Wrestling fans were made to wait quite a while between NXT TakeOvers thanks to the pandemic. Now we're getting two in less than two months. You'll hear no complaints from us. The next TakeOver, which is yet to get an official name, will take place on Sunday, October 4, 2020. Another show that won't be leaning on a main roster PPV taking place the following night. The show will begin at 7 pm ET and its pre-show will start 30 minutes before that. As always, the only place fans can watch the action unfold live is on the WWE Network.
Finn Balor vs. Kyle O'Reilly for the NXT Championship
The NXT Title has been passed around like a hot potato as of late. That's thanks to a Keith Lee call-up and a Karrion Kross injury. Finn Balor is hoping to change that and has something of an unexpected first challenger. Kyle O'Reilly emerged from a grueling Gauntlet Eliminator to earn this shot, and he's not going to want to waste it. How his Undisputed ERA buddy Adam Cole would feel about him becoming champion remains to be seen.
Io Shirai vs. Candice LeRae for the NXT Women's Championship
Io Shirai has quietly been becoming one of the greatest NXT Women's Champions of all time. The Japanese star is one of the best wrestlers in the world right now, and might well be NXT's most valuable asset. At TakeOver, she comes up against Candice LeRae. A heel LeRae more ruthless than the one Shirai has wrestled before. She has also never held gold in NXT and will be very eager to change that.
Damian Priest vs. Johnny Gargano for the North American Championship
TakeOver 31 could be a very big night for the Gargano household. Johnny Gargano will also be competing for gold as he takes on Damian Priest for the North American Title. A championship Gargano has held before and is keen to win again. NXT has been painting Priest as a party boy, but he will need to focus if he wants to remain champion beyond October 4. Otherwise, Gargano and LeRae could both be draped in gold and become even more unbearable than before.
Kushida vs. Velveteen Dream
NXT fans have seen a different side of Kushida recently. A more determined and clinical version who is looking to finally make a name for himself on the black and gold brand. Aside from winning a title, the best way to do that is by beating someone as synonymous with NXT as Velveteen Dream. The Japanese star will get his chance to do that at TakeOver 31.
Santos Escobar vs. Isaiah "Swerve" Scott for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship
NXT's Cruiserweight Title has felt a little lost as of late. That might have something to do with its true holder still stranded in the UK. Santos Escobar and Isaiah Scott have a chance to rectify that at TakeOver. These two are both tremendously talented and could well steal the show on Sunday. Plus, a title change wouldn't go amiss either.