The Tag Team division has been NXT's gold standard for at least the past six months. No matches have outshined the efforts put forth by the incredible tag teams in NXT, whether it be at quarterly TakeOver or weekly taped events. The division produced some of the most memorable matches of 2016, not just in NXT, but in any promotion.
The two-out-of-three falls championship match between The Revival and #DIY at TakeOver: Toronto earned the NXT match-of-the-year accolade. Add on their equally compelling effort at TakeOver: Brooklyn II last summer, and it has become apparent that tag team wrestling is NXT's perennial show-stealing division.
Were they up for the challenge this week as #DIY looked to recapture the NXT Tag Team Championships against the Authors of Pain? You bet.
Though the match didn't quite reach the level of its TakeOver: San Antonio predecessor, it was intense and captivating nevertheless. The stiff match's conclusion saw The Revival interfere when #DIY looked to be nearing a victory, causing a disqualification. Dash and Dawson went on to make a major statement, delivering their shatter machine finisher on members of both #DIY and the Authors of Pain.
It has been hinted at for weeks, and this week it became evident. Though not officially announced, we are likely headed toward a three way dance at TakeOver: Orlando and an early stake for 2017 match of the year could be on the horizon.
The stage is set for an eagerly awaited Women's Championship collision
Wednesday night's championship-focused episode of NXT continued as Asuka put her NXT Women's Championship on the line against Peyton Royce. Royce earned the opportunity last week after defeating Liv Morgan and Ember Moon in a triple threat match to become the new number-one contender.
Both women were impressive in this match, showing a good deal of chemistry. In fact, it was the best work we've seen out of Royce in her nearly two-year career in NXT. It wasn't enough to claim her first Women's Championship, though, as Asuka retained the title using her Asuka Lock submission.
Predictably, following the match, Royce and her partner in crime Billie Kay took their frustrations out on the outnumbered champ using double-team tactics.
The beatdown was short-lived, however, as Ember Moon made her way to the ring to make the save, delivering alternating shots to both Royce and Kay.
This left us with the dawn of the dream match-up we've been waiting for, as Asuka and Moon stood face-to-face in the middle of the ring. Asuka taunted Moon by lifting the Women's Championship in the air, and the key to the engine of the epic clash in Orlando was finally turned.
The next NXT Championship match is set
Not to be overshadowed on a night when both the NXT Women's and Tag Team Championships were defended, General Manager William Regal announced that Bobby Roode's first NXT Championship defense will take place on the March 15 episode of NXT. His opponent will be Kassius Ohno.
This comes one week after Ohno's exciting reemergence to NXT TV, in which he got the better of the glorious champion, chasing him from the squared circle that Roode arrogantly referred to as his ring.
Between this blooming rivalry and the unfinished business between Roode and former Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, the NXT Championship picture is multidimensional, but all the more interesting as a result. Nakamura will see his first action since his title loss next week.
Rounding out the show
• The unique character that is the former Tough Enough contestant Patrick Clark was in action on Wednesday night, taking on Sean Maluta, who made a name for himself putting on a great performance in a losing effort to Kota Ibushi in the Cruiserweight Classic last year. Clark scored the pinball victory over Maluta using the great Billy Gunn's famous finishing move in a short, decent match. Clark is really owning this role as he differentiates himself from the pack, and for that he should be applauded.
• The SAnitY/Tye Dillinger rivalry was extended by way of an eerie promo from SAnitY taking place in the woods next to a fire. Eric Young, Nikki Cross and company claimed Dillinger is "drowning in his own choices." We haven't seen any in-ring interaction between Dillinger and Young in a few weeks. That needs to change, and soon.
• A promo for another one of the talented United Kingdom Tournament participants, Scotland's own Wolfgang, aired this week. The agile 255-pounder, who can nail a swanton bomb ("The Howling," as he calls it) with the best of them would be an excellent superstar to feature on NXT TV. He's got the look, the personality and the move set to catch on and connect with the crowd.