Predicting The NXT Brooklyn 5 Card (and the winners)

Written By Ben Hercik

Over the past few years, NXT Takeovers have been heralded as better than whatever the main roster can put on the next night. Some might even think that Takeover is now on a bit of a pedestal just waiting for something to topple it, but nothing that the main roster does is working. I for one love the general overall feel for Takeovers. You build up feuds over a 3-4 month period and they culmulate at that Takeover. It is, for a lack of a better term, very New Japan esque. And since I did one of these for Wrestle Kingdom 13 in January, lets see how accurate I can be for an event next April (and yes there will be one of these for Wrestlemania 35 as well).

Kassius Ohno Vs. Keith Lee

I have to think that this would be the final match for Ohno in NXT, and it’s a shame that is probably the case. During his time in NXT, he was severely under used in both stints there. I think that Ohno is great, just needs to be used correctly. As for Keith Lee, this could be used to start his ascent up the card. He would get the biggest win of his NXT career. These two are familiar with each other, both men faced off at Wrestlemania Axxess this past Mania. I don’t know how long Keith Lee’s run in NXT will be, but this would probably be the biggest win at that time.


WINNER: Keith Lee

Ligero Vs. The Velveteen Dream

So these next two matches are a bit of a want more than what I expect. Also I had this match in mind before the announcement of NXTUK, and I have no idea how that will affect Takeover events moving forward. The booking for this match is simple. Velveteen Dream can say that he can take on anyone and that nobody scares him. This can lead to Ligero coming out, and knowing the typical Mania crowds are full of indy wrestling fans, gets a huge pop. While I do like Velveteen Dream, this match is more for Ligero than anything since I am a big fan of his and also it would be amazing to see him on the big stage. As for Dream, this could be his last match in NXT, but I don’t think it will be. He needs just a little more experience and seasoning and then he will be ready for the main roster. Who wins this match is a toss up, as both are amazingly good. It all depends how well Ligero is doing, if he even is signed for NXTUK, but given his prestige and veteran leadership, I imagine he would be. I do think that Ligero pulls out the win and Dream gets even more experience in this defeat.


WINNER: Ligero

Pete Dunne (c) Vs. Travis Banks (UK Championship)

I want to see this match more than imaginable. These two have so much chemistry together that any fan of British wrestling would love this match. Banks came within seconds of challenging Dunne at Royal Albert Hall, but was denied twice by losing to Zack Gibson and not winning the #1 contender fatal 4-way. Also, Banks feud with Joe Coffey should be well over by now and Pete Dunne deserves to be on every Takeover card, but has only been on 2 since signing with WWE. Again, no idea how NXTUK affects this, but these two tore the house down at Chapter 55 for Progress Wrestling, so lets do it again. I love Banks and would go as far as to put him in my top 5 wrestlers in the world today, its really tough to look past Pete Dunne’s reign as champion. I mean you don’t get to 400+ days as champion by accident, well unless your Brock Lesnar. I do think that Banks defies the odds and finally vanquishes the beast of the UK Division known as Pete Dunne


WINNER: Travis Banks (NEW CHAMPION)

The Undisputed Era (c) Vs. War Raiders Vs. The Street Profits Vs. The Mighty (NXT Tag Team Championships)

I say the more the merrier for this match. WWE is lacking in tradition, well aside from the tradition of having Roman Reigns in the main event of Wrestlemania every year. This fact is even more evident at Wrestlemania, but the Takeover before Wrestlemania could use at least one as well. So lets start a tradition of having a fatal-4 way tag team championship match. The two obvious teams are Undisputed Era, it may be O'Reilly and a returning Fish or one of them with Roderick Strong, and War Raiders (Still not used to calling them that). As for the other 2, I was torn between 3 teams knowing only 2 could be in. They were Street Profits, The Mighty (formerly TM-61), and Moustache Mountain. I think Moustache Mountain would be an amazing add, but I think they will be NXT UK Tag Team Champions, and WWE may not want to have dual champions, so I picked The Mighty and Street Profits. Also, while I don’t think either team will win the titles, Undisputed Era and War Raiders can only be around for so long. NXT should start building these two up so they have a solid tag division with all 4 of these teams along with Heavy Machinery, and with the addition of Lorcan and Burch, plus if they can get one more tag team from Mexico, Canada, or one of the other areas not planned for NXT expansion (not sure how these plans work with NXT today). I think it’s the War Raiders time. You just don’t bring in a team that big and not let them have a run with the titles. Plus we can get the feud of War Raiders vs Undisputed Era (insert meme of Fry from Futurama with ‘shut up and take my money’)

WINNERS: War Raiders (NEW CHAMPIONS)

Shayna Baszler (c) Vs. Dakota Kai (NXT Women’s Championship)

There are a few obstacles that can prevent this match from happening. Shayna is defending against Kairi Sane at Brooklyn IV. I do see a real possibility of Kairi winning it and this match could turn into a match between Sane and Bianca Belair, but I’m not really sold on that yet. There is also the new addition of Io Shirai for the Mae Young Classic, and last time the winner of the MYC (Sane) was awarded a NXT Women’s championship. I just think Io Shirai is to big of a name to be in NXT however , so I think Baszler vs Kai is a safe bet. They seem to be somewhat following the way they booked Bayley in NXT. The pretty good wrestler who is very nice to everyone, and then their is the big bully, and that’s Baszler. I also think that Baszler is not long for NXT. She has been steadily improving every time I see her. I can see her going to Raw and that helps bolster their women’s division even more considering the shake up could affect the Raw Women’s division severely (Bayley or Sasha to Smackdown).

WINNER: Dakota Kai (NEW CHAMPION)

Ricochet (c) Vs. EC3 (NXT North American Championship)

I do think that Ricochet and EC3 should be on the main roster already. They are both solid wrestlers, and in EC3’s character work is great for Raw. I think both should stay in NXT after this match, and both men will then be able to go after the NXT Championship. I see this match allowing both men to show off their in ring skills. I see this as a small feud for the time being, and this title eventually going to Lars Sullivan once he returns, so Ricochet should retain here, preventing challengers from getting a clean sweep of the night (spoiler for the last match).


WINNER: Ricochet

Aleister Black (c) Vs. Adam Cole (NXT Championship)

These 2 put on a great extreme rules match at Takeover: Philadelphia, but this could go to the next degree for their feud. With how much I like both wrestlers, it’s tough to pick a winner, but the store is already there. Aleister has been in developmental for just over 3 years come this match. Aleister is ready for the main roster and he should get their as soon as possible. When Adam Cole came to NXT, he attacked newly crowned NXT Champion Drew McIntyre. I think that Aleister challenging for the title, in the same building he debuted none the less, would be a great way to finish that story. I see this as Adam Cole’s crowning moment. You complete the story and crown one of the American indy darlings as the new champion, around all the independent wrestling fans in the world. As for Aleister's call up, I see him on Smackdown simply because that is the show for the good wrestlers, minus Rollins, Balor, Roode, and The Revival. Also imagine the feud possibilities for him there. Black vs Nakamura, Black vs Joe, Black vs Bryan, Black vs Styles even! The future is bright for both Cole and Black, but on this night, the stars align for Adam Cole.


WINNER: Adam Cole Bay-Bay! (NEW CHAMPION)