WWE NXT Takeover: New York Predictions
NXT Takeover is tomorrow night for a change and the card is stacked. There is tag team titles on the line, UK title on the line, the North American title on the line, the women’s title on the line and even the NXT championship on the line. Ben Hercik has his hands full at Wrestlemania but at Takeover, he is testing himself against Josh and Token. Let’s get this party started.
War Raiders (C) Vs. Aleister Black & Ricochet (NXT Tag Team Championships)
Ben: I think this is a rather straightforward one. Black and Ricochet are appearing on the main roster regularly, but that may not mean anything and we are all being played like fiddles. War Raiders just won the championships, so it would be very surprising if War Raides lost the titles after one defense. Plus then you can build them up to be dominant champions, and let them have a lengthy title reign.
WINNERS: War Raiders
Josh: I’m not going to predict anything crazy here and I’m going to go with the safe option; a title retention from the War Raiders. The Raiders of War haven’t really did anything or note since becoming champions so I think a win over two already established names such as Aleister Black & Ricochet would do great wonders for their careers and really cement their status as a big name down in NXT.
Prediction: War Raiders
Token: This match I believe will be great as both teams have their own unique styles in the ring. To be honest here, with the success Black and Ricochet have been making on the main roster I don't see them winning the tag titles here. I'm going with the War Raiders retaining the titles here.
Prediction: War Raiders
WINNERS: War Raiders
Josh: I’m not going to predict anything crazy here and I’m going to go with the safe option; a title retention from the War Raiders. The Raiders of War haven’t really did anything or note since becoming champions so I think a win over two already established names such as Aleister Black & Ricochet would do great wonders for their careers and really cement their status as a big name down in NXT.
Prediction: War Raiders
Token: This match I believe will be great as both teams have their own unique styles in the ring. To be honest here, with the success Black and Ricochet have been making on the main roster I don't see them winning the tag titles here. I'm going with the War Raiders retaining the titles here.
Prediction: War Raiders
Pete Dunne (C) Vs. WALTER (U.K Championship)
Josh: WALTER’s first takeover match is going to be brilliant. I cannot wait for this match and this is the match where Dunne will drop his UK title and it’s about time to as he’s been champion for about 685 days which is just a ridiculous number. I’m not a big wrestling fan but I’ve seen some of WALTER’s work and he is just crazy especially with his chops. He goes by the nickname “Cheeky Chops” which may or may not be true but we’ll call him it anyway - not to his face of course. This will be a great match and I’m going with WALTER to win this match here.
Prediction: WALTER
Token: This has the David vs Goliath feel to it. WALTER, who's as tall as the Empire State Building, going against Pete Dunne, who's 5'10. Both guys deliver in the ring and this match could be a real hard hitter. Pete Dunne has held that UK title for 682+ days now and honestly there's nothing left for him to do with it. I'm predicting WALTER will win the UK title here.
Prediction: WALTER
Ben: I am so excited for this one, and it is huge. Dunne has been champion for almost 700 days. It was thought that nobody would be able to take the title off of him, but then WALTER showed up. I think of all the times Dunne could have lost the title, this is the perfect time. He helped establish the brand and is ready for bigger and (hopefully) better things on the main roster. WALTER is already an unstoppable beast, and putting the title on him and seeing him do anything to retain that title, then by all means let it happen.
WINNER: WALTER
Prediction: WALTER
Token: This has the David vs Goliath feel to it. WALTER, who's as tall as the Empire State Building, going against Pete Dunne, who's 5'10. Both guys deliver in the ring and this match could be a real hard hitter. Pete Dunne has held that UK title for 682+ days now and honestly there's nothing left for him to do with it. I'm predicting WALTER will win the UK title here.
Prediction: WALTER
Ben: I am so excited for this one, and it is huge. Dunne has been champion for almost 700 days. It was thought that nobody would be able to take the title off of him, but then WALTER showed up. I think of all the times Dunne could have lost the title, this is the perfect time. He helped establish the brand and is ready for bigger and (hopefully) better things on the main roster. WALTER is already an unstoppable beast, and putting the title on him and seeing him do anything to retain that title, then by all means let it happen.
WINNER: WALTER
Shayna Baszler (C) Vs. Io Shirai Vs. Bianca Belair Vs. Kairi Sane (NXT Women’s Championship)
Token: This looks like it'll be a fun 4 way match as all four women are some of the very best in NXT. I honestly think this will have a shock outcome as many people believe Shayna will retain her title. I truly believe otherwise. I predict Io Shirai will win the Women's Championship here.
Prediction: Io Shirai
Ben: This one has a bit of a challenge to it. Shayna has done a great job being a dominant heel, as she has had a run of the roost with the NXT women’s division. But it is a time for a changing of the guard, the only question is who should it be. I don’t think it will be Sane, as I have her going to the main roster. So I am left with two options, and I am torn. I think both Belair and Shirai would be a great champion, but the question is who would be the chaser. I think that if you bring in a name as big as Io Shirai, you want her to be the champion and I think it is for the best, as it would allow for Belair to chase for the title and learn a lot from Shirai.
WINNER: Io Shirai
Josh: This should be a fun match up between 4 of NXT’s best women. There are other names in the women’s division which could’ve been fun as well like Candice LeRae or Dakota Kai but I think these names are more than great. I think Baszler’s reign ends at takeover and I can’t see Sane getting another run, I think Baszler will get called up and the same will happen to Sane unless WWE wants to keep Shirai and Sane together. My prediction is Io Shirai, Belair could also win the belt but I don’t see it happening and by the process of elimination, Io Shirai is the new women’s champion.
