Report: Original Plans for “Takeover: New Orleans” Main Event (Contains Spoiler)

Monster out, kicker in. Back in January, Andrade Cien Almas defeated Johnny Gargano in an instant classic to retain the NXT Title at “Takeover: Philadelphia”. That victory meant it was time for a new challenger to step up and after the most recent set of “NXT” tapings, that challenger was set. However, a new report says it wasn’t the originally planned name.

According to “Wrestling Observer Radio” by way of Wrestlinginc.com, Lars Sullivan was scheduled to challenge Almas for the NXT Title at “Takeover: New Orleans”. For reasons that aren’t currently clear, Sullivan was replaced with Aleister Black, who was announced as the challenger at the recent TV tapings. Sullivan hasn’t wrestled since a house show on January 6.

Here’s the kind of monster Sullivan can be:

Lars Sullivan makes his intimidating ring entrance: NXT TakeOver: WarGames (WWE Network Exclusive)

Opinion: While this might sound good on paper, I’m kind of surprised that Black wasn’t the plan all along. He won a huge match at “Takeover: Philadelphia” and has been one of the biggest and most pushed stars in NXT since his debut. Sullivan is a big deal and a monster, but Black seems much better suited for this spot.

Would you prefer Black or Sullivan in this spot? Will Black win the title? Let us know in the comments below.