So… I haven’t been around as much, and that may continue for a while, BUT I also feel like Takeover this Saturday is the close of chapter in the NXT book. Things have been drastically shaken up. NXT is at their peak of popularity and have impacted the wrestling world for the positive (Specifically with the advent of the WWE Network, and the Takeover specials) – So I became inspired to do an Over/Under for NXT Takeover: Brooklyn. An event I’m lucky enough to be attending, and I’m like a kid two days out from Christmas.
The show is a three and a half hour monster, with the final two hours airing LIVE… ONLY… On the WWE Network. That two hour bit has six matches. All NXT Championships are on the line. A huge NXT debut. A big star’s first Takeover match. All this action has Vegas all a-flutter. So? Let’s do it!
How We Got Here
Apollo Crews, formerly known as Uhaa Nation, will make his NXT debut in Brooklyn. They’ve been hyping this for a few weeks now. His announced opponent is “The Perfect 10” Tye Dillenger. Which is a shame for Dillenger. He has potential, but this match will not be about displaying said potential. We’re gonna meet Apollo Crews, and we might fall in love. Dillenger’s time to shine will have to wait.
Favorite
Apollo Crews: -500… or maybe -2400. Its a lot. His winning would be as big a slam dunk as having Enzo and Cass win the tag titles in Brooklyn… oh… ooops. Still. Crews debuts in a big way!
Underdog
Tye Dillenger: +10. (Get it?)
Prop Bet O’ The Match
Over/Under: 74 seconds. (Gonna be a Squash-Quake)
How We Got Here
Tyler Breeze was cranky about his lack of Takeover match. So he griped to GM Regal. Regal was like “I’ll find you someone SPECIAL, sunshine.” So? He did. Jushin Thunder Liger will wrestle at Takeover against the Gorgeous one. I’ve seen Liger wrestle a bunch this year. Still can go and have entertaining matches. Him versus Dalton Castle in ROH was a lot of fun, and I could see this match having a similar make up/vibe.
Favorite
Jushin Thunder Liger: -150. Not a huge favorite. I can kind of see him winning because… why fly the dude all the way over from Japan?
Underdog
Tyler Breeze: +200. On top of the special attraction nature of Liger, you have the fact that Tyler Breeze tends to lose big matches. I could see that. I could also potentially see a post match hissy fit and attack by Breeze where Itami makes the save…. more on that…
Prop Bet O’ The Match
Itami? Yes -200. No +150. Feels like a good chance for this, AND feels time wise as a possibility. Slight as it might be. Still think his presence will be felt in this match.
How We Got Here
Joe debuted and got in Kevin Owens’ bidness, but then Owens Bidness took him elsewhere. Joe has kind of treaded water since that. Winning some squashes and cutting some decent promos. Baron Corbin was kind of back to being the Mayor of Squashington DC. Corbin had cut a promo against all the popular indie dudes that had come into NXT, and of course said he would prove to be better than them. So after a couple back to back squashes, Corbin STILL wasn’t done, so Joe came out, and choked the tats off him. Match was made. This past week Corbin returned the favor hitting the End of Days on Joe. Match is interesting. Hard to get a read on who will win. Who SHOULD win.
Favorite
Baron Corbin: -200. An unpopular choice by Vegas. Both guys could really use a longer feud. Not sure what Joe’s role will be once he’s a full time part of NXT. Corbin’s youth and heeliness get him this win to kick off a feud that’ll last 3-5 matches.
Underdog
Samoa Joe: +100. Joe winning really won’t be any kind of upset. If they want to fast track him up the card to challenge for the NXT Championship? Then this would be the jump off for that. Another thing to keep in mind, is Vegas loves the faces for Takeover. Maybe they’re overcompisating with some love for a heel here.
Prop Bet O’ The Match
Over/Under 7 minutes 14 seconds. (Bell to Bell, of course)
Bathroom Break Match: No -350. Yes +200.
