An Oldnerd Needs To Get These Takeover Predictions In Because It’s On A Friday

Good luck stealing this weekend, NXT.

This is one of those rare occasions where the NXT event is looking to be overshadowed by the WWE event. With the injury in the main event, an underwhelming midcard belt build, and a UK match I don’t have much backstory for, Mania’s definitely going to outshine here. Well, parts of it will.

United Kingdom Championship Match: Pete Dunne vs. WALTER

I haven’t had the time/energy to stay caught up on NXT UK, partly because it’s another hour a week, and partly because, well, it’s a bunch of white dudes with beards I can’t keep track of. But I know this - as much as I love Pete Dunne, it’s time for him to drop the belt, and Walter’s the guy he’s gonna drop it to. I hope this means Dunne shows up somewhere else, with bigger and better things. 

North American Championship Match: Velveteen Dream vs. Matt Riddle

Dream’s reign is very young, and Riddle needs a title right now like he apparently needs shoes in the ring. Dream will retain and the match will be a hoot.

Fatal Four-way for the NXT Women’s Championship: Shayna Baszler vs. Bianca Belair vs. Kairi Sane vs. Io Shirai

This is a tough one. Io Shirai stood tall on the go-home NXT, so she won’t be winning it. Kairi Sane doesn’t need to take the belt off Baszler again. Baszler could retain, but I think the last match was setting up a Belair victory. I think she pins a not-Baszler for the title, then faces Baszler in a rematch and beats her one on one. 

NXT Tag Team Championship Match: War Raiders vs. Aleister Black and Ricochet

Given that Black and Ricochet are essentially full callups to both brands and in the title picture on both shows, I don’t see them winning here. War Raiders keep the belts and move on to probably another Undisputed Era feud.

2-out-of-3 Falls Match for the NXT Championship: Johnny Gargano vs. Adam Cole

This was always going to be the coronation of Johnny Gargano. And while it can’t coincide with the end of his epic story with Tommasso Ciampa thanks to Ciampa’s neck surgery, the coronation is still going to happen NXT Champion Johnny Gargano.