Hello, it’s me TWB, and I’m here with my NXT Takeover: New Orleans predictions, what a show we have ahead of us, a new champion will be crowned, a close to a year long-rivalry will be concluded and an undefeated challenger will look to topple the NXT Champion.
NXT Tag Team Championship: Undisputed Era vs Authors of Pain vs Pete Dunne and Roderick Strong (Winners get the Dusty Rhodes Classic Trophy)
So in the final of the Dusty Rhodes Classic, Authors of Pain took on the unlikely pairing of Dunne and Strong, however Cole and O’Reilly interfered, and general manager William Regal, made a triple threat tag team match for Takeover, with both the NXT Tag Titles and the Dusty Rhodes Classic Trophy on the line. As far as I know, Adam Cole will be pulling double duty, as Undisputed Era brethren Bobby Fish is out with a knee injury. So the placement of this match is an interesting one, if this match goes on before Cole’s ladder match, then I expect Undisputed Era to win, however, if this match is after, then I think we’ll see new champions. But as I’m sure everybody knows by now, I’m an Adam Cole fan, so I’ll stick with my heart and my heart says The Undisputed Era
Winners and Still Champions – Undisputed Era
NXT Women’s Championship: Shayna Baszler vs Ember Moon
In a rematch from NXT Takeover: Philadelphia, the champion Ember Moon is once again defending her title against the dangerous Shayna Baszler. Now I was surprised when Moon defeated the former MMA star back in January, but I’m not expecting the same result this time round. Personally, I think it’s time for Ember to move to the main roster, as there’s a lack of faces on both Raw and Smackdown, and perhaps a showing in the Wrestlemania Women’s Battle Royal will give her a good start on the main roster. As for Baszler let’s have Candice LeRae, be her first challenger.
Winner and New Champion – Shayna Baszler
NXT North American Championship Ladder Match: Adam Cole vs EC3 vs Ricochet vs Lars Sullivan vs Killian Dain vs Velveteen Dream
This ought to be an absolute barnburner, and I think this match could steal Wrestlemania weekend. On the March 28th episode of NXT, William Regal announced that a new mid-card title will be on the line for the first time in a ladder match at Takeover. EC3 will be making his Takeover in-ring debut as will Ricochet, the other participants have all had the exposure to Takeover’s, but this is still arguably their biggest chance to shine. Now I expect Ricochet to be doing some insane spots throughout this match, and show he is the “future of flight” and has the potential to be one of the best high flyers of all time. As for EC3, I know very little about him, I’ve never watched any of his matches in TNA, however from what I’ve read he seems to be an exciting prospect. Lars Sullivan is the wildcard as I don’t expect him to climb the ladder too often, however, I expect him to use the ladder as a weapon throughout the match. Velveteen Dream is one of NXT’s most intriguing characters and I think he’ll get to show his character and his in-ring skills in this match, but he won’t be walking out the champion. I don’t see Killian Dain winning either, even though he’s received a singles push as of late and seemingly taken a step away from SAnity. Then it’s Mr Double Duty, Adam Cole, who may have already had a match earlier in the night, and as awesome as it’ll be having Cole as a double champion and having two matches on future Takeovers I doubt he’ll win. So my pick is Ricochet, it seems WWE is putting all their eggs in his basket, and having him as champion and a regular feature on NXT, having constantly solid matches is what’s best for business.
Winner and Champion – Ricochet
Unsanctioned Match: Johnny Gargano vs Tommaso Ciampa
This will steal the whole Wrestlemania Weekend, for almost two years I’ve wanted to see this match when the two former best friends will clash once again. At NXT Takeover: Chicago, the biggest heel turn in NXT history happened, as Ciampa brutally assaulted Gargano, sadly Ciampa was injured during the ladder match, that preceded his heel turn, but absence makes the heart grow fonder, and Ciampa’s return to NXT by once again attacking Gargano at NXT Takeover: Philadelphia, made everyone excited to finally see this match happen. After costing Gargano a final shot against Almas and forcing him to leave NXT, Ciampa thought he’d got rid of his old ally, but the support for Johnny Wrestling continued and he would return and attack Ciampa from the crowd. Then just last week, William Regal announced that Johnny Gargano will face Tommaso Ciampa in a unsanctioned match, and if Gargano wins he gets his job back, but if he loses he remains fired. So what will happen? The underdog, Gargano should realistically win and it’ll be a great way to end a great feud, but he won’t win, Ciampa will once again and for the final time brutalise Gargano, and this will lead to two things, one Ciampa will enter the NXT Title picture and as for Gargano, I see him moving to the main roster after Wrestlemania, and hopefully become one of the biggest babyfaces in WWE
Winner – Tommaso Ciampa
NXT Championship: Aleister Black vs Andrade “Cien” Almas w/Zelina Vega
The undefeated challenger (in singles matches) vs the reformed champion, ought to be another great match. Almas is the most improved wrestler in NXT in 8 months and the addition of Vega has made him go from a jobber to champion. However, I think his 5-month title reign will end, at the hands of Aleister Black. NXT has built Black as an unstoppable monster and I will be shocked if a year’s worth of hype and build will come to a crashing halt.
Winner and new champion – Aleister Black
There is my NXT Takeover: New Orleans predictions, hope you enjoy the show and enjoy the whole of Wrestlemania weekend.
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