NXT Takeover: Rival- Preview: Zayn vs Owens

NXT Championship Match

Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens

Sami Zayn looks to get payback against longtime friend and enemy Kevin Owens as one of the biggest feuds in indie wrestling spills into NXT. The two men who came up together, teamed together, and went to war on several occasions no doubt have incredible chemistry together and will likely bring one of the most intense Takeover main events we have seen.

The newest chapter of the Zayn/Owens drama began last December at NXT Takeover: Revolution when Owens made a successful debut to much fanfare in possibly one of the most explosive debuts we have seen. Later that night, after Sami Zayn defeated Adrian Neville in an epic contest for the NXT title Owens would make yet another impact. Joining his longtime friend in the ring to celebrate the biggest night of Zayns NXT career, it wasn’t long before Owens made his intentions clear and laid Zayn out with a vicious powerbomb onto the ring apron.

On the February 11th contract signing Kevin Owens made it clear that for him it is not personal, and that he wouldn’t sign unless the nontitle match was indeed made a match for the NXT title. NXT General Manager William Regal relented and the most anticipated match this year was made official. However for Sami Zayn this couldn’t be more personal, as his former “Road To Redemption” is now a “Road To Retribution”.

Obviously these two know each other well and fans can expect this match to be as fluid and spectacular as it will be brutal and ugly. Will Zayns personal animosity hinder him or fuel his fire? Will the sociopathic detached attitude of Kevin Owens lead him to gold?

My pick: Sami Zayn. In recent months the champ has shown us that he can dig down deep and channel a darker, more determined Sami Zayn and now with the personal stakes so high we will see an even more intense Zayn. But make no mistakes, it really makes no difference who wins or who loses because this is likely but an opening salvo in a long and ferocious war.