Prediction: Io Shirai
Prediction: Io Shirai
Ben: This one has a bit of a challenge to it. Shayna has done a great job being a dominant heel, as she has had a run of the roost with the NXT women’s division. But it is a time for a changing of the guard, the only question is who should it be. I don’t think it will be Sane, as I have her going to the main roster. So I am left with two options, and I am torn. I think both Belair and Shirai would be a great champion, but the question is who would be the chaser. I think that if you bring in a name as big as Io Shirai, you want her to be the champion and I think it is for the best, as it would allow for Belair to chase for the title and learn a lot from Shirai.
WINNER: Io Shirai
Josh: This should be a fun match up between 4 of NXT’s best women. There are other names in the women’s division which could’ve been fun as well like Candice LeRae or Dakota Kai but I think these names are more than great. I think Baszler’s reign ends at takeover and I can’t see Sane getting another run, I think Baszler will get called up and the same will happen to Sane unless WWE wants to keep Shirai and Sane together. My prediction is Io Shirai, Belair could also win the belt but I don’t see it happening and by the process of elimination, Io Shirai is the new women’s champion.
Prediction: Io Shirai
The Velveteen Dream (C) Vs. Matt Riddle (NXT North American Championship)
Ben: This might be the hardest match to predict of all Wrestlemania weekend. You have two very talented wrestlers, and two really hot guys right now in the wrestling world. What makes this hard for me is the curse of the North American Championship that we have seen. Every champion has lost the title in their first televised defense, and this would be Dream’s first defense. I think this is a match just to get Riddle on the card, as he deserves to be, because I think Riddle has higher expectations and will be the person that takes the title off of whoever wins the main event. I’ll take Dream here, but have absolutely no clue.
WINNER: Velveteen Dream
Josh: This will be fun. I like Matt Riddle and he has potential to be a fantastic key player in both NXT and the main roster and his wrestling style can really be different from a lot of people. The NXT North American championship isn’t that prestigious to be honest but it has potential to really elevate people who isn’t doing much and Riddle with the belt can elevate him to the next step - same with Keith Lee who’s potential is “limitless”. I think we’ll see Riddle Vs. Lee in the near future with the belt on the line and I think we’ll see the Dream lose the belt tomorrow night.
Prediction: Matt Riddle
Token: Velveteen Dream won the NA Championship not that long ago and I believe this will be his first title defense. Matt Riddle will definitely be a star in NXT and will held championship gold, but that will come at a later time. I predict Velveteen Dream retaining his title.
Prediction: The Velveteen Dream
WINNER: Velveteen Dream
Josh: This will be fun. I like Matt Riddle and he has potential to be a fantastic key player in both NXT and the main roster and his wrestling style can really be different from a lot of people. The NXT North American championship isn’t that prestigious to be honest but it has potential to really elevate people who isn’t doing much and Riddle with the belt can elevate him to the next step - same with Keith Lee who’s potential is “limitless”. I think we’ll see Riddle Vs. Lee in the near future with the belt on the line and I think we’ll see the Dream lose the belt tomorrow night.
Prediction: Matt Riddle
Token: Velveteen Dream won the NA Championship not that long ago and I believe this will be his first title defense. Matt Riddle will definitely be a star in NXT and will held championship gold, but that will come at a later time. I predict Velveteen Dream retaining his title.
Prediction: The Velveteen Dream
Johnny Gargano Vs. Adam Cole (NXT Championship)
Josh: This is a two out of three falls match and if this is given the time, it will be fantastic. This will most likely go for 30 minutes probably even longer and it’s going to set the bar high for Wrestlemania. Gargano has the story to win however is already performing on the main roster while Cole is a brilliant wrestler who can carry the title and make NXT undisputed. My prediction is Adam Cole and even though that’s bold, I’m going with it. At Wrestlemania: I’m coming for that belt, Hercik.
Prediction: Adam Cole
Token: Tomasso Ciampa's unfortunate injury created a epic match for the main event of Takeover here. Johnny has been chasing that title for a couple years now. Adam Cole along with the Undisputed Era has been dominated NXT ever since they've arrived in the company. This might be the match of the night and should feature an outstanding outcome. I predict Johnny Gargano will win and finally capture the NXT Championship.
Prediction: Johnny Gargano
Ben: I think that this could be, and might be the best match of the entire Wrestlemania weekend. You have two of the best wrestlers in the world fighting for the biggest title in NXT. I only see one way this match ends. You have been telling the Johnny Gargano story for just under two years. I think that here is where that story reaches its pinnacle, and we see Gargano finally lift that title above his head. I love Adam Cole, and call it homerizm if you want, I am taking the Cleveland born, Cleveland raised, and Cleveland made Johnny Gargano
WINNER: Johnny Gargano
Prediction: Adam Cole
Token: Tomasso Ciampa's unfortunate injury created a epic match for the main event of Takeover here. Johnny has been chasing that title for a couple years now. Adam Cole along with the Undisputed Era has been dominated NXT ever since they've arrived in the company. This might be the match of the night and should feature an outstanding outcome. I predict Johnny Gargano will win and finally capture the NXT Championship.
Prediction: Johnny Gargano
Ben: I think that this could be, and might be the best match of the entire Wrestlemania weekend. You have two of the best wrestlers in the world fighting for the biggest title in NXT. I only see one way this match ends. You have been telling the Johnny Gargano story for just under two years. I think that here is where that story reaches its pinnacle, and we see Gargano finally lift that title above his head. I love Adam Cole, and call it homerizm if you want, I am taking the Cleveland born, Cleveland raised, and Cleveland made Johnny Gargano
WINNER: Johnny Gargano
