made his entrance in all black gear for his NXT debut. Dragunov is a regular in NXT UK and will face WALTER at NXT Takeover 36 in less than two weeks.

Dragunov said that he’s a man of few words. Dragunov said that his fighting spirit has meant something. Dragunov said that he has put all his strength not on his mouth, but in his fists. Dragunov said with these fists, he will make the unthinkable happen. Dragunov said that at Takeover he’ll witness chaos, rage and an unbeatable kingdom will fall when he ends WALTER’s reign to become the NXT UK Champion. Here comes the interruption.

Pete Dunne made his entrance alone. Dunne got in the ring telling Dragunov he owes him a big thank you. Dunne said that he put NXT UK on the map and carried the entire continent of Europe on his back. Dunne called himself the baddest man in NXT. Dunne said if he stayed in NXT he would have put him in his place a long time ago. Dragunov said he’s not here because of Dunne. Dragunov said he’s there for giving everything he has and made his way straight to the top. Dragunov said that he will make the impossible possible and beat WALTER, which is something Dunne can’t change and something Dunne couldn’t do. Dragunov said that was in two weeks and Dragunov challenged Dunne to a fight tonight. Dunne called him stupid while adding that Dragunov won’t make it to Takeover.

Analysis: That’s a hard-hitting match to look forward to later in the show. I like it. I figured we might see Dragunov get interrupted by Imperium members Marcel Barthel and/or Fabian Aichner, but I don’t mind that it was Dunne, who is one of my favorites in NXT. Dragunov’s promo was decent enough for a guy whose first language isn’t English.

LA Knight and Cameron Grimes were interviewed by Mckenzie Mitchell. Knight ripped on Grimes for making mistakes and telling Grimes he was destined to be a butler. Knight ended the promo asking Grimes whose game is it and Grimes had to say “it’s LA Knight’s game” and Grimes had to put the Million Dollar Title on Knight’s shoulder. Knight’s in action after the break.

(Commercial)

LA Knight (w/Cameron Grimes) vs. Andre Chase

Knight with a shoulder tackle, Chase with a hiptoss and an armdrag. Knight sent Chase into the ropes throat first and Knight hit his forward neckbreaker driver for the pinfall win in about 30 seconds.

Winner by pinfall: LA Knight

Analysis: A squash win to put over Knight. That was quick.

Post match, LA Knight wanted Grimes to shine his boots, but here comes WWE Hall of Famer Ted Dibiase to join the wrestlers in the ring.

Dibiase told Knight and Grimes that this has gone too far. Dibiase said that he knows Grimes is a man of his word. Dibiase told Grimes he could be doing a lot of other things, he could be doing a lot more and Ted said he believes in him while the fans believe in Grimes as well. The fans chanted “to the moon” to Grimes. Knight wondered if Ted had something to say or if he wanted to get punched in the mouth again. Dibiase looked like he forgot what to say. Dibiase told Grimes he can be whatever he wants to be and he should be follow his heart. Dibiase said that Grimes wants to be a champion and he can be a champion if Knight puts the title on the line again. Grimes said that he’s beaten Grimes two times. Knight said that at Takeover 36, Grimes can have a shot at the Million Dollar Title, but then if Knight wins then Grimes won’t be the butler…Ted Dibiase will be the butler! Dibiase said that he was a gambling man and his money is on Cameron Grimes and he’s got a lot of money. Dibiase told Knight: “You are on.” Knight’s music played to end it.

Analysis: That’s certainly a unique stipulation for the match. I think Ted forgot some of his lines out there, so at least the guys were there to react to him and he was able to get through it just fine. That Takeover match will likely be the feud ender with the babyface Grimes getting the win to end his run as Knight’s butler. It’s gone on long enough. The feud has been effective in terms of Grimes becoming a popular face and earning the respect of the fans, as well as Dibiase. Knight is one of the better heels in NXT too.

There was a backstage scene with roses with Gigi Dolan talking about how this isn’t just their job, this is everything to them. Dolan said that this is about taking out every woman in this division and she’s not doing it alone.

Analysis: The roses mean Mandy Rose is involved and we saw Mandy talking to Gigi in the past, so I assume they will be allies. I think that’s a good move.

