NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia preview – Jan. 27, 2018: Will Gargano fulfill his dream against Almas?

After an incredible streak of victories, Johnny Gargano will challenge NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas tonight at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia. Will Johnny “Freaking” Wrestling ascend the throne in Philly, or will El Idolo and Zelina Vega formulate a plan to get Gargano off his game?

NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Johnny Gargano
Aleister Black vs. Adam Cole (Extreme Rules Match)
NXT Women’s Champion Ember Moon vs. Shayna Baszler
NXT Tag Team Champions The Undisputed ERA vs. The Authors of Pain
Kassius Ohno vs. Velveteen Dream

NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Johnny Gargano

Johnny Gargano has gone from a struggling singles career to one victory away from becoming the NXT Champion.
Johnny Wrestling’s NXT underdog story will reach its dramatic climax tonight at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia when
he challenges Andrade “Cien” Almas for the NXT Championship.
Considering Gargano represents NXT’s version of Rocky Balboa, a true underdog who has come out of nowhere to
find himself in a huge title showdown, there may not be a better city to host this matchup than Philadelphia,
the city that was famously the backdrop for the “Rocky” movie franchise.
Gargano was never even supposed to be involved in the series of matches to determine Almas’ challenger in the
first place. Yet, after learning of an injury to Velveteen Dream, General Manager William Regal inserted the
talented Gargano into the fray. The former NXT Tag Team Champion — who had stumbled mightily since transitioning
to singles competition — went on to defeat the highly acclaimed Kassius Ohno in a Qualifying Match before overcoming
Killian Dain, Aleister Black and Lars Sullivan in a No. 1 Contender’s Fatal 4-Way Match. That’s a Knockout Artist,
two monsters and a previously undefeated Superstar, for those keeping count. Gargano even went on to defeat Velveteen
Dream on the Jan. 24 episode of NXT after he put his NXT Title Match opportunity on the line.
Before Gargano can claim the NXT Title, he must defeat the red-hot Almas, a Superstar who has similarly gone from a
struggling singles career to the top of NXT. Almas’ career resurgence can be traced in part to the arrival of his
business manager Zelina Vega, who has helped El Idolo focus and, at times, even offered a helping hand.
This title match won’t be the first time these two competitors have met, with Gargano coming out on the losing side
in their previous two battles. However, both clashes included timely interference from Vega. Will Almas’ fiery manager
make her presence felt in this title contest? And if so, can Gargano not only overcome the extremely dangerous Almas,
but also Vega’s distractions to become the new NXT Champion?
See who prevails in this storied showodwn for the NXT Championship when Andrade “Cien” Almas and Johnny Gargano battle
at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia tonight at 8 ET/5 PT, exclusively on the award-winning WWE Network.