NXT Preview - January 17, 2021
To quote Eric Bischoff….
I’m Parker Love, back from a week off of NXT Previews to bring you - well, whatever emotions you get out of reading my weekly previews! A big shout out to Spencer Love for covering for me last week, give his article a read if you missed it! However, the NXT Machine didn’t stop while I was gone, and it keeps on keepin’ on. Without further ado, lets get right into my NXT preview for Wednesday, January 17th!
Note: Spoilers are out there for these tapings, including here if you’d like to read!
The Main Event
The main event of this taping features the Street Profits taking on the Authors of Pain for #1 Contendership to the NXT Tag Team Championships. With last week’s DQ for SAniTy’s rematch, this is kind of unexpected. While this should be a decent match, I have a few issues.
- The Authors of Pain are still in NXT. They’ve really done everything that they can, and if the plans are to put the belts back on them, why? If not, I’m sure a win over the A.O.P would be huge for the current champs, The Undisputed Era, but I really don’t think know what’ll happen there. Akam and Rezar would be great on either Raw or Smackdown.
- The Street Profits are just not my cup of tea, and they really haven’t done anything huge. Yes, I know they’re undefeated on TV, but it’s not like they’re beating amazing teams. Maybe I’m just cynical about a team of grown men that hand out solo cups to children.
- Will SAniTy get a clean rematch, or is that just going to be swept under the rug?
I do have faith in NXT and HHH, so we’ll see where they go with the tag team division. I’ll be interested to see how they bridge the gap between these feuds and the next incoming talent from the independent scene. But, as of now, when it comes to the Street Profits…
Other Announced Matches
WWE.com is announcing two other segments: The first will be a match between The Messiah of the Backbreaker, Roderick Stron, and Fabian Aichner tonight. Roddy’s been great in NXT between the ropes, and his character work has been improving. Personally, I do like the storyline between him and the Undisputed Era; I’m hoping they continue with this and maybe the stable gets a bit bigger. On the other end, Fabian Aichner looks to be a future big player in NXT. His move-set is absolutely amazing, and I believe he could be a solid face with some character work. Every time he steps between the ropes, it seems like he does something amazing.
The other announced segment is a look at TM-61, which is exactly what I think they need. They’ve been great wrestlers thus far, and will be sure to gain some great babyface sympathy with this video package. And if there’s one thing WWE does really well, it’s video packages. These guys could be the next top face tag team. Hopefully these guys don’t break my heart like D.I.Y…
This still hurts.
The Title Scene
It seems like there’s a bit of a break tonight for the champs, with nothing officially announced thus far. Maybe we’ll see Shanya Baszler try to continue to establish herself as a contender for the NXT Women’s Championship? Her vs Ember Moon would be fantastic, as she seems to be the next resident big baddie in the women division. Her first match was solid, and her character thus far is simple but great. She wants to win, and she wants to hurt people. Simple, but effective.
Otherwise, I personally am pumped to see the Gargano vs Almas III. Johnny Wrestling’s character arc has been fantastic since his split with Tommasso Ciampa (Speaking of: This man could not be any more ominous), and you know I’m an Andrade Cien Almas/ Zelina Vega mark. The first two matches they had were great: I’m definitely excited to see what Johnny can do to even the odds.
Hey, Candice LeRae, are you busy?
A potential look at Adam Cole’s next feud.
Extra Thoughts
- One day, just once, I want to see Braun Strowman and Lars Sullivan both “Get these hands” from each other.
- The start of the year has been great for WWE with some major signings: Who do you want to see next in Full Sail? Ethan Carter III, who is now a free agent? Maybe a long shot like Matt Riddle?
- Adam Cole vs Aleister Black. Extreme Rules match. Takeover: Philly, come soon.
- A theory I read: Tommasso Ciampa comes back at Philly to help Johnny Gargano win the title: But just to hold it over Gargano’s head that he couldn’t win the belt on his own, and that Ciampa wants nothing more to take the NXT Championship away from him. The more I think about the options they have, the more I can’t wait for this feud.
That’s about it from me! Nothing too huge on this episode, but who knows if we’ll see any other extracurricular things on NXT? Any thoughts and predictions? Feel free to tweet me personally @Parkman15Love, or @WCSportsCA to let us know your thoughts!
And to leave you on a high note, and to get ready for War Machine:
Have a good one, and keep your shoulders off the mat!
WWE Last 5:
- Smackdown Live Preview: January 16, 2021
- Monday Night Spencer: January 15, 2021
- 5 things I want to see from WWE in 2018
- Breaking: Paige “Done” as WWE In-Ring Performer
- NXT Preview and Predictions: January 10, 2021
