NXT TakeOver: Phoenix Preview and Predictions
Like every other TakeOver, this event looks just as stacked. Check out my preview and winner predictions below!
It’s time for another TakeOver, which means more drama and more excitement than we know what to do with. Being the first NXT special of the year, the guys and girls on the card have a lot to live up to from the final event of last year and will be setting the pace for this year’s lineup. With that being said, we do always say that TakeOver’s have a lot to live up to, and they always do that and more.
All the NXT- branded titles will be on the line this weekend (sorry, Pete Dunne). This should make for some interesting matches and outcomes. Let’s get right into it and delve into the five matches scheduled for this Saturday.
Matt Riddle vs Kassius Ohno
Their first match together actually came upon us by surprise at NXT TakeOver: War Games when Kassius Ohno confronted Riddle in the opening promo of the show. They had a match that only lasted a few second, as Riddle laid out Ohno and pinned him in quick fashion. This time around, with both men knowing they have a match coming, we should expect some fireworks between the two.
Riddle’s unique nuances and personality traits have caught the attention and adoration of NXT fans rapidly. He acts flamboyant and clueless at times, but when the bell rings and his matches begin, you see his MMA background on display right away. Ohno, on the other hand, has spent a few years in NXT now, his second run with the brand, and has taken the approach as a gatekeeper to the main event scene. A lot of newly signed talent in NXT have had their run ins with Ohno and have had to move that obstacle before jumping higher up the card. He’s 39 years old and his prime in wrestling is certainly behind him, but he still has the capability to put on good matches and this will be yet another one on Saturday.
Let’s also not forget that Keith Lee may make his presence known in this match as well. Matt Riddle’s buddy was defeated by Kassius Ohno a couple weeks ago on NXT TV, albeit not cleanly. Lee could come out to interfere and help his friend defeat their mutual foe, or maybe Lee turns on Riddle? Either possibility is certainly possible, but I’m expecting Riddle to pick this win up and ride this wave of momentum he’s had since his debut.
Prediction: Matt Riddle wins
NXT Tag Team Championship Match: Undisputed Era vs War Raiders
Raymond Rowe’s partner, Hanson, reportedly suffered broken ribs and a ruptured spleen in their War Games match back in November. Either that’s not true or Hanson just couldn’t care less, because the War Raiders are set up for a wild tag team titles match come Saturday. The War Raiders have not exactly found their footing in NXT and gained popularity like they did in Ring of Honor, but their talent is undeniable nonetheless.
Meanwhile, the Undisputed Era have had the complete opposite rise in NXT. They’ve had the backing of the NXT Universe since their debut as a stable under Adam Cole. They’ve put on classic after classic at TakeOver events, whether it be tag title matches or Adam Cole going it alone. It’s also still not clear who is going to represent the faction in the match, as all four have participated in a tag team match for the group before. The usual tandems do not include Adam Cole, though, as it’s normally a revolving door of Kyle O’Reilly, Bobby Fish, and Roderick Strong in the matches. However, the Undisputed Era are the standard heels and have been for a while, so don’t be surprised if you see them break out a few tricks.
This is a hard match to call, as the Undisputed Era held the tag team gold on two occasions in 2018 that added up to nearly the entire year. It’s hard to bet against the team that has carried the tag division for the past year. At the same time, the War Raiders are clearly talented enough to capture the championships. A win for them would also cement themselves as truly important figures in NXT. However, like I said, the Undisputed Era have carried the division this long and I’m not sure if anyone is quite ready to overtake them.
Prediction: Undisputed Era win
NXT North American Championship Match: Ricochet vs Johnny Gargano
The old saying goes that where you see smoke, you see fire as well. That is definitely the case when it comes to the quickly intensifying rivalry between Ricochet and Johnny Gargano. Ricochet is coming off of a win in the War Games structure and Johnny Gargano met defeat at the hands of Aleister Black just hours before that, yet here we are. How did we get here?
Well, this match was actually suggested by NXT champion Tommaso Ciampa. Their very short reuniting to take out Aleister Black in a steel cage has resulted in Ciampa pushing for Gargano to capture a title while he is busy being the main event of TakeOvers. For some reason, Johnny actually listened to his arch rival and put his sights on the NXT North American champion. As we know, Ricochet is NXT’s resident superhero, and he would never back down from a challenge. So, here we are, ready to see Johnny Takeover go at it again with a new dance partner this time around.
Johnny made quite a statement to Ricochet a couple weeks ago on NXT TV when he superkicked the hell out of Ricochet and laid him out, sending a message that Gargano was not playing around with this match. As crazy as it sounds, Gargano has still not managed to capture some sort of singles title in his NXT tenure. Could this finally be his moment?
Prediction: Johnny Gargano wins
NXT Women’s Championship Match: Shayna Baszler vs Bianca Belair
On the heels of her amazing trio of matches with Kairi Sane, the Queen of Spades is now faced with a new challenge. This challenge is the “un-de-fea-ted” Bianca Belair.
Unlike her previous foe, Bianca Belair is not a proven name from the indies. She is one of WWE’s homegrown talent, but she’s been improving in leaps and bounds over the past year. In stark contrast to Kairi’s stiffer style, Belair is more about charisma and a flashy move set. It will also be interesting to see how that style works with Baszlers more aggressive, dominance- oriented style.
Some wondered if Bianca Belair could quickly adapt to having the spotlight on her when this match became official, but a couple weeks ago she slapped Shayna right across the face. That definitely wiped away all doubt I had, and likely many others too.
Though we should expect a good match between the two, I wouldn’t be betting on a clean finish. It’s almost a certainty that we’ll see an appearance from Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke at some point if they don’t enter the ring with her.
Although the likely favorite to win the match is Baszler, it’s hard to bet against Belair at this point. With her undefeated streak on the line and Baszler’s likely plans to be called to the main roster soon, it makes this match just a little more unpredictable, which I love. Also, it’s not entirely unfathomable that we see one or both of these ladies 24 hours later in the Royal Rumble match.
Prediction: Bianca Belair wins
NXT Championship Match: Tommaso Ciampa vs Aleister Black
This match could have gone on with no build and the fans in attendance would have still been hanging on every movement of these two. We know exactly why they’re here and we know just how great these two are. Aleister Black is out for blood, and he’s looking to bring it out of his cocky adversary, Tommaso Ciampa.
Ciampa’s NXT title win seemed to come out of nowhere when he knocked off Aleister Black in the summer of 2018. Nevertheless, here we are, about half a year later, and Ciampa has had an exceptional run with “goldie” as he calls it. But, that title run is in jeopardy, as Aleister Black finally has a one on one rematch for the NXT title.
Ciampa won the title off of Black last July on NXT TV with the accidental help of Johnny Gargano, who also wound up being the mystery attacker of Black over the summer as well. Black dispatched of Johnny Wrestling at NXT TakeOver: War Games, but had a rematch in a steel cage match that he lost due to help from Ciampa. The #DIY reunion rumors gained plenty of traction following that event, but both have constantly denied it. They once again met on the go- home show for TakeOver where Gargano and Ciampa helped each other nail the final blow before their title matches on their respective opponents, Ricochet and Black.
The Sicilian Psychopath better hope he is prepared for Saturday, as Aleister Black is likely to be as pissed off as he’s ever been. We saw in November how intense Black can be. If he does it again at TakeOver, we may have a new champion. However, Ciampa has been champion this long for a reason. Don’t be surprised if he’s got a few tricks up his sleeve.
