NXT will have the entire weekend to themselves as they emanate from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. I anticipate the Portland crowd will be electric as they take in their first NXT TakeOver and what a card they have. Here’s some predictions of winners and how the show may go down.
I presumed the first match in this feud would take place at TakeOver but I was a bit shocked when it happened on an episode of NXT. This time the two will meet in a Street Fight. I loved the turn by Dakota back at NXT TakeOver WarGames 3 and feel Dakota has transformed her character so much. Tegan Nox has had some struggles early on with her WWE career with injuries that took her out for a lengthy time but I am happy she gets to compete in her first NXT TakeOver featured match. I know that Nox got a quick victory in their first encounter so I am leaning towards Kai taking advantage of the Street Fight stipulation and getting the win here to set up a rubber match, likely in Tampa at the next TakeOver.
WINNER: DAKOTA KAI
The North American Championship is the on the line as Lee and Dijakovic resume their feud and add to their series of matches. This should be a fun match between two athletic freaks whose movesets defy logic. I think Lee retains as he has had some tremendous momentum in the last few months with an impressive showing at Survivor Series and the Royal Rumble. If Lee were to lose, however, it could signal his arrival to RAW or Smackdown but I anticipate that may happen on one of the post-Wrestlemania shows rather than now.
WINNER: KEITH LEE
There is no reason for Johnny TakeOver not to shine in this one as he goes one on one with Finn Balor. I know Balor returned to NXT as a way of finding himself once again but that would be more a babyface story. The story of the Prince returning to his kingdom to target those atop the brand was apparent when Balor took out Gargano and sidelined from competition at NXT TakeOver: WarGames. Upon his return, Gargano seemingly cost Balor the NXT Championship. The result in this one could go either way but often it appears Gargano has tremendous matches which he finds himself on the losing end of.
WINNER: FINN BALOR
When thinking of this match I can only ask one question, how much fish could Bobby Fish fry, if Bobby Fish could fry fish? Again I ask, how much fish could Bobby Fish fry, if Bobby Fish could fry fish? This is enough for me to be invested in this match and want to see new NXT Tag Team Champions. I predict the 2020 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic winners: the Broserweights.
WINNER: MATT RIDDLE & PETE DUNNE
I am a fan of both competitors and am I still waiting for the crowning moment for Bianca Belair. Her dominant performance in the Royal Rumble hopefully got some more attention placed on her because she is a future player in the women’s division in WWE. Unfortunately, I just don’t see her defeating Rhea this early into Ripley’s reign. The likely direction is for Rhea to retain and go on to Wrestlemania to defend her title against Charlotte. Bianca did a good job of ensuring she won’t be overlooked and this could end up being a Triple Threat if fans clamor for Belair’s inclusion in the match or if Belair has a performance of a lifetime on Sunday. I think this will be a competitive match and Rhea retains but not in a dominant fashion leading to an eventual rematch between the two.
WINNER: RHEA RIPLEY
Tomasso Ciampa finally gets his opportunity to recapture a title he was never defeated for. When Ciampa had to surrender the NXT Championship or “Goldie”, Adam Cole replaced him in the main event of NXT TakeOver: New York. Johnny Gargano would defeat Cole on that night but it led to a series of matches in which Cole would capture the title and hold onto it ever since. Now Ciampa gets to go one on one with a man who capitalized on his injury and absence. Everything points to Cole losing the title but I could see the Undisputed Era getting involved and ensuring that the team holds onto the most coveted title in NXT. In any event, I think Cole wins this one proving that he wasn’t just some lucky opportunist but the greatest NXT Champion of all time.
WINNER: ADAM COLE
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