This is the first of a long week of predictions and we start off with NXT Takeover: Stand and Deliver night one. WWE have really adopted the New Japan style of PPV with Wrestlemania and Takeover both being over two nights. Being from the UK, this is going to finish my sleep schedule so I hope both of these events deliver, no pun intended.
Pete Dunne vs Kushida
We have two of the best technical wrestlers in the world going at each other to start off. I’ve enjoyed heel Dunne as of late, especially his work against Adam Cole and Finn Balor, but I think this could be the best match of the bunch. The grappling will be fun to watch and although there hasn’t been much build to this bout, if you know wrestling, you know their styles build the match itself. In terms of who wins, if there’s a definitive finish, Dunne wins, if it’s ‘screwy’ roll up, then I’ve got Kushida. Out of those two options I’m taking Dunne but don’t be surprised if Kushida wins by a roll up.
Prediction: Pete Dunne
MSK vs Grizzled Young Veterans vs Legado del Fantasma – NXT Tag Team Championships
Due to an injury sustained by Danny Burch, him and Oney Lorcan had to relinquish the tag titles making this match for the vacant belts. This could definitely be match of the night if it’s given the time it deserves. All three teams are worthy to be champions and I don’t think there’s one clear direction they’ll go with this. I’m leaning towards the Grizzled Young Veterans. I don’t think Legado del Fantasma have enough momentum behind them to pick up the win so I’m counting them out, which leaves the finalists of the Dusty Classic. I think we have a long feud brewing between these two teams and if MSK were to defeat the Veterans twice, there would be no justification for another match between these two excellent teams. So I’m going with the Veterans.
Prediction: Grizzled Young Veterans
Leon Ruff vs Isiah “Swerve” Scott vs Bronson Reed vs Cameron Grimes vs Dexter Lumis vs LA Knight – North American Championship No.1 Contender Gauntlet Match
Lumis makes sense because he’s had this odd feud with Johnny Gargano for what feels like a year now, however I feel like NA champ could do some tampering in this match giving someone else the win but I’m still siding with Lumis as of now. I don’t know if we’ll have an Iron Man in this match. I don’t see Ruff or Scott eliminating Reed and I think Reed won’t make it past Lumis, but if he does, he’ll win the match 100%. I think this pick is between Reed and Lumis and I’m gonna stick with Dexter Lumis.
Prediction: Dexter Lumis
WALTER (c) vs Tommaso Ciampa – NXT UK Championship
This match is going to be a hard hitting affair for sure and I believe it’s a pretty easy prediction as well. WALTER has held the belt for over 700 days now and I don’t think Ciampa is the right man to take the belt from him. I think we’ll see a match pretty similar to the Dragunov match in terms of style and quality but the Ringgeneral should retain. I wonder who’ll beat this man.
Prediction: WALTER
Io Shirai (c) vs Raquel Gonzalez – NXT Women’s Championship
The build up to this has been exceptional. This is the match I’ve been looking forward to the most on both nights, let alone night one. These women deserve the main event. If Dakota Kai wasn’t a factor, I would pick Raquel with no questions asked, but as of late, we’ve seen Dakota pushed to the side by Raquel Gonzalez and I’m not sure if NXT are just teasing us with a turn or if it’s genuinely going to happen tomorrow night. What I expect to see is Dakota vs Raquel down the line. When it comes to Io, she doesn’t need the belt anymore, she’s been champion for nearly a year now and I think her time is up. I have faith that Raquel could be the next dominant champion because the momentum she has behind her right now is incredible. She’s genuinely my favourite character in NXT at the moment apart from Kyle O’Reilly so I’m hoping they don’t mess up her push. She needs to win tomorrow night.
Prediction: Raquel Gonzalez
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