NXT Takeover: Sequelitis

By Chad Smart

@chadsmart & @my123cents on Twitter
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NXT Takeover: Dallas is highly regarded as the best Takeover special NXT has done. The tag team, Women’s and NXT title matches all delivered on a rollercoaster of emotions. Sami Zayn and Shinsuke Nakamura had what has been heralded as the greatest NXT match ever. With such high praise it’s understandable the Takeover shows that follow will have the deck stacked against them in terms of delivering a spectacular show.

Since Takeover: Dallas and the next special Takeover: The End, NXT has lost several of their key talents to the WWE main roster. Former tag champions American Alpha, former NXT champion Finn Balor and Baron Corbin who all appeared on the last two Takeovers are gone from NXT. So are crowd favorites and newer talents such as Enzo and Big Cass, Nia Jax and Eva Marie. While NXT is in a rebuilding phase and still have well known talent, that talent is still at a level a few notches below the talent that’s departed NXT.

Last year's NXT Takeover: Brooklyn
Courtesy: WWE

It’s not just the loss of talent NXT has to overcome for their latest special Takeover: Brooklyn 2. I think this special will fall short because of sequelitis. Since Takeover: Dallas, Hollywood has delivered 16 weeks of sequels at the multiplex. Most of these films have failed to live up to the expectations established by the previous film. The same flaws I have seen in the theatrical sequels, I see in the line up for Takeover: Brooklyn 2.

Looking at the card for TO:B2, I see a lot of similarities to the failed Hollywood offerings. It’s not that the TO:B2 card is bad, it’s just that compared to the previous events, there’s not much to get excited about, in my opinion. I also realize I’m not the NXT target demographic. I’m pretty confident that if I play the “this is awesome” drinking game, I’ll be drunk 30 minutes into the show.

My biggest issue with this show is that nothing seems to have any meaningful build. Other than the Women’s Title match, which is a rematch, and the Tag Title, everything else seems to be the result of some one saying “these are the people we want to focus on, put them in matches.” I don’t think there’s any real intrigue in any of the undercard matches.

Hopefully, it’ll help if I view this show like the sequels I’ve seen this year. To paraphrase the Gin Blossoms, if I don’t expect too much, I can’t be let down.” The wrestling should be very good even if the storytelling of the show isn’t the greatest.

Can Apollo cruise to the Intercontinental Championship?

Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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The short answer is no. Apollo Crews will not defeat the Miz at SummerSlam this weekend. It's nothing against Crews, but WWE hasn't built him into a viable contender for what was once the second most prestigious championship in the company.

In the go home show for SummerSlam, the only glimpse we got of Crews on SmackDown Live occurred during a commercial break that was replayed once the show was back on air. That doesn't bode well for the former NXT star. It sucks because he truly is a talented wrestler. It just doesn't feel like the right time for him to be in a program for the Intercontinental Championship.

Crews vs. Sheamus
Courtesy: WWE

This match feels like it was thrown together too. I'm not a huge fan of number one contenders being crowned via battle royal. It's a great way to get everyone on the roster in on the action and it feels like anyone can become a contender. But typically speaking I prefer a different method to figuring out who should be going for the gold. And before you say it, I realize that's the whole premise of the Royal Rumble for the last 20+ years.

Maryse & Miz
Courtesy: WWE

The other reason Crews won't win is because WWE is finally using The Miz correctly. The rebirth of his character is working and the partnership with his real life wife Maryse has been amazing. I haven't enjoyed the Miz this much since his run as WWE Champion five years ago.

Now WWE Creative has two challenges on their hands in the wake of SummerSlam. Turning Apollo Crews into a viable contender that the fans can invest in and care about and developing a solid number one contender for the IC title. No offense to Darren Young, Crews or former champion Zack Ryder; but it's time to put a solid focus on the midcard and build some legitimate contenders for the title who can one day become WWE Champion.

Randy Savage and Elizabeth
Courtesy: WWE

Remember when guys like "Macho Man" Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior and The Rock held the IC title? It was a stepping stone to the bigger belt. That focus has been lost in the last several years. A champion is only as strong as his challengers. Let's make the Intercontinental Championship great again.

For more SummerSlam thoughts check out the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page for the live video I did on the event.