8/19 WWE NXT Preview: Cole And McAfee Face-Off Before TakeOver XXX, Balor vs. Dream
Design / Layout Credit: Bill Pritchard
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WWE has shared the following Quick Hits for tonight’s episode of NXT on WWE.com:
- Adam Cole and Pat McAfee to meet face-to-face ahead of TakeOver XXX showdown
- Finn Bálor faces Velveteen Dream with a TakeOver XXX spot on the line
- Johnny Gargano clashes with Ridge Holland for a North American Title opportunity
- “Swerve” joins forces with Breezango to battle Legado del Fantasma
- Rhea Ripley & Shotzi Blackheart battle Mercedes Martinez & Aliyah tonight
WWE’s full preview can be found HERE; we have included excerpts below:
Adam Cole and Pat McAfee to meet face-to-face ahead of TakeOver XXX showdown
Adam Cole and Pat McAfee will come face to face on NXT in what figures to be a combustible confrontation just days before their showdown at NXT TakeOver XXX.
Cole and the rest of The Undisputed ERA flexed their muscle a week after McAfee blasted the longest-reigning NXT Champion in history with a punt. After laying waste to Drake Maverick and Killian Dain during their match against one another, Cole dared McAfee to confront him, and the former All-Pro punter didn’t back down.
You want me back in that #WWENXT arena next Wednesday @AdamColePro?
I’d love to.. The last time I was there, you ended up lifeless on the ground w/ @ShawnMichaels worried about your soulless, dumb, stupid body.
Can’t wait to dominate you and the whole wrestling community..AGAIN pic.twitter.com/JctoAABLrA
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 13, 2020
The last meeting between these men led to one of the most chaotic scenes in the history of the black-and-gold brand. What will go down this time before McAfee steps in the ring for the first time against The Panama City Playboy?
Finn Bálor faces Velveteen Dream with a TakeOver XXX spot on the line
Only two spots remain in the North American Title Ladder Match at NXT TakeOver XXX, and one of them will be decided in an NXT dream match as Finn Bálor will clash with The Velveteen Dream.
.@FinnBalor. @DreamWWE. TOMORROW NIGHT on #WWENXT!
Who will advance to the North American Title Ladder Match at #NXTTakeOver: XXX?
📺 Wednesday, 8/7c on @USA_Network https://t.co/un13LtieEE
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) August 18, 2020
His Purple Highness is not only newly returned, but perhaps also newly transformed. Dream shocked the NXT Universe as the third man in last week’s Triple Threat Qualifying Match against Cameron Grimes and Kushida. However, Grimes claimed victory by pinning Kushida, and Dream uncharacteristically blew a gasket and viciously attacked Kushida afterward until being confronted by Bálor.
While Dream is a former North American Champion, The Prince has set his sights on the prize as the only NXT accolade he has yet to collect.
Rhea Ripley & Shotzi Blackheart battle Mercedes Martinez & Aliyah tonight
Rhea Ripley & Shotzi Blackheart will be out for payback against The Robert Stone Brand tonight on NXT when they square off with Mercedes Martinez & Aliyah in tag team action.
The Nightmare and Blackheart have felt the wrath of Martinez in recent weeks – Shotzi was blindsided by her after running over Stone’s leg with her tank, and Ripley was denied a chance at regaining the NXT Women’s Championship when Martinez interfered in The Nightmare’s battle with Dakota Kai.
It's all about payback TONIGHT as @RheaRipley_WWE & @ShotziWWE take on The #RobertStoneBrand's @RealMMartinez & @WWE_Aliyah on #WWENXT! https://t.co/4KD2FdiuGT
📺 8/7c @USA_Network pic.twitter.com/t9PsHhZEHi
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) August 19, 2020
Will retribution be had, or will Martinez & Aliyah continue to raise the profile of The Robert Stone Brand?