Okay, here’s my predictions for Takeover tonight.
Johnny Gargano vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas
I love both these wrestlers, and honestly, I think both should have moved up to main already. As it stands, I think this could end up being a great match, with both wrestlers looking strong, and with good back and forth.
Who will win – Johnny Gargano
What should happen – I think if Almas loses, he needs to move up to main as a heel within the next two to three months. He’s too good a talent, and I think he’s ready—and he doesn’t need a manager/valet. He is good on his own merits. Trinidad needs to join the NXT Women’s division.
Aleister Black vs. Hideo Itami
This match has the makings to be the match of the night. Both of these wrestlers are known for their hard strikes and martial arts/MMA style moves. Lately, Itami has been on a bit of a losing streak and really needs the win, so that he moves back to dominating form. Black is an amazing monster of a wrestler, who has been plowing through opponents left and right. I don’t want to see him lose, but tonight is his first loss, Itami is the formidable opponent.
Who will win – Aleister Black
What should happen – I would love to see a draw by double count out in this match. I would love to see their match leave them so beaten and worn, that they are basically too exhausted to continue. It would leave both looking very strong and could set up a rematch down the road.
The Authors of Pain (c) vs. SAnitY
I absolutely love Sanity. They are my favorite faction in the WWE right now and want them to move to main with a quickness. I know they haven’t tasted tag belts yet, but honestly, I wouldn’t be upset if they never got to hold the NXT tag belts, because I really would love to see them show up on Smackdown Live this coming Tuesday or whenever Fashion Files comes back. Also, I could see Sanity being a faction that is brandless. What I mean is, I can see them showing up on whatever show they want, and going after whatever titles they see fit.
Who will win – Authors of Pain
What should happen – Sanity should win the belts, on the next NXT, they should enter the ring, and announce that now that they have won the belts, they will be moving on to the next step of their plan to disrupt the WWE title scene. Thereby, dropping the belts and moving up to main.
Asuka (c) vs. Ember Moon
I am hardcore marks for both of these women. Along with Nicki Cross, these are two of the top three women in NXT today, with Ruby Riot coming on strong. Regardless of who wins this match, I will be happy with either being champ. That being said, for Asuka to lose the belt now story wise would be extremely stupid creatively. I know they tried to set up Asuka being afraid to take the Eclipse from Ember the last time they fought, as the Eclipse is one of the most devastating finishers in wrestling today. I just think story wise (and deservedly so) Asuka should stay undefeated. Ember has worked her way to deserving the belt, but for me personally, after Asuka vacates the title.
Who will win – Ember Moon
What should happen – Asuka should win the match and show up on the next NXT taping, saying that no one in the NXT Women’s division is ready for Asuka. Then all of a sudden Stephanie McMahon’s music hits, and out she comes to shocks, boos, and applause. McMahon, who is head of the Women’s division offers Asuka a chance to move up to main. After Stephanie gives Asuka her big selling pitch, Asuka accepts and vacates the belt. Thereby announcing to the WWE universe that Asuka is headed to main, and putting all the women of the main roster on notice. Also, if you do it this way, with hopefully Sanity moving up at the same time, you could slowly work on an eventual rematch between Asuka and Nicki Cross for a pay per view.
After Asuka leaves, William Regal would announce that a tournament will take place to determine the new NXT Women’s champion. This tournament would be a G1-style tournament, with wrestlers already on the NXT roster, and wrestlers from the Mae Young classic, who have signed with the WWE. There would be a group A and B, with the wrestlers in each wrestling each other at least once. Each win gives three points, each draw is one point and a loss rewards no points. At the end of the round-robin phase, the wrestlers with the top two scores in each group would face each other in the semifinals, with the winners of each match facing each other in the finals at the next big NXT pay per view. There could be so many great matches and stories told during that tourney.
Bobby Roode (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
Honestly, this is the match that I am anticipating the least, and it’s mostly because I am ready for Roode to move up to main. As it stands, right now in NXT (in my opinion) Roode is one step away from becoming a Lesnar style champion, and frankly, he’s better than that. He’s fire on the mic as a heel, and he is an above-average wrestler. He would make a great addition to the main roster that is so starved for good heels, that they are trying to manufacture heels out of wrestlers who should stay face.
Drew McIntyre has been on fire since returning to the WWE and NXT. He is a very good wrestler, who has honed his championship ways in other promotions, and he is ready and more than able to be a competent champion. I want him to win the belt. Especially after his match with Strong on this week’s NXT, McIntyre has more than shown that he is a majorly strong contender for the belt. His in-ring work during that match was top-notch, regardless of whether he won or lost.
Who will win – Bobby Roode
What should happen – Drew McIntyre, after a surprise run in from Rodrick Strong.
Well, there you go…my predictions for tonight. I just wanna say, I’d love to see Adam Cole show up at Takeover, finally announcing that he’s joined the WWE. Also, I’d love to have him start a new faction within the WWE. We need more factions in the WWE. True, we have Titus Worldwide brand, New Day (mini faction / new Freebirds) and Sanity, but we need more. I think Adam Cole could usher in another amazing faction.