(Commercial)

Gigi Dolan entered with Jacy Jayne with Dolan carrying a rose down to the ring.

Gigi Dolan (w/Jacy Jayne) vs. Amari Miller

Dolan with a snapmare leading to her shoving Miller in the face. Dolan with a back elbow, Miller with a forearm and a neckbreaker. Nolan pulled back on Miller’s arm against the bottom rope. Dolan connected with two running forearms and she did a move where it was like an abdominal stretch into a spinning slam for the pinfall win. Cool finisher. It went about two minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Gigi Dolan

Analysis: * A dominant win to put over Dolan, who looks to be getting a pretty good push now. I like that because she’s got a lot of talent and a unique look. That finisher was really cool. I have never seen a move like that with somebody doing a move out of an abdominal stretch like that. No sign of Mandy Rose with this group yet. That’s a shame. I like seeing Mandy.

Mandy Rose wasn’t on NXT, but she did tweet this about it.

Congrats @gigidolin_wwe on your victory! It sure seems like the advice is already paying off. 😉 @jacyjaynewwe
— Mandy (@mandysacs) August 11, 2021

The face to face between Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly was up next at the top of hour two.

(Commercial)

There was a scene of Dexter Lumis and Indi Hartwell at the restaurant. Indi ordered some food while Dexter said nothing again. Indi could hear Johnny Gargano talking on a walkie-talkie somehow, so then Indi saw Candice sitting in the restaurant. Indi talked to Johnny and then Candice told Johnny to abort, so Candice left. Indi went back to Dexter for the date.

Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly – Face to Face

The NXT General Manager William Regal was in the ring standing behind a podium. Regal had security guys in the ring. They were NXT trainees including some top prospects like Bronson Rechsteiner (son of Rick Steiner) and the big man Parker Boudreaux was there as well. Regal talked about how this was about Cole vs. O’Reilly III in the Undisputed Finale.

Adam Cole made his entrance with the fans chanting “Boom” and “Adam Cole bay bay” right on cue. Cole has been in the wrestling news a lot lately since we know his WWE contract is up at Takeover later this month and apparently Cole met with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon to talk about his future. Is Cole staying or going? I don’t know.

Kyle O’Reilly made his entrance and got into the ring with Cole. Both guys had microphones in hand.

Regal informed the wrestlers that their match at Takeover will be two out of three falls. They can pick a stipulation for the first two falls and then Regal gets to pick the third fall.

Kyle said that he actually respects William Regal, so that’s why he’s not ripping Cole’s head off now. Kyle said that the loss at Great American Bash doesn’t sit well with him. Kyle said at Takeover 36 the stipulation will be a straight up wrestling match won by pinfall or submission. Kyle said that a loss will shatter Cole’s ego.

Cole told Kyle that he was delusional because he lives in a fantasy world where he thinks he’s a better competitor than Kyle in every way at this job. Cole said he beat Kyle at Great American Bash fair and square, but he guesses Kyle was hanging onto that win at Stand & Deliver that technically doesn’t count because it was unsanctioned. Cole said that a few weeks ago, Kyle smashed Cole’s head into the steel steps. Cole said that the second fall needs to be a Street Fight. Cole said don’t worry about the third fall because they aren’t going to a third fall because he’ll put an end to their saga.

Kyle said that Cole taught him to smash Cole’s head into the steel steps (since Cole did it to Kyle months ago). Kyle said that he’s got his priorities straight now because he is literally willing to do anything to put Cole down for good. Kyle said he just doesn’t care. Kyle said now that he doesn’t give a damn, he’s the most dangerous man that Cole has been in the ring with. Cole said that for 13 years, Kyle has tried to live up to Cole’s legacy and been riding on Cole’s coattails. Cole told Kyle that he will never be Adam Cole. Cole said that he is the greatest NXT superstar that this brand has ever seen, nobody has ever touched him and never will while telling Kyle that he’s just a footnote in Cole’s career. Cole told Kyle he doesn’t have a killer instinct and he’s soft. Cole told Kyle he means nothing to him. Cole shoved Kyle, so then Kyle punched back and security got involved to hold them back.

William Regal announced that if they need a third fall then it will be contested in a Steel Cage Match. That was it.

