Night two has a lot to live up to after a brilliant night one. All the matches were excellent and we crowned two new champions in MSK and Raquel Gonzalez.
In terms of my predictions for Night One. I got 3/5 right. I missed out on MSK winning the belts as I thought the Grizzled Young Veterans would score the win in the triple threat tag match. Furthermore, I missed out on Bronson Reed winning the Gauntlet match. I gave the possibility of both of those happening but I missed out on two 50/50s. That’s enough about yesterday’s event. Onto today’s predictions.
Santos Escobar (c) vs Jordan Devlin (c) – NXT Cruiserweight Championship Ladder Match
So this match is to crown the undisputed Cruiserweight champ as Devlin couldn’t compete due to COVID restrictions. I think Escobar has done an excellent job over the past 10 months with that belt but for me he should be in the North American title picture and I think Triple H believes envisions that as well. Furthermore, as Devlin didn’t really get a run with the belt, winning it in late January 2020, I think it’s only fair he wins. However, I won’t be surprised if Escobar wins simply to create a heartfelt return journey to the belt for Devlin. He could be screwed by Legado Del Fantasma, giving us a rematch down the line which Devlin wins. Just for that reason, I’m going with Escobar to become the Undisputed champion.
Prediction: Santos Escobar
Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart (c) vs The Way – NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships
The Way are brilliant, but I don’t see them winning tonight. These titles were introduced a couple of weeks ago and Moon and Blackheart are already the second team to hold them. They’re really growing as a duo and I’d like to see them hold these straps for the considerable future. Moreover, LeRae and Hartwell don’t need the belts right now and their credibility won’t be affected from a loss. I think it only makes sense to have Moon and Blackheart retain.
Prediction: Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart
Johnny Gargano (c) vs Bronson Reed – NXT North American Championship
Reed had an excellent performance last night in the Gauntlet Eliminator, finally getting an opportunity to show his talent on the big stage. I think he has the potential to hold this belt for sure, but Johnny Gargano is NXT royalty and I don’t think they’re going to take the belt off him just yet. I think this may end up in a disqualification. I know it’s a big PPV, but I think they could be building a long term feud between these two in which Reed finally takes the belt off Gargano after months of running from the Australian. NXT have already done the shock factor, no build up title loss with Gargano last year with Leon Ruff so I don’t expect them to do it tonight. I can only see a Gargano retention by cheating or disqualification.
Prediction: Bronson Reed by DQ, Gargano retains the title
Kyle O’Reilly vs Adam Cole – Unsanctioned Match
I can’t wait. This will probably be the match of the whole event. Two former best friends turned bitter enemies. I really want to see an Undisputed Era Fatal 4 way and I think they’re waiting for Bobby Fish to fully recover until they go all guns blazing for that. I think the big question is will Roderick Strong get involved? The answer to that is yes, but who will it favour? In my opinion, whoever Strong’s interference benefits, wins this match. Also, I think that will eventually build to the fatal 4 way. On the other hand, this could be Cole’s last match in NXT. He’s achieved practically everything he can in NXT and he could be called up to Smackdown or Raw after Wrestlemania. If this Undisputed Era feud is a long term idea, then I’m siding with Cole. If not? Then O’Reilly is the pick that makes sense because this win will set up his singles run. Another factor is that O’Reilly hasn’t won on PPV match yet by himself and I wonder if NXT will consider that with who they pick to take the win. I’m really torn with this one but I’m going to take Adam Cole, on the hope this feud goes long term.
Prediction: Adam Cole
Finn Balor (c) vs Karrion Kross – NXT Championship
Finn has been excellent as champ since returning to NXT but I think he’s done the job he’s needed to do. Kross is the rightful champion after having to relinquish the belt as he got injured against Keith Lee and I think he’ll get the run he deserves as champion. I wonder who’ll they pick to beat him. Potentially O’Reilly way down the line around September time. I think the only reason they wouldn’t put the belt on Kross is if they want to promote him to the main roster. However, that’s not swaying me, Kross should pick up the win.
Prediction: Karrion Kross
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