TakeOver: Brooklyn, Tough Enough and Latest WWE NXT Developmental News

What to expect at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn when it arrives and what's next for two former Tough Enough contestants headline the newest round of WWE developmental news.

On the night before SummerSlam, NXT travels to Brooklyn for its latest live special. A famous name is scheduled to be there, as part of the pre-show panel. And there are at least some rumblings that a Hall of Famer might show up as well.

As for Tough Enough, both the men and women's finals are set. What may be more interesting, though, is what Mada is up to post-elimination.

In other news, an indy star refutes reports of him being hurt at an NXT event, fans will soon be able to see the WWE Performance Center up close and Bayley fought her latest battle on a main-roster show.

All-Access Pass Announced

On Sept. 28, fans will have the opportunity to step behind the NXT curtain and see how WWE's next generation is built.

WWE announced on its official website that the company "is opening the doors to the state-of-the-art Performance Center in Orlando, Fla. to a limited number of fans from the WWE Universe." The backstage pass includes lunch with NXT Superstars, the chance to take a promo class, a tour of the facility, a Q&A with wrestlers and staff and more.

It's not a cheap experience; it will run you about $1,500.

For those with enough cash to spare, it's a fan's dream come true. This is close to the ring as most of us will come. 

And for WWE, this is a smart move. It's an easy way to bring in a few more bucks while giving some fans the experience of a lifetime. 

NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn Updates

NXT fans already know that Jushin Liger and Apollo Crews are going to be at the next TakeOver special. One Hall of Famer will be there for sure; another is a maybe for the event.

Lita will be joining the pre-show panel as announced on WWE.com. Scott Hall, who will be in town for SummerSlam festivities, may well show up as well. According to PWInsider Elite (h/t Wrestling Inc), there has been some talk about Hall attending the NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn.

With Lita already around for Tough Enough, it's a no-brainer to use her to add interest in the pre-show. 

Should Hall show his face at TakeOver, he'll join a list of big names who have made NXT cameos that includes Ric Flair, Bret Hart and John Cena.

Lastly, there has been some confusion about when the event starts and what matches will be on the card. Triple H cleared that up in his latest NXT conference call.

Citing that call, PWInsider's Mike Johnson noted, "The entire card is not for the Network live. The show in Brooklyn will first film a 90 minute episode of NXT for the following week, then broadcast the 2 hour Takeover show."

Indy Star Denies Getting Injured at NXT Taping

Former Ring of Honor star Tommaso Ciampa recently made his way to Full Sail University for a tag team match alongside Johnny Gargano last Thursday. Daily DDT posted several photos that fans took at the event.  

The bigger news, though, coming out of this appearance was centered around reports that Ciampa suffered a neck injury during the bout.

He refutes those reports, however. Ciampa tweeted, "Insanely disappointed to see completely misinformed people report false injuries. I'm 100% healthy."

Ciampa worked a match for Premiere Wrestling Xperience in North Carolina just three days after his supposed neck injury, as seen on CageMatch.net.

This could just be a case of someone mistaking good selling for a legit injury or just some poor journalism. Wrestling fans are not strangers to seeing rumors and news turn out to be false.

Former Tough Enough Contestants Not Done with Wrestling

When fans voted Mada off Tough Enough weeks ago, Chris Jericho told him, "This is just the beginning for you. This is not the end of the road."

Mada looks to be proving Jericho right. He's working on his mat skills with the man who turned Eva Marie's career around.

PWInsider's Mike Johnson reported, "Mada and Daria are now training with Brian Kendrick in California."

That's no sign that WWE is interested in either one of them, but just that both former Tough Enough contestants are working to continue their journey in the wrestling business. With as talented and charismatic as Mada is, this is sure to be just the first step of many.

Other News, Notes

Before she challenges Sasha Banks in Brooklyn, Bayley clashed with the NXT women's champ as part of the main roster. Bayley worked the Aug. 15 WWE house show in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She then took on Naomi the next night in Fargo, North Dakota, per CageMatch.net.

The babyface lost both matches.

These are Bayley's first chances to wrestle a main-roster show. One would imagine that she'll stick around NXT for a while if she beats Banks for the title, but working these events suggests a promotion is coming.

On the latest episode of Tough Enough, fans voted to eliminate Tanner. That leaves just Josh and ZZ on the men's side. Amanda and Sara Lee are the two female finalists. 

And in what could be a preview of some gear for Apollo Crews, WWE is trying to trademark a blend of his old and new ring names. Steven Fernandes noted on PWInsider that "WWE have registered to trademark 'Apollo Nation' which would obviously be associated with the former Uhaa Nation, Apollo Crews."