Analysis: This was really good as expected. I’m fine with the 2/3 Falls Match style of match because it’s a fitting end to the rivalry. I don’t like the Steel Cage match that much as the third fall because those kinds of matches can be disappointing. The first two falls should be better. Anyway, I expect Kyle to get the win to put an end to the rivalry. After that, Cole is either staying in WWE likely on Raw or Smackdown or heading to another promotion like AEW where his girlfriend Britt Baker is a top star. I don’t know what he’s going to do. I’d love to see Cole stay in WWE to have some fresh rivalries in Raw or Smackdown, but if he leaves that’s his choice too. I watch and review AEW as well, so I’ll support Adam wherever he goes next. My guess? I think he’ll stay in WWE after getting a big raise and we’ll see if he gets that significant push that goes along with it.

Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher were shown backstage for a pre-tape promo. Ciampa talked about how Pete Dunne & Oney Lorcan got some help from Ridge Holland to try to take them out. Ciampa said that Holland is not like them since they are men that have been around the world choosing their craft. Ciampa said that they define everything that is good and pure about this industry. Ciampa challenged Holland to a match, but then Thatcher stopped him and said Holland vs. Thatcher. Thatcher: “Class is in session.” That was it.

(Commercial)

There was a short promo from the Imperium duo of Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel doing their usual promo. MSK did a promo that interrupted them where they basically said if Imperium wants to come after them then they are ready.

Analysis: The NXT men’s tag team division has a lot of talented teams, but they haven’t been featured as much of late. We found out later that there’s a tag team title match next week.

NXT Breakout Tournament Semifinals: Odyssey Jones vs. Trey Baxter

There was a big size difference here since Jones is 405 pounds and Baxter is 180 pounds. The fans chanted “Odyssey” for the big man because they like the guy a lot. Baxter tried doing a move, but Jones caught him and hit a belly to back slam across the ring. Baxter went up top, so Jones slammed him off the top rope. Baxter tried grabbing a headlock, but Jones powered out of that. Baxter with two kicks to the head, then a kick to the right leg and a dropkick to the right leg, so Jones was on his knees and Baxter hit a DDT. Baxter with a spin kick for a pin attempt, but Jones powered it. Jones avoided a charging Baxter, Jones hit a corner splash against the turnbuckle and a spinning sitout slam got the pinfall win after three minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Odyssey Jones

Analysis: *1/4 A dominant win for the big man Jones, who has the support of the crowd. There have been indications that WWE’s bosses want to utilize bigger wrestlers more, so that’s a good thing for Jones.

The victory means Odyssey Jones goes to the finals against Carmelo Hayes or Duke Hudson, who is the bigger man in that match.

Odyssey Jones was interviewed at ringside with the fans chanting for him. Jones said he’s excited to be in the finals followed by a shoutout to his mama because he’s made it.

Analysis: I think Jones vs. Hudson might be the finals, but I like Hayes the most. I just think it’s a case of WWE wanting to push the bigger guy Hudson.

There was a brief video from Tian Sha about how disobedience will not be tolerated.

(Commercial)

Kushida was shown walking out of Mr. Regal’s office and so was Malcolm Bivens, who handed his card to some security guys. William Regal said that next week, Imperium will face MSK for the NXT Tag Team Championships and Kushida will defend the NXT Cruiserweight Championship against Roderick Strong.

Analysis: The Kushida/Strong match has had some build, so it makes sense to do the Cruiserweight Title match. The tag teams haven’t had a storyline building to match, but I guess NXT felt like they needed two put some title matches on the show. Both matches should be great, so that’s fine with me.

They showed the tweet from Mandy Rose congratulating Gigi Dolin for the win.

Boa (w/Mei Ying) vs. Drake Maverick

They haven’t used Boa in singles action very much this year. Boa delivered two kicks to send Maverick into the corner. Maverick came back with kicks to the leg, Boa with an uppercut punch and Maverick came back with a chop block. Maverick bounced off the ropes and Boa hit a palm strike to the face. Boa kicked Maverick in the back and then he picked up Maverick by the left arm. Maverick was on Boa’s shoulders, then he did a flying headscissors and two low dropkicks. Boa rolled out to the floor. Maverick was up top and he hit somersault dive onto Boa on the floor. Good spot there. Maverick wrenched Boa’s leg against the apron and Mei Ying sprayed some mist into Drake’s face. I guess the referee missed it. Boa delivered a roundhouse kick to the head for the pinfall win after three minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Boa

Analysis: *1/2 A cheap win for Boa thanks to the assist from the mysterious Mei Ying outside the ring. Maverick got plenty of offense including that cool move off the top to the floor. This was all about putting over Boa, who hasn’t been pushed that much, but maybe he will get a push moving forward.

