WWE announces pre-show panelists for NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver
WWE has revealed the pre-show panelists for NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
Both nights of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver will have a pre-show prior to the main card. Sam Roberts will host the pre-show both nights, with Mickie James, commentator and former MMA fighter Jimmy Smith, and former LA Times, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated writer Arash Markazi also appearing as panelists.
Wrestling Inc reported earlier this month that Smith had an announcing audition with WWE. He’s formerly done commentary for the UFC and Bellator.
Last month, Barstool Sports’ Brandon Walker was a panelist for the TakeOver: Vengeance Day pre-show. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani appeared on the TakeOver: WarGames pre-show in December.
Both TakeOver: Stand & Deliver pre-shows will begin at 7 p.m. Eastern time. The pre-shows will air on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network everywhere else, along with airing on WWE’s social media platforms.
Night one of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver will air live on the USA Network on Wednesday, April 7. Night two is taking place on Thursday, April 8 and will be live on Peacock in the United States and live on the WWE Network everywhere else. Here’s what’s been announced for the event:
TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one —
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai defends against Raquel Gonzalez
NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER defends against Tommaso Ciampa
Triple threat match for the vacant NXT Tag Team titles: MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) vs, The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) vs. Legado Del Fantasma (Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde)
Gauntlet Eliminator match to determine NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano’s challenger for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two (Leon Ruff, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, Bronson Reed, Cameron Grimes, Dexter Lumis, and LA Knight are the Gauntlet Eliminator participants)
Pete Dunne vs. Kushida
TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two —
NXT Champion Finn Balor defends against Karrion Kross
Unsanctioned match: Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly
Ladder match to determine undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Champion: Jordan Devlin vs. Santos Escobar
NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano defends against the winner of the Gauntlet Eliminator match from night one
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon defend against Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell