6 Biggest Takeaways From NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day

4. LA Knight/Eli Drake Signs NXT Contract

Not much happens on the 30-minute pre-show for TakeOvers. There isn’t even a match. Just a couple of dudes hyping up the card.

However, Vengeance Day wanted to mix it up a bit as Wade Barrett was randomly interrupted by former NWA and TNA phenomenon, Eli Drake. Now going by the ridiculous name LA Knight.

Later in the show, Knight signed his official NXT contract. His presence on the roster should be a graceful one, although, his direction on the brand is yet to be seen.

Matches against Finn Balor, Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Pete Dunne and Karrion Kross to name a few, already sound fascinating and therefore, a star like Knight is a fresh face for the Wednesday Night fight.

Best of luck to LA Knight – his options on the black and gold brand are boundless. Let’s just hope he isn’t EC3’d on the main roster.

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3. Io Shirai Retains NXT Women’s Championship

Io Shirai managed to survive the onslaught from contenders Toni Storm and Mercedes Martinez in a very good display of physical innovation.

There is a strong reason why Shirai is known as a ‘Genius of the Sky’ as she just freefalls from anything. For example, she leapt from the scaffolding structure in the Capitol Wrestling Center onto her opponents. She is basically a safer version of Jeff Hardy and Shane McMahon.

Then there is Mercedes Martinez. She has proven that her days in RETRIBUTION as RETALIATION are behind her as she was a beast in this match. Definitely a threat to be reckoned with in the NXT women’s division and a clear future NXT Women’s Champion.

Finally, we have Toni Storm. A technical powerhouse, willing to use any body part to inflict damage. Even if this means breaking the announcer’s table with one single glare.

This spot was comedic and out of nowhere, but it was saddening to see this botch ruin the momentum of what was a splendid match.

Big congratulations to the three women for continuing at their fast-pace. Although, unfortunately, this mistake resulted in the match ending 10 minutes earlier than expected.

Looking forward from this show, a singles feud between Shirai and Storm seems like the best bet. They have thrilling chemistry in the ring so a big “yes please” for that.

• TakeOver: Vengeance Day
• Undisputed Era
• Finn Balor
• nxt

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