Mei Ying sat back down on her chair with Boa by her side.

(Commercial)

It was back to the restaurant with Indi saying Dexter is too funny saying she can talk to him all night (the joke is he never speaks). Indi said she always had room for dessert. Johnny Gargano showed up as a waiter with a kick and he was dressed in a wig and fake mustache. Johnny told Indi that Dexter better be paying for dinner. Johnny and Indi argued over the cake, so the cake ended up in Dexter’s face. Indi said she always had room for dessert, so she had some cake. They leaned in for a kiss, but Indi put her hand on the camera to block the shot.

Analysis: The skits were silly and not necessarily good wrestling comedy, but that’s what WWE does sometimes. Anyway, I like that Indi’s personality continues to grow while Lumis remains a mysterious figure.

Target Takeover: Karrion Kross vs. Samoa Joe

There was a video package about the rivalry between NXT Champion Karrion Kross and Samoa Joe. Kross talked about wanting to cause chaos. Joe said that part of his job meant that he had to slap people in the mouth and Kross had a big mouth while also having a championship. Kross said that Joe is not that different from Kross because he likes to hurt people and there’s nothing wrong with that. Joe said that Kross is a very dangerous individual while Joe claimed he was much more dangerous. Kross said that Joe just wants to control things. Kross said that Joe was just another opportunist. Joe said it’s not about the championship, he’s there to f**k him up. Kross said that it was his duty to make sure Joe goes to sleep. Kross said when Joe goes out cold, so will the past of NXT. Kross said in the end, everybody pays the toll. They also played a promo with Joe saying he’ll be NXT Champion.

Analysis: This video was awesome. It’s a big match that has been built up very well over the last few months. I think Joe is going to win the NXT Title with Kross leaving the NXT brand because we have already seen Kross on Raw.

Next week on NXT: Karrion Kross and Samoa Joe meet face to face.

The Dragunov vs. Dunne main event was up next.

(Commercial)

Next week on NXT it’s “Title Tuesday” as they are calling it:

* MSK defends the NXT Tag Team Titles against Imperium

* Kushida defends the NXT Cruiserweight Title against Roderick Strong

* NXT Breakout Tournament Semifinals: Duke Hudson vs. Carmelo Hayes

Pete Dunne entered for the main event. There was no sign of his allies Oney Lorcan and Ridge Holland this week. Dunne apparently has a contract up soon, so there are rumors about his wrestling future.

Ijla Dragunov entered as the opponent. He is from Moscow, Russia and has a cool entrance. This is his first time wrestling in the American version of NXT since he’s an NXT UK regular. Dragunov faces WALTER for the NXT UK Championship at Takeover 36 in a rematch of their WWE Match of the Year last year.

Pete Dunne vs. Ilja Dragunov

Dragunov with a fireman’s carry into an armbar that Dunne turned into an armbar. They both got back up, then Dunne got a trip into a submission where he pulled back on Dragunov’s legs. Dunne hit a jumping knee to the jaw followed up with a knee to the back. Dunne with a hard open hand uppercut to the jaw. Dragunov came back with a lefty clothesline. Dragunov did a Matrix move avoiding a clothesline and hit a huge clothesline. Dragunov hit a suplex across the ring followed by a knee drop off the middle rope for two. Dragunov with forearms to the chest. Dragunov jumped off the ropes and Dunne crushed him with a forearm to the chest! Ouch. That sounded loud. Dragunov rolled out of the ring for a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

