Perfectly Glorious: Dillinger, Roode prepare for Toronto debuts at NXT TakeOver

Tye Dillinger saw his goal every time he travelled to Toronto on the way to a small independent wrestling show. Getting a bus at Union Station or grabbing a ride to the airport would take him past Air Canada Centre, where wrestling’s elite have done battle in front of famously electric crowds.

“I used to pass by that arena almost on a weekly basis while travelling to various independents throughout Ontario,” said Dillinger from the WWE’s Performance Centre in Orlando, Fla. “And I always told myself that if I could wrestle there, if I could be inside that arena, the Air Canada Centre, then I’ve done something incredible in my career.”

Dillinger — known as the “Perfect 10” — will realize that dream along with fellow Canadian Bobby Roode on Saturday when they face each other in their in-ring Toronto debuts at NXT TakeOver, the first of three shows World Wrestling Entertainment is putting on at the arena this weekend. It’s the culmination of 15 years of hard work for Dillinger and 20 years in the business for Roode.

“Two Canadian guys on such a big stage, wrestling in what is essentially both of our hometowns, it’s going to be special for both of us,” said Roode, who is billed from Toronto. “We’re going to try and knock it out of the park. We’re going to beat the crap out of each other but we’re going to enjoy every minute of it, hopefully the fans enjoy it, and we’re going to try and steal the show.”

The rivals have taken different paths to their hometown show, which will air live on the WWE Network.

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Roode spent most of his career as a star in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, a promotion based in the southern United States that rarely comes to Canada. He signed with the Connecticut-based WWE in June and has been wrestling in NXT, the developmental brand of the promotion.

“It’s rejuvenated me. I’m having fun again,” said Roode. “When you’re able to do what you love to do every single day and you’re having fun doing it, it makes life fun. There’s no better place in my opinion than the WWE.”

Dillinger has worked in the indy scene and in WWE’s developmental territories since 2002 and recently found success in NXT with his “Perfect 10” persona, where he rates competitors, fans and commentators out of 10. Without fail, they come up short while he is consistently a 10. He’ll flash all 10 of his fingers at opponents during his matches while the crowd chants “Ten! Ten! Ten!”

That kind of crowd interaction has become a hallmark for both Dillinger and Roode.

In August, Roode made his debut with WWE and caught fans attention with his memorable entrance music “Glorious Domination” by CFO$. The song begins with a piano flourish, then a soaring chorus in the vein of classic Queen rock anthems before electric guitars take over.

Roode made his in-ring debut in August at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, descending from the rafters as the crowd sang along to “Glorious Domination.” The YouTube video of his grand entrance has over 1.2 million views to date and “Glorious Domination” was the best-selling soundtrack song on iTunes in the United States for the following two days.

Roode expects his reception will be even bigger on Saturday.

“Growing up in the Toronto area, experiencing shows as a kid in the area, the fans are the most receptive and some of the best fans anywhere in the world,” said Roode. “I think Toronto will definitely out-do Brooklyn. It’s going to be an electrifying moments and probably a memory that will last forever.”

Dillinger knows that the crowd in Toronto — famous for vocally supporting Canadian talent — will be divided between him and Roode.

“It’s going to be a very interesting dynamic when ‘Glorious’ hits in that arena,” said Dillinger, who is billed from Niagara Falls, Ont. “And it’s going to be an interesting dynamic when ’10’ hits in that arena. I’m looking forward to seeing the reactions as much as anyone else.”

On Sunday, the annual Survivor Series pay-per-view event will be at ACC, featuring Canadians Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, Sami Zayn, Tyler Breeze and Maryse Ouellet. The weekend closes with a “Raw” show on Monday.

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John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press