This Saturday, NXT hosts its first TakeOver special since TakeOver: Brooklyn II back in August. After three months, we head into Toronto, which is the first time the brand hosts a live special in Canada. It will be a big night for the developmental brand, featuring title defenses for the NXT, Women’s, and Tag Team Championships, a battle between “Glorious” and the “Perfect 10,” as well as the finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Tye Dillinger vs. Bobby Roode
Tye Dillinger and Bobby Roode teamed up to enter the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, and in the first round they were pitted against the new team of SAnitY. Bobby Roode wanted nothing to do with the bizarre team, so he left Tye Dillinger by himself to get assaulted by Saywer Fulton and Alexander Wolfe. Roode keeps trying to spin it so this was Dillinger’s fault, but the Perfect 10 is not having it. At TakeOver, Dillinger has a chance to get back at Roode.
Prediction:
Bobby Roode debuted at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II, so this is only his second major match in the company. Tye Dillinger has been a trooper for NXT, and certainly his time is coming. However, Bobby Roode has the star power to immediately get pushed into the main event scene, and this win can push him closer to being the next challenger for the NXT Championship. Winner: Bobby Roode
TM61 vs. The Authors of Pain – Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals
TM61 came into NXT with the hype that they were one of the best tag teams in the world. Unfortunately, they didn’t really connect with the audience at first and were left in the shadows of The Revival and DIY. Their journey through the Dusty Classic showed that not only are Nick Miller and Shane Thorne a good team, but that they are also one of the best teams NXT has to offer.
Their opponents, on the other hand, have not lost a match. The Authors of Pain have beaten teams like DIY, No Way Jose and Rich Swann, and many, many more. TM61 seems just to be another team to add to the list of teams they have dominated.
Prediction:
At this point, The Authors of Pain have proved that they are one of the most dominant teams in NXT history. No matter how this match goes, that won’t be disputed afterwards. However, if TM61 loses, they could be seen as a flash in the pan. The Australians need this win to live up to the hype, and there is no better way to get it than to give The Authors of Pain their first loss. Winners: TM61
The Revival (c) vs. DIY – NXT Tag Team Championships (2 out of 3 Falls Match)
While The Authors of Pain are undefeated, it is hard to argue against the claim that The Revival is the best tag team in NXT history. They are the only team to win the NXT Championships twice, and have beaten teams from American Alpha to even the Vaudevillains. They beat DIY at TakeOver: Brooklyn, but thanks to Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder screwing them over in the Dusty Classic, DIY has gotten another chance at the gold.
Prediction:
The Revival have been such a good team that they can’t progress staying in NXT. Raw is desperate for new tag teams, since no one seems to be credible enough to dethrone the New Day. The Revival should drop the belts to DIY, and help create a breath of fresh air in the tag team divisions of NXT and Raw. Winners, and NEW NXT Tag Team Champions: DIY
Asuka (c) vs. Mickie James – NXT Women’s Championship
This is one of those moments in 2016 that is hard to believe. Mickie James has held the WWE Women’s Championship several times, and then she went to TNA to win the Knockouts Championship multiple times as well. With Asuka seemingly having no believable challenges in the current roster, William Regal had to call in James and make this dream match a reality.
Prediction:
Since women like Peyton Royce, Ember Moon, and Liv Morgan aren’t ready to face the undefeated Asuka believably yet, it makes sense for Mickie James to challenge Asuka for the title while the rest of the division is being built. This is clearly a move to make Asuka (somehow) more credible as a champion, since she will get a victory over one of the most decorated female wrestlers of the last decade. Winner, and STILL NXT Women’s Champion: Asuka
Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Samoa Joe – NXT Championship
At TakeOver: Brooklyn II, Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Samoa Joe to win the NXT Championship, and Joe has been relentless trying to get it back. The former champion even went as far as injuring Nakamura to hope that the no-compete clause would force the King of Strong Style to vacate the championship. However, Nakamura returned sooner than expected, and Samoa Joe gets his rematch in Toronto.
Prediction:
NXT has gone through a rhythm with their NXT Champions. After they lose the title, they lose their rematch and then move up to the main roster. This has happened with Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Finn Balor over the last year and a half. It is clear that Nakamura is the face (and the main draw) of NXT, and Joe deserves his spot on the main roster. Also, this would help my Bobby Roode theory from earlier. Winner, and STILL NXT Champion: Shinsuke Nakamura
