NXT Preview - June 6, 2020

WWE’s best programming - okay, maybe tied with 205 Live for best programming - comes back tonight as the build to Chicago continues. With the match card mostly set, what else with NXT bring to the table tonight? I’m @Parkman15Love with your weekly NXT preview, available only on Win Column Sports!

A recap of last week’s episode:

• Lars Sullivan interrupts a promo from Aleister Black, becomes #1 contender
• War Raiders squash local talent
• EC3 over Fabien Aichner. Johnny Gargano interrupts the match and announces he signed a contract for a street fight with Tommaso Ciampa
• Ricochet over Chris Dijak. Velveteen Dream comes out and tries to one up Ricochet, but Ricochet is too cool for that.

• Shayna Baszler retains the NXT Women’s Championship over Dakota Kai. After the match, Nikki Cross makes the save and steals the belt.

The Main Event

The official preview for WWE.com  lists the rubber match between Lacey Evans and Kairi Sane as our main event tonight. At the start of this feud, I was extremely lukewarm on Evans, and expected bigger things from Sane. Sometimes I forget this is supposed to be developmental though. Both women have done a good job investing in this feud, and making their stock rise within NXT. I fully expect Sane to get the win here though, and move into the championship scene after TakeOver: Chicago.

Other Segments

TM61 are still douchebags. I am a fan of their heel turn already, as they’re about 100x more interesting as bad guys in my opinion. Tonight, they take on enhancement talent.

WWE’s version of Scar from Lion King makes his return tonight as Tommaso Ciampa addresses his upcoming Street Fight with Johnny Gargano. After their classic at Takeover: New Orleans, I thought it was over. However, both men have continued to make this feud must see TV, and it now looks like this feud will wrap up where it all began.

We’ll also be treated to a match between Danny Burch and Roderick Strong, as well as hear from NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler. 

The Championship Scene

Aleister Black has his Takeover opponent. After beating both Dream & Ricochet in a handicap match, Lars Sullivan was made #1 contender. He caught a black mass and hit Aleister with a Freak Accident to stand tall in their first meeting. Thus, this match was made. But am I the only one who thinks putting Lars as #1 contender is a bit…rushed? Not a knock at his talent. But should he take a loss here? After being built as an unstoppable monster, is it just too early for him to lose? Or is it too early for him to get the belt? I’m a bit unsure.

Newly exclusive Danny Burch will go one-on-one with the Undisputed Era’s Roderick Strong tonight. Burch is coming off of a huge win in 6 man tag action vs. UE, while also getting the winning pinfall. Will he continue his winning ways? Or, will the resident cool kids on the block cost Danny Burch? Expect a great match here. Roderick seems incapable of having a bad match nowadays, and his heel turn has made him just that much more interesting.

After retaining her NXT Women’s Championship over Dakota Kai, Shayna Baszler decided to send more of a message post-match. This brought out Nikki Cross, who hit Baszler with her finisher and ran off with the belt in tow. Tonight, the Queen of Spades will respond to Cross’ actions. I’ve long thought Cross has been underused in NXT, and a shot at the belt could be a final send off for her in NXT. Honestly, I hope WWE realizes what a mistake it would be to bring up SAnitY without her, and is just holding off.

Finally, Adam Cole still holds the North American Championship. I would like to see him in action a bit more, but he’s also scheduled to defend it at the UK Tournament on June 19.

My Thoughts

The result will be the same at Takeover Chicago. #ELIMINATED pic.twitter.com/WXUQEVUYW9

— The One And Only! (@KingRicochet) June 3, 2020

• How good is the social media build to Ricochet vs Velveteen Dream been? One reason I feel Dream is so good is because he elevates both superstars in a feud, and that’s exactly whats happening here. This will be match of the night at TakeOver.
• I was extremely happy to see Chris Dijak (Donovan Dijak) make his TV debut in NXT against Ricochet. If you get the chance, check out his prior work; this guy really has an impressive move-set.
• Lio Rush has apparently moved on from NXT, and will make the move to 205 Live. This guy can wrestle - and it seems he’s getting over his backstage heat.
• Will we see the classic “show up in the crowd at Takeover” debut for Keith Lee? I sure hope so!

10 days until Takeover! Are you excited! Let me know by tweeting me @Parkman15Love. Thanks for reading!

WWE Last 5!

• Monday Night Hayden: 04/06/18 Preview
• Raw Thoughts: The Brief Case for Lana as Ms. Money in the Bank
• NXT Preview: May 30
• P.W.A Recap and Reactions: Adrenalize, May 26
• Smackdown Live Preview: May 29