5 Matches WWE Should Book (& 5 They Should Avoid)
Now that NXT Takeover: Portland is in the books, the road towards WrestleMania weekend has firmly begun for the black and yellow brand. NXT Takeover: Tampa will be taking place during that weekend, and it is set to be one of the biggest shows of the year.
Things are already taking shape for the show, with certain storylines clearly being prepared for the big event. However, some of them are matches that people just don't want to see, and others are ones people love.
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The show will no doubt be absolutely stacked, as NXT Takeover's always are, but there are some matches that should be avoided. Within this list, we will reveal five matches NXT should book for Takeover: Tampa and five WWE should avoid.
10 Should Book: WALTER vs. Timothy Thatcher
WrestleMania weekend is a time when WWE brings everyone from its roster across for the week, which includes members of the NXT UK brand. Because of that, it makes sense to have WALTER defend his NXT UK Championship on the show.
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This also opens up the perfect time for Timothy Thatcher to make his Takeover debut, competing against someone he has a lot of history with. These two men know each other well, and there's no doubt they would create an amazing match.
WALTER and Thatcher are two incredibly hard-hitting wrestlers, and seeing them compete for the title would be perfect for a Takeover event.
9 Should Avoid: Broserweights vs. Undisputed Era
This is a match that just took place at NXT Takeover: Portland, and while it was a terrific match, it isn't one that we want to see happen again straight away. WWE has the chance to do this rematch on an episode of NXT between now and Tampa, rather than wasting it again on that card.
Instead, it would be better to see a totally different tag team compete against The Broserweights, or ideally, a multi-team ladder match which could be a way of getting the Undisputed Era onto the card if WWE so wishes.
8 Should Book: Jordan Devlin vs. Rey Mysterio
While Rhea Ripley is heading to WrestleMania this year, there is no reason that a main roster star can't go in the opposite direction to NXT Takeover: Tampa. Especially when it could create a dream match scenario.
That is where Rey Mysterio steps in, along with the NXT Cruiserweight Championship. WWE is really investing time and effort into the title now, and there's no way to make it feel more important than by having Jordan Devlin defend the title against Mysterio.
Arguably the greatest cruiserweight of all time being able to showcase himself in an NXT style match against the Irish Ace would be an unbelievable match that would fit right in during WrestleMania weekend.
7 Should Avoid: Any Rhea Ripley Match
It might seem strange not having Rhea Ripley feature on a Takeover card, as she's NXT's biggest female star. However, it has already been confirmed that she will be facing Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania.
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That's the match WWE is building towards now, therefore adding any other match at Takeover the night before will be too predictable. No matter who her opponent is, everyone will know that Ripley is going to win.
It will make the entire event stronger if the usual NXT Women's Title match slot is given to another match, leaving Ripley's focus to be firmly on Charlotte.
6 Should Book: Tegan Nox vs. Dakota Kai
Speaking of a women's match that deserves to be on the card, the rivalry between Tegan Nox and Dakota Kai has certainly not been resolved. Despite their brutal street fight taking place at Takeover: Portland, the interference meant neither woman got bragging rights.
NXT could easily continue this feud all the way to Tampa, allowing them to finally have their big pay-off match. Adding more intensity to the storyline in the next few weeks will only make the match at WrestleMania weekend mean more.
Having a straight singles match would be the way to go here as well, as we've already seen them work with weapons. Just letting them wrestle and put on an amazing match will be great.
5 Should Avoid: Roderick Strong vs. Keith Lee
Keith Lee is certainly going to play a big part in NXT Takeover: Tampa as he really is the man everyone is talking about right now. However, facing Roderick Strong is not the way to go at the show.
Strong is the man that Keith Lee won the North American Championship from, and the fact he is in Undisputed Era makes it likely he will appear. However, this isn't a match that screams WrestleMania weekend.
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Simply because it has already been done and on an episode of NXT, it wouldn't feel as special. Roderick Strong had a solid run with the title, so giving someone else a shot at it would be welcomed.
4 Should Book: Keith Lee vs. Finn Balor
Instead of putting Keith Lee against Roderick Strong for what would be something we've already seen, why not give fans a dream match? Finn Balor would provide exactly that, and it would be an unpredictable bout as well.
Balor has been enjoying quite the push since returning to NXT, therefore putting him against the Limitless One would be tough to call. While Lee has the size advantage, there is no doubt Balor is technically good enough to hang with him.
A match between them would be full of strikes and incredible wrestling and would certainly get the NXT Universe excited. Proving just how important the North American Title is in the process, this needs to be booked!
3 Should Avoid: Finn Balor vs. Adam Cole
There's no doubt that Adam Cole is going to get a major opponent at NXT Takeover: Tampa and that man could very easily be Finn Balor. He's a big name who is well-known and has been dominant since returning to NXT.
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The two men previously had a title match, but it was spoiled by Johnny Gargano, so it could be a storyline WWE would create and it would make sense. However, there are better options for both men.
Having two heels compete against each other is never the greatest scenario as fans don't know who to cheer for. Therefore it would be wiser to put each man against a top babyface.
2 Should Book: Tommaso Ciampa vs. Johnny Gargano (Hell In A Cell)
Johnny Gargano turning heel to cost Tommaso Ciampa the NXT Championship at NXT Takeover: Portland is something that has divided fans. Some are happy to see the feud return, whereas others were hoping that the story would be left behind.
However, it seems WWE is determined to make this happen again. Therefore it's fairly obvious this will be on the Tampa card in some shape or form.
But if they're going to do it, why not go big? NXT's first-ever Hell in a Cell match! This is the exact type of rivalry that warrants this stipulation being used, and it would be epic.
1 Should Avoid: Adam Cole vs. Velveteen Dream
When it comes to what NXT should do for the main event of the show, having Adam Cole defend his NXT Championship against Velveteen Dream would be perfect. The Dream is an incredibly popular wrestler and is someone who has always come close to being the top star.
However, Tampa seems like the perfect place for him to finally win the big one. The Undisputed Era has been stripped of all their gold, and finishing that off at the next Takeover would be great storytelling, allowing the Dream to get a major moment.
The two of them would no doubt put on an amazing match as well. With Dream's ability to tell a story and Adam Cole's incredible in-ring ability, this is a worthy main event for such a big show.
NEXT: NXT Takeover: Portland: Every Match Ranked From Worst To Best
