Everything you need to know before historic NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver

For the first time in NXT history, one of the brand’s signature TakeOver events will span two nights as NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver sets the stage for WWE’s WrestleMania weekend.

Coming full circle after having last year’s WrestleMania-weekend TakeOver event axed due to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, NXT will make up for their absence by giving its fans double the fun on the nights of Wednesday, April 7, and Thursday, April 8.

Night 1 of the event will also serve as the last time NXT is shown on a Wednesday night before the show moves to Tuesday nights on the USA Network, ending a long “Wednesday Night War” with AEW Dynamite.

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In the first half of the two-night card, fans will see a wide variety of NXT’s midcard stars, with two matches each featuring six wrestlers. Later on, those in the United States who focus more on the US-based NXT programming will get a glimpse at some NXT UK talent in the form of NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER.

To cap off Night 1, NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai will get another chance to shine under the bright lights as she defends her title against Raquel Gonzalez in the night’s main event.

When the dust clears and the calendar shifts from Wednesday to Thursday, some of NXT’s biggest names will take center stage to finish out NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, and set the tone for the rest of the weekend as WWE prepares for WrestleMania 37.

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Four titles will be defended throughout the night, with NXT Champion Finn Balor’s title defense against Karrion Cross and a highly-anticipated Ladder Match for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship standing out among the rest.

But, despite the fact that a total of seven titles will be on the line over the span of two nights, one of TakeOver’s biggest matches won’t involve any championship gold. Instead, fans will be treated to the first one-on-one encounter in NXT between former friends and former Undisputed Era teammates Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly.

As if their in-ring talent wasn’t enough to sell you, NXT sweetened the deal by pitting the two against each other in an Unsanctioned Match.

To get you set for this historic, two-night showcase, here’s all of the key information for you to know before NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver gets underway.

How to watch:

Night 1 will be broadcast live on the USA Network, streamed on Peacock in the United States, and shown on the WWE Network elsewhere on Wednesday, April 7 at 8 p.m. ET.

Night 2 will be shown exclusively on Peacock in the United States, and shown on the WWE Network elsewhere on Thursday’ April 8 at 8 p.m. ET.

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Match cards:

Night 1

NXT Women’s Championship: Io Shirai (c) vs. Raquel Gonzalez

NXT United Kingdom Championship: WALTER (c) vs. Tommaso Ciampa

Triple Threat Match for the Vacant NXT Tag Team Championship: MSK vs. Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Legado del Fantasma

Gauntlet Eliminator to advance to Night 2’s NXT North American Championship Match: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott vs. Leon Ruff vs. Bronson Reed vs. Cameron Grimes vs. Dexter Lumis vs. LA Knight

Exhibition Match: Kushida vs. Pete Dunne

Night 2

NXT Championship: Finn Balor (c) vs. Karrion Kross

Unsanctioned Match: Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly

NXT North American Championship: Johnny Gargano (c) vs. Winner from Night 1’s Gauntlet Eliminator

NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship: Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon (c) vs. The Way

Ladder Match for the Undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Championship: Santos Escobar vs. Jordan Devlin

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