How We Got Here
Blake and Murphy shockingly beat the Lucha Dragons, but have since grown into great heels, thanks in no small part to the amazing work by Alexa Bliss. The Vaudevillains had a title show, but ended up falling short thanks to lots of help from Bliss, who has continued to torment and slap the Vaudevillains all over Full Sail University. Gotch and English got a second chance. They’re promising to have a neutralizer for Alexa Bliss (C’mon Blue Pants) – but Bliss slapped them before they could reveal! So now here we are. Tag titles on the line, and who dares stand between Alexa Bliss’ furious fists (Palms, really, but I like aliteration) ? Side note I did think this would be a perfect location for Enzo and Cass to have a tag title match and to finally claim the NXT Tag Team Championships. But I’m not TOO distraught over it because I’m a huge Vaudevillains fan.
Favorite
Blake and Murphy: -150. Just don't feel like its quite right for a title change here.
Underdog
Vaudevillains: +200. Possible they get some MANLY new belts. Them having an equalizer makes this line the most volatile, as perhaps them having someone to neutralize Bliss helps score them the biggest win of their career. Keep an eye out as this line will move every day leading up to Takeover and if there is a team you REALLY like, and you like the line? Hit it hard!
Prop Bet O’ The Match
Lady Vaudevillain: Blue Pants -200. Random Developmental Girl: -100. Carmella +150. Bayley +300.
Will my migraine from Blake and Murphy's music subside before the end of the match? NOPE! -440. SURE! +300.
How We Got Here
Sasha Banks, NXT's Legit Boss has been running the NXT Women's division for a while. She has beaten Charlotte, Becky Lynch, and any other challengers that have come her way. This past week she made Nikki Bella tap out on Raw! Bayley has been on a charge up the ranks. Sidelined briefly for a hand injury since returning she has returned she has beaten Emma, Charlotte, and Becky Lynch on her way to this title shot. There is plenty of history between the two. They had a great contract signing segment at the go home show. Now? Does Sasha Banks' move up to the main roster mean she's going to drop the championship to Bayley? How will Brooklyn react to each competitor? And will there be a Team BAD presence? Lots of questions and intrigue for this match!
Favorite
Bayley: -300. This is much like Sami Zayn's rise to finally beating Neville. I think Sasha Banks' move up is the driving force behind this, and Bayley is going to have a helluva moment in Brooklyn.
Underdog
Sasha Banks: +150.
Prop Bet O’ The Match
Match of the Night? No: -100. Yes +130.
Team BAD Helps Sasha? Yes: -200. Now: +100.
Horsewomen Curtain Call: Yes -400. No +550. (I see Charlotte and Becky Lynch appearing at the end of this match and them doing their own version of the Kliq Curtain Call from MSG all those years ago)
How We Got Here
At Beast in the East, Finn Balor defeated Kevin Owens. Shortly there after, at San Diego Comic Con, they announced a rematch for Takeover at the Barclay's Center. In part to make sure they sold enough tickets for the show… which in hindsight they probably didn't need this match to do. The match, at Owens' request, has been made a ladder match. Fun fact, I saw and article that was shared on twitter… Balor/Devitt has never been in a ladder match. Last show Owens cut a brilliant promo that was especially scathing towards the NXT Crowd and actually opened up a little possibility that if… IF… they wanted to have the first two time NXT champion? It might be Kevin Owens.
Favorite
Finn Balor: -200. Despite that promo, Balor is still the favorite here. Owens is a full time part of the main roster and has the chance to have the match of the night on BOTH Takeover AND Summerslam… and in related news:
… ya know… just CUZ!
Underdog
Kevin Owens: +200. His losing streak is growing rapidly. Since his initial win over Cena he's had a rough 7 weeks. That misfortunate roll continues on Saturday.
Prop Bet O’ The Match
Over/Under Holy Shit Chants: 4.5
Run Ins: Yes -200. No +150. I feel like there is a chance there are shenanigans in this match. I have nothing to back that up, just a weird feeling.
Kevin Owens Lets his kids paint his face for this match: No -400. Yes +850.
And there you have it Cheap-Heat-Gamblers! Another Over/Under for Takeover. Here's hoping you enjoy the show and make that sweet, sweet, cash money!!! E
