Some of the PWP Nation staff make their predictions for NXT TakeOver: New York!
It is officially Wrestlemania weekend and the NXT brand has the first shot at showing the fans what this weekend is all about. NXT TakeOver: New York is tonight, and with one of the best looking cards in the brand’s history, tonight is sure to set the world on fire. Some of us here at PWPNation.com have come together to give you our personal predictions for tonight’s event.
Here is who’s making the picks:
- Jay Alletto: Owner & founder of PWPNation.com
- Caden Moran: Editor-in-Chief
- Eron Ramadanov: Senior writer
- Doug Turrington: PWP Nation contributor
Now let’s get to the picks!
War Raiders vs Aleister Black & Ricochet (NXT Tag Team Championship match)
Jay: War Raiders
This is likely the farewell for Ricochet and Aleister Black in NXT, so I don’t see them winning here. War Raiders are going to be running that tag division for a little while, likely having a feud with The Forgotten Sons in the near future.
Caden: War Raiders
Even though this is an easy match to predict, it should still be a great one. I fully expect War Raiders to take the win to continue their dominant run atop NXT’s tag team division. As for the challengers, Black and Ricochet will have their final NXT appearance tonight before heading to Wrestlemania.
Eron: War Raiders
This is a no-brainer. With Black and Ricochet already on the main roster, I don’t see how the War Raiders don’t retain. Plus, I expect several title changes on this show, so you’d think someone has to retain, right?
Doug: War Raiders
War Raiders dealt with “let’s go jobber” chants on this week’s NXT. They’ve been positioned more as badass babyfaces rather than heels, but with Black and Ricochet, I think they’ll be the team playing the heel role. Even as face versus face, I think War Raiders need it more. They need to be dominant and Black and Ricochet already have the Dusty Cup and don’t need to stay together long term.
Velveteen Dream vs Matt Ridle (NXT North American Championship match)
Jay: Velveteen Dream
Always too many undefeated wrestlers in NXT. I think Velveteen Dream slightly out thinks Matt Riddle here and picks up a win. The North American title needs to stay on Dream. I also feel, at 23 years old, there is no rush to get Dream to the main roster. Riddle is 33 and I feel the right move here is to continue their rivalry for a few months in NXT.
Caden: Velveteen Dream
The NXT North American title has mostly been used as a transitional title. Dream should be the one to hold on to this title for a long time. He is young and has a lot to offer for NXT. As for Riddle, I expect a strong performance from him in his first title match for the brand. However, I see Dream retaining here.
Eron: Matt Riddle
This is a pretty easy choice because it seems like Dream is primed for a main roster call-up in the coming months. As for Riddle, it seems like they have a plan for him that doesn’t include the NXT title right now. I could see them giving him the North American title for a while, to stale the eventual move to the main roster or an NXT title reign…bro.
Doug: Matt Riddle
Regardless of who wins, I expect this to challenge Cole vs Gargano for match of the night. If Dream is sticking around in NXT, I think some good old-fashioned heel tactics would be a good way for him to retain. I think the “King of Bros” wins the match, but I’m not sure he’ll get the North American Championship.
Pete Dunne vs WALTER (WWE United Kingdom Championship match)
Jay: WALTER
I fully expect this to be an incredible, hard hitting match with WALTER slightly outclassing Pete Dunne. With that being said, I could easily see Dunne being called up to the main roster, appearing on the episode of Raw after Wrestlemania. Give the ball to WALTER and allow him to continue to build credibility into that championship.
Caden: WALTER
Pete Dunne has done a phenomenal job as WWE United Kingdom Champion. He has helped build the NXT UK brand into something special, and that shouldn’t be forgotten. However, all good things must come to an end. WALTER is a well known figure, and if anyone is worthy enough of dethroning Dunne, it’s him. WALTER will end Dunne’s historic reign, thus signaling a new era for NXT UK.
Eron: WALTER
Dunne has done a fantastic job representing the NXT UK brand and with a 680+ day title reign. He has given the brand and title a level of legitimacy that no one could have anticipated. But, with all that being said, it is time for the story to end and a new chapter to be written with a new champion. WALTER goes over.
Doug: WALTER
It’s been an amazing run for Pete Dunne as the UK Champion, but if you had to go out to someone, you go out to WALTER at NXT’s biggest event. With his reign standing at over 680 days, I think it’s about time that the brand and Dunne both move on. Whether Dunne sticks around overseas to get a few people over or if he comes up to main roster, I think his time is up and WALTER’s time is now.
Io Shirai vs Shayna Baszler vs Bianca Belair vs Kairi Sane (NXT Women’s Championship match)
Jay: Bianca Belair
Her work ethic, beautiful looks, outstanding body, consistent improvements & athleticism will get her a win here. I think Shayna Baszler heads up to the main roster to start a feud with Asuka, and Bianca Belair was within a fingernail of defeating Baszler a couple of months ago. I feel like Io Shirai and Kairi Sane are better off in a tag team together.
Caden: Bianca Belair
I started to believe in Bianca Belair during NXT TakeOver: Phoenix. Belair turned all of us into believers in her loss to the champion that night. I believe Shayna’s time in NXT is coming to an end to make room for new talent. Belair will come out on top in this match. As for Shirai and Sane, expect them to come together as a tag team in the women’s division soon.
Eron: Shayna Baszler
I’m not quite sure what the story is here. Seems like it was a match thrown together for the heck of it, and I’m not mad about it at all. I’m sure this match will be fantastic, but it’s probably the one I’m least invested in. I see Shayna holding onto the title until the summer.
Doug: Bianca Belair
This is a tough one, but I think Baszler will leave NXT soon. Sane has had her chance and Shirai seems to be too early. I think the “EST” will stand tall, but it’s a coin toss for me. With other potential babyface moments on other parts of the card, Baszler could very well retain to stick around while Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir develop further.
Johnny Gargano vs Adam Cole (2-out-of-3 falls match for NXT Championship)
Jay: Johnny Gargano
Should be an amazing match with “Johnny Wrestling” taking the win. He needs the moment & this is it. I expect Undisputed Era to appear on Smackdown Live swiftly to start a rivalry with The New Day or The Usos.
Caden: Johnny Gargano
This is Johnny Gargano‘s moment. Even if the lack of Ciampa makes the outcome a bit unsatisfying to me, I am still looking forward to the coronation of Gargano. I could see a shock with Adam Cole winning, but this event has been building to the triumph of “Johnny Wrestling” for a long time. If Gargano fails to win, it could be one of NXT’s biggest blunders.
Eron: Adam Cole
This match all the tools to be the best match of the year. I’m very interested to see the layout of the match and falls. This match obviously was thrown together because of the injury to Tommaso Ciampa, so I really don’t know who walks out Champion in this one. My decision relies mostly on the fact that NXT is so babyface dominated and a heel champion makes more sense. Adam Cole wins here.
Doug: Johnny Gargano
Although it should have been Gargano vs Ciampa, I think the result remains the same. Cole will more than likely get the first pin, making Gargano having to fight from behind, but I think both of them should get a fall early, so we can get to those glorious false finishes. I expect some shenanigans from the rest of Undisputed Era, but Gargano will prevail.