On Wednesday night, NXT will present its latest TakeOver live special, which airs exclusively on the WWE Network. This is the seventh such live event for WWE’s developmental promotion and the first to be headlined by a women’s match.
NXT TakeOver: Respect, the full rundown and why you should care
Bill Hanstock is a writer, author and Emmy Award-winning producer. He began writing for SB Nation in 2011.
If you haven’t seen NXT before and you’re a wrestling fan, what the heck is your problem man you’re in for a treat. Every TakeOver to date has been nothing less than fantastic and Wednesday’s NXT TakeOver: Respect will feature the final two rounds of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament, as well as the first-ever Iron Woman match. It’s certain to be an emotional night, if not an instant classic.
NXT TakeOver: Respect begins at 8 p.m. ET on the WWE Network, with a live pre-show beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Let’s run down the full card and get you nice and pumped up for what should be a spectacular event.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic semifinal: Finn Bálor & Samoa Joe vs. Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder
What am I looking at here? Finn Bálor is the current NXT Champion, an impossibly good-looking Irishman whose sumptuously sculpted body occasionally houses an ancient demon. Samoa Joe is Finn Bálor’s best friend of upwards of three weeks and he DEFINITELY WILL NOT turn on his beloved partner. Dawson and Wilder are two grumpy guys in ~super swank~ satin jackets.
Why you should care: Dawson and Wilder have been simmering under the surface for a while now and a high-profile match with two world-class talents in Joe and Bálor just might be what they need to finally catapult them into the ranks of “beloved NXT roster members,” a pool that currently includes everyone in NXT but them, Carmella and Eva Marie.
Also, Samoa Joe is DEFINITELY NOT going to punch Finn Bálor in his gorgeous face and set up the next NXT Championship feud. Why would you even suggest such a thing?
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic semifinal: Jason Jordan & Chad Gable vs. Baron Corbin & Rhyno
What am I looking at here? Chad Gable is a former Olympic wrestler whose last name is a pun that he silk-screened onto a gym towel just to be obnoxious. He has the correct mixture of smarm and ability that gives him the potential to be the Kurt Angle of a new generation. Jason Jordan, the partner that Gable wooed for so long, is also a former NCAA wrestler.
Baron Corbin is a big, tall guy and former cup-of-coffee NFL player who thinks he’s great at everything so he should have everything handed to him. Rhyno is a guy built like a tank who stands too close to people and breathes heavily.
Why you should care: Jordan and Gable are dynamite together and this could be a big breakout match for them, although unlike Dawson and Wilder, they’ve already captured NXT fans’ hearts. This should be good.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament final
What am I looking at here? The winners of the two semifinal matches will obviously meet up later in the evening for the winner-take-all final. Dusty Rhodes’ sons, Cody and Dustin (AKA Stardust and Goldust) will be on hand to present the trophy to the winners.
Why you should care: The seeds have already been planted for Dawson and Wilder to meet up with Jordan and Gable in the final, so I’d be pretty surprised if that’s not the matchup we get. Whoever ends up in the final, all four men will likely do everything they can to make it special, in order to best honor Dusty Rhodes, who was a true mentor to every person in NXT.
Apollo Crews vs. Tyler Breeze
What am I looking at here? Apollo Crews is a muscleman who is just out there having a good time. He is also mind-bogglingly athletic, doing things you didn’t ever think a massive dude like him was capable of. He’s undefeated since making his debut and he’s been making all his wins look downright easy.
Tyler Breeze, the second-best-looking man on the NXT roster, is a male model who has always come up just short in big matches. He’s become increasingly frustrated and disenchanted over the past months and now he’s running up against one of the most unstoppable beasts currently under WWE contract.
Why you should care: Tyler Breeze is at a crucial tipping point. The Gorgeous One may never be the same if he loses yet another big match to an NXT fan favorite. Conversely, this will be Crews’ toughest opponent to date. This one will probably be a great match, but more interesting are the potential psychological implications.
Dana Brooke vs. Asuka
What am I looking at here? Asuka is the newest member of the NXT women’s roster, a Japanese star formerly known as Kana. She’s a terrifying, ruthless, hard-hitting assassin. Dana Brooke has the world’s thickest Ohio accent and is essentially a hyper-muscular version of the girl you wish you hadn’t started a conversation with at a party. She’s the best, basically.
Why you should care: Asuka is going to kick the holy hell out of Dana Brooke. It’s going to be a complete mauling. Those are fun!
30-Minute Iron Woman Match for the NXT Women’s Championship: Bayley (c) vs. Sasha Banks
What am I looking at here? Bayley, a lifelong fan of WWE to such an extent that the basis of her character is “fan living out her dream,” finally reached the top of the mountain at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, when she defeated Sasha Banks for the NXT Women’s Championship in what might have been the match of the year. Sasha Banks is the Boss, full stop.
Why you should care: The last time these two women faced off, they had the best WWE women’s match of all time and one of the best matches of the year, period. Now they’re going to try to top themselves with an Iron Woman match. They’ve earned this main event spot. Now they’re out to prove they belong there.
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