Smark Out Moment

Welcome to another edition of Triple Threat from Smark Out Moment, where three of us get together to discuss three questions based on one big topic going down in the week of professional wrestling.

This week, Dallas Allsopp, Greg Coleman and Ben Guest will be giving their opinions on NXT TakeOver: Toronto.

NXT always provides amazing wrestling, storylines and a dose of unpredictability. Will Toronto stick the script? Let’s discuss....


ALLSOPP: It has to be Adam Cole vs Johnny Gargano. Their previous matches have been 5-star classics however, this match has the potential to surpass even those matches. Cole as the smug champion mesh's so well against fan favourite Gargano, and I get the feeling that Gargano wins here, 2 falls to 1. These 2 men can do no wrong, and I am so excited to see what they do next.

COLEMAN: Easy answer here: Cole-Gargano 3. The reason I am most looking forward to this match is because the ending of the Cole-Gargano trilogy has ramifications in both the present and the future. If Cole and Gargano deliver another 5-star classic like their previous two encounters are, their trilogy will earn a spot in the discussion for greatest pro wrestling trilogy of all time. Right now that debate is between Flair-Steamboat and Okada-Omega. If Cole-Gargano 3 delivers, they could become to this generation what Flair and Steamboat were to my generation (80s babies). On an individual note, Johnny Gargano would undoubtedly solidify his spot as the best wrestler in the world today. A classic trilogy with Cole to go along with his series of matches with Andrade Almas and Tommaso Ciampa would give Johnny Gargano a body of work over the past 2-3 that no one could be able to beat.

GUEST: For the sake of giving a different answer, I think Velveteen Dream vs Pete Dunne vs Roderick Strong for the NXT North American Championship has the potential to steal the show. I was doubtful of all three guys at first, but they have all proven that they are ready to step into the main event picture in NXT at any time. I would love for Velveteen Dream to move on to the NXT Championship, so for that reason, I'm going for a Pete Dunne victory.


COLEMAN: Hell no she shouldn’t break Asuka’s record! Asuka is one of the greatest wrestlers of all time despite the fact that Vince McMahon has ruined her on the main roster. Her run in NXT was one of the most dominant runs in the history of modern wrestling and this accomplishment deserves to stand. Baszler has been a decent champion but I feel she’s had the title so long because HHH doesn’t feel the other women around her currently in NXT are ready for whatever reason. Baszler should’ve dropped the title to Io Shirai and moved to the main roster by now as she has nothing left to accomplish. Her reign definitely doesn’t compare to Asuka’s due to the match quality and discrepancy in competition.

GUEST: I think the time has come for either Bianca Belair or Io Shirai to take the NXT Women's Championship, Shayna Bazsler could have a huge impact on the main roster. I don't expect her to hold the title past the next TakeOver event in November. Her reign has, through no fault of her own, felt a little lacklustre ever since the Kaira Sane feud. But I think she is just a victim of circumstance and everybody can see what a talent she is, but now it's time to let the next generation of women shine in NXT.

ALLSOPP: Selfishly, I’d love to see Shauna Baszler drop the title so she can move to the main roster. She is extremely talented in what she does, and may even rival the dominance that Asuka displayed whilst she was NXT Women’s champion. I don’t want her to break Asuka’s record as that truly felt special, and nor do I think she will, but nothing should be taken away from Baszler. She has swept aside all opponents in a fashion that screams dominance.


GUEST: Johnny Gargano needs to be given a huge push on the main roster, which could prove difficult. I worry that he will end up in the Dolph Ziggler position of never quite getting the chance he deserves and becoming a guy who just puts others over. Gargano's feud with Tommaso Ciampa is my favourite feud of all time and includes my favourite match of all time, so he has nothing left to prove in my eyes, As for leaving NXT, I'd like to see him put over either Adam Cole or Velveteen Dream and make a name for himself on the main roster, ready for Tommaso Ciampa to return and continue their feud on a bigger stage.

ALLSOPP: Johnny Gargano has done everything there is to do in NXT, except defeat Tommaso Ciampa for the NXT Championship. It was a travesty that Ciampa was injured before their feud could truly be resolved, therefore it would seem prudent to finish off that storyline in NXT, before they both make the permanent move to the main roster. Ciampa is rumoured to be signed off from his injury in August, which means we could have the final instalment of the legendary DIY feud to take us all the way through to the WrestleMania weekend TakeOver. A Hell in a Cell match could be the perfect way for Gargano and Ciampa to end their NXT tenure.

COLEMAN: The minute Johnny Gargano won the NXT Title he became the greatest NXT superstar ever and it’s not even close. Everything he’s done since then has only padded his already impressive resume. After his match with Cole at Takeover Toronto, he should stick around to give the fans some NXT dream matches by clashing with such stars as Walter, Pete Dunne, Tyler Bate, and Matt Riddle. After that send him to the main roster and instantly put him in the midcard title picture.