NXT TakeOver: Respect: Date, Start Time, Matches, Live Stream and More

WWE's women's wrestling is set to have its watershed moment as NXT TakeOver: Respect offers Bayley and Sasha Banks a historic stage on which to perform.

On Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. ET, NXT puts on it latest live special. As much buzz as Asuka's debut and the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic are generating, nothing is creating conversation like Bayley and Bank's rematch for the NXT Women's Championship. That bout will not only be a stellar show, but it will break ground.

It marks the first time women have main evented a show of this size. It marks the women's division first entry into the Iron Man match format.

The always ardent crowd at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida, is sure to ring in that moment with its trademark passion. Meanwhile, the rest of the WWE fanbase will be watching on, hoping for a masterpiece, imagining a future where this kind of showcase of women is commonplace.

Live Stream

Before the action, Renee Young will host a 30-minute pre-show that begins at 7:30 ET.

Corey Graves and Byron Saxton will join Young as usual. In addition, WWE announced (h/t Wrestle Zone) that Hall of Famer Lita will also be on the show's panel. That foursome will break down the night's matches, offer predictions and catch fans up on the storylines leading up to the bouts.

Fans can stream the pre-show live for free on WWE.com, the WWE App, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Pinterest and Pheed.

The event itself is available only on the WWE Network (subscription required). TakeOver: Respect will stream live and can be seen on one's tablet, laptop or mobile device. In addition, fans can catch all the action live via the WWE Network on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, as well as Xbox and PlayStation consoles. A full list of compatible devices is here.

Check availability around the globe in the WWE Network support section.

Match Card

• Asuka vs. Dana Brooke
• Apollo Crews vs. Tyler Breeze
• Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic semifinals and finals
• Bayley vs. Sasha Banks (30-Minute Iron Man match for NXT Women's Championship)

Asuka Debuts

The women's division gets a jolt of electricity with the addition of Japanese star Asuka (formerly Kana). The hard-hitting submission specialist brings a wealth of experience and a flair for the theatrical to Full Sail University.

Brooke is new to the mat game, coming to WWE by way of bodybuilding and fitness modeling. She's a raw talent going up against a buzz saw of a foe.

She and Emma have been NXT's resident mean girls. They mocked the newcomer upon her arrival and may now pay for that with pain.

Will WWE just have Asuka bulldoze Brooke here or try to make her look like a legit threat to the top of the women's division? The former is the safer bet, with WWE booking Asuka in Brock Lesnar-like fashion.

A Pair of Rising Stars

It's hard to imagine that Crews and Breeze stay in NXT for all that long. Both are among the top talents the developmental brand has to offer, each having few holes in their game.

Crews is NXT's most stunning athlete, taking up Neville's mantle there. Breeze has been masterful as the cocky, flamboyant, self-absorbed model-turned-wrestler. 

Prince Pretty, though, doesn't have as many standout matches on his resume as one would hope for after this much time at NXT. He has an excellent chance to score one here, Crews' electric style assuring that this will be a fun contest.

Storyline-wise, Crews is looking to establish himself in the NXT ranks. Breeze, meanwhile, is looking for a means to climb back up after so briefly traveling to the title picture.

Climax of the Classic

The tag team tournament set up to honor the late Dusty Rhodes concludes at TakeOver: Respect.

Baron Corbin and Rhyno meet Jason Jordan and Chad Gable in one semifinal matchup. Finn Balor and Samoa Joe take on Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder in the other. The winners face off in the finals.

NXT hasn't milked the potential of this tournament as much as it could, but these last three showdowns could well make up for that.

The field is an intriguing mix of super squads composed of singles stars and teams currently lower down the food chain. Hopefully, this turns into a showcase for Dawson, Jordan and company, talented performers in need of some momentum.

Balor's inclusion in the tourney means there will be no NXT title match for the first time in TakeOver's history. WWE may be looking to set up his next big challenge, though, with an incident during this competition serving as a catalyst for a new rivalry.

Time to Make History

The last time Bayley and Banks met, the lovable underdog dethroned the sassy sadist in an instant classic. It will soon be time to again adjust one's match-of-the-year rankings. Excellence is on its way.

While the main roster's Divas Revolution sputters thanks to misguided booking, NXT continues to use straight-ahead storytelling to elevate its women.

The narrative is simple here. Bayley emerged from TakeOver: Brooklyn as having proved herself, but her work isn't done. In order to show that she's truly worthy of the title, she has to outlast Banks in a grueling Iron Man match.

Banks is out to prove that their last meeting was a fluke. She wants to beat Bayley thoroughly this time out.

With an always-compelling stipulation at their disposal and the center of the spotlight pointing at them, count on Banks and Bayley delivering in the clutch. They have both shown themselves to be at their best in the biggest moments. 

And there are few bigger moments in the evolution of women's division than this one. Bayley and Banks can spearhead the revolution that the main roster has been promising.