NXT TakeOver: San Antonio Pre-Show Recap

The show opens with a live shot of the crowd outside the Freeman Coliseum waiting to get in the building. Charly Caruso and Corey Graves welcome us to an empty building. Graves announces that this is his last night with NXT as he will presumably be 100% Raw. That’s extremely disappointing. A choked up Graves announces Nigel McGuinness as his replacement! Nigel rocking the Vince McMahon-esque pinstripe blue suit.

 The same video package from Wednesday’s NXT is shown for #DIY and Authors of Pain. Graves picks the Authors of Pain to win, while Nigel thinks #DIY will pull off the upset.

 NXT Awards: Breakout Star of the Year

Nominees: No Way Jose, Billie Kay & Peyton Royce, Ember Moon, Andrade Almas, Sanity

Winner(s): Billie Kay & Peyton Royce

 The ladies are out to accept their trophy (a gold-plated ring bell). They say they’re confident about their chances in the title match. Nigel stirs the pot and asks which ONE will walk out champion. Royce and Billie say they’re both going to win and share.

 NXT Awards: 2016 Match of the Year

Nominees: None shown

Winner: #DIY v. Revival – 2 out of 3 Falls for the NXT Tag Team Championship at TakeOver: Toronto

 Definitely a great match, but I’d still have picked Nakamura v. Zayn in Dallas. Dash and Dawson are backstage to accept their trophy/plaque. It turns out the Revival won another award:

 NXT Awards: 2016 Tag Team of the Year

Nominees: None shown

Winner: The Revival

 Dawson says they’re the big fish in a sea of tilapias. Dawson says they have a vested interest in the title matchtonight and make a plea to challenge the winners. Top guys – out.

 Cut to backstage with Bobby Roode. Roode (in a suit) says this is what a real champion looks like. Roode says he’s walking out the new champion and it will be – long pause – “you know”.

The pre-show panel throws to a promo video for the Fatal 4-Way Women’s Championship. When they come back, Ember Moon has joined the panel. Are the red contacts too much? I go back and forth. Ember is very uncomfortable in this setting, but that’s how you learn, I suppose. Moon says she wants Asuka to win so she can be the one to finally beat her. Moon says who she thinks will win is different, but declines to say. That was either just awkward or foreshadowing something.

 #DIY is now backstage to discuss winning match of the year. They’re embracing the underdog role for the match tonight.

 NXT Awards: Female Competitor of the Year

Nominees: Bayley, Nia Jax, Asuka

Winner: Asuka

 Billie and Peyton are quickly back out to steal the award. Asuka is seriously going to kill them.

 NXT Awards: Male Competitor of the Year

Nominees: Finn Balor, Samoa Joe, Shinsuke Nakamura, Bobby Roode

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura

 NXT Awards: Overall Competitor of the Year

Nominees: Asuka, Shinsuke Nakamura (How do you pick?)

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura

 Nigel accepts the award on his behalf as Nakamura is preparing for the title match. Cue a video package on Nakamura’s rise and Bobby Roode. The show closes with a recap of the card. The main card is up next.

via @SVTVenom46