Dunne remained in control as he grounded Dragunov with his knee onto the left arm. They got into a slugfest as they exchanged forearms, Dragunov hit repeated clotheslines and Dunne kicked the right arm. Dragunov hit clotheslines, then off the ropes and hit another running clothesline as both guys were down on the mat. Dragunov with repeated elbows to the head, then he got a hold of Dunne in a cradle and hit a spinning suplex for two. Dunne with a kick to the arm while Dragunov was on the mat, Dragunov came back with a chop and a senton, but Dunne took him down with an armbar. Dragunov went for a submission although Dunne was ready with a knee to the face. Dunne went for a Triangle Choke submission, Dragunov got out of that with a Powerbomb and that got a two count. Dragunov with a forearm to the face for two. Both guys were out on the mat selling exhaustion as the fans chanted “NXT” for them. Dunne was bending the fingers, Dunne kicked Dragunov, then stomped on the hands and Dragunov sold the hand injury after using the ropes. Dunne with another stomp on elbow and a forearm to the jaw. Dunne went for the Bitter End, Dragunov slipped out of it and Dunne went for an armbar on the right arm. Dragunov bridged back into a lifting bridging German Suplex like move for a two count. Dragunov jumped off the top with a senton backsplash. Dragunov went to the corner to set up for the next move, but then the familiar music of Imperium hit as NXT UK Champion WALTER made his entrance. WALTER went down to the ring, so Dragunov kicked Dunne out of the ring. Dunne went back into the ring, but Dragunov was ready with a jumping knee. Dragunov charged in and Dunne hit a forearm. Dunne hit the Bitter End slam for the pinfall win after 14 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Pete Dunne

Analysis: ***1/2 This was a great match between two great athletes that wrestle in a physical style. I didn’t like the ending. One of the things I hate about some WWE match finishes is when the music of another wrestler plays during a match to cause a distraction. If you want to have WALTER show up at the finish then that’s fine, but do you really need to play the music? It just takes away from the match for me. I would have rated it higher if they had more of a clean finish. For people that aren’t used to seeing what kind of wrestler Dragunov is, this was a nice preview of what to expect at Takeover. Dunne getting a win (even though it was cheap because Dragunov was distracted) could definitely be a sign that he’s sticking around WWE long-term although I don’t know if he’s signed a new contract.

After the match, WALTER went into the ring with NXT UK Championship. Dunne shrugged his shoulders at him and left.

WALTER picked up Dragunov leading to a hard slap to the face. Dragunov fought out of a hold from WALTER and hit a Torpedo Moscow running forearm that knocked WALTER out of the ring. Dragunov held the NXT UK Championship in his hands while WALTER was on the floor. Dragunov stared down at the title and WALTER. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: A good ending to the show with Dragunov standing tall as he fought off WALTER’s attempt at a cheap attack. I think a title change is certainly possible at NXT Takeover 36 with Dragunov being the right guy to end WALTER’s two-year run as NXT UK Champion. I’m really looking forward to that match.

Three Stars of the Show

Pete Dunne
Ilja Dragunov
Dakota Kai/Sarray

The Scoreboard

This week: 7.25 out of 10

Last week: 6.75

2021 Average: 7.41

Final Thoughts

It was a good episode of NXT as usual. I went under 7 out of 10 for the last three weeks, so I was back over that mark this week. I think the casual WWE viewer might not be as interested in a show like this because Ilja Dragunov is not an NXT regular, but I like the guy a lot. Pete Dunne is an awesome wrestler that could be used better as well. The ending to the main event was cheap with WALTER causing a distraction, but I get why it was done too. Dragunov came across as very likable throughout the show as well.

Most of the match finishes made sense. There were some shorter ones obviously to try to feature some different people and then Dakota Kai beating Sarray was the right call to give Kai some momentum going into Takeover 36 against Raquel Gonzalez. As I noted earlier, it was fine to have Kai run away from Gonzalez. Save that interaction for the match.

The promo segment with Cole/O’Reilly was good with Cole standing out the most with his promo. I was a bit surprised that they didn’t have Karrion Kross or Samoa Joe on the show in person. Yes, they were featured in a great video package that I liked a lot, but that’s not the same as being in the building. They can make up for it in the Face to Face segment next week. The Takeover 36 lineup, which you can see below, appears to be full with five matches. I guess Swerve vs. Escobar might be added to it, but that could be a TV match. We’ll also get two title matches next week, so that’s cool.

Here’s the lineup for NXT Takeover 36 on Sunday, August 22nd so far.