NXT: Takeover Brooklyn II is tonight! Here is the Pulse Wrestling crew’s full preview and predictions.
NXT Title
Samoa Joe (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
CB: This should be the best match of the entire weekend. Nakamura takes it so Joe can move on to bigger and better things on the main roster.
Winner: Nakamura
Brittney- Samoka Joe and Shinsuke Nakamura have been amazing in the build up to this match. Both men are loved by fans and both are playing their parts perfectly. (Am I the only one still giggling about the whole “got your nose” thing?) Any way you look at it this match will be awesome. I also think this will be Nakamura’s time to shine and further the feud with Samoa Joe.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Michael McMonigle – I think this will be the match of the weekend, without a doubt. From what I understand, this is the first match ever between these two men and I expect it to be fantastic. As much as Nakamura has been pushed, I can’t see Samoa Joe dropping the belt so soon after his quest to win it. However, if the WWE is panicking about their brand split, maybe they want Samoa Joe on the main rosters sooner rather than later. But I don’t think that is the case. I think Joe still has some battles with Aries, Roode, and Almas upcoming at least.
Winner: Samoa Joe
James Wright – This is a big test for NXT and where it is heading in the future. I think Nakamura deserves a title run before he inevitably gets swept up by the main roster, but the real question is whether in losing it will be a sign that Joe is being sent up. Like AJ Styles, Joe is a pre-made star, which is good for the current brand split and would help to pad out the roster. Then again we can’t underestimate the WWE’s general allergic-ness to outside talent getting over. On the other hand Styles is doing pretty well for himself and one thing that trumps pettiness is money, so I could see Joe going up, which would definitely open the door for Austin Aries, as well as the glorious rise of Bobby Roode! Whatever happens I’m sure it will be a great match, but I can’t see Joe stopping Shinsuke’s meteoric rise.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura (New Champion)
Lewis Michie: Man, I am so excited for this match. I don’t really care who wins, it will be awesome anyway. Shinsuke has got a nice undefeated streak going though so…
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Widro – Tough to say because I could see it going either way, going to go with Joe winning and/or non finish where Nakamura doesn’t end up with the belt.
Winner: Samoa Joe
NXT Women’s Title
Asuka (c) vs. Bayley
CB: Like Joe, it’s Bayley’s time to get called up to the main roster, Asuka takes it.
Winner: Asuka
Brittney- This one has a big question mark for me. If WWE plans on bringing Bayley up to the main roster this could be her swan song match. However, if they do that, who remains to challenge Asuka? If Asuka retains and Bayley moves up to Raw it’ll be bitter sweet as Bayley’s career has been built around her living her dream. A loss would be a nightmare to Bayley’s dream but a loss also means she can go on to her other dream – The Women’s Championship. And it will give the women on NXT a chance to step up and improve.
Winner:Asuka
Michael McMonigle – I think this match will be better than their first match-up, but ending with the same result. I also see Bailey unconscious again at the end of the match. Perhaps Bailey will get kayfabe knocked out by a high and hard Asuka kick to the head. It could even be that Bailey had control of the match, but Asuka got in a lucky shot and kept the belt. However it is done, I can’t see the WWE holding Bailey in NXT much longer. I would assume this is her send-off match.
Winner: Asuka
James Wright – I’m hoping these two will be looking to top their last match and take things to another level to compete with Nakamura and Joe. I can’t see Bayley getting a second run with the title when she seems bound for the main roster, but you never know. If Bayley is on her way out then I have no idea who will be able to step up next and take down the powerhouse that is Asuka, and right now I don’t think that anyone should.
Winner: Asuka
Lewis Michie: I feel like Bayley really does belong on the main roster now. Just like her fellow Japanese competitor (Nakamura), Asuka has been undefeated since coming to NXT, which is pretty impressive for how long she has been around. I don’t see that streak ending just yet, that privilege may go to a woman who needs it a little more than Bayley, a certain someone making her debut on this show.
Winner: Asuka
Widro – We keep thinking it, but Bayley needs to move up and not go back to being NXT champion.
Winner: Asuka
NXT Tag Team Titles
The Revival (c) vs. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa
Brittney- I want Ciampa and Gargano to win, if only because we’ve seen how great they can be against each other so I want them to get a win as a team now. The Revival have been unstoppable but we’ve seen Gargano and Ciampo post beating the crap out of each other pick up a win so maybe now they can pick up the win again.We can use the tesnion fueld sub-plot later.
Winner: Gargano & Ciampa
CB: Gargano and Ciampa have been on a huge roll, and I think it continues here.
Winners: Gargano and Ciampa
Michael McMonigle – I love The Revival. I think their old school heel tag team is great. I was all for them regaining the belts from American Alpha. However, I love Gargano and Ciampa as well. I think Ciampa is a superstar just waiting to burst into the mainstream, and I’ve come to appreciate Gargano more and more. With Gargano and Ciampa both making impressive showings in the Cruiserweight Classic, I think the timing is right to give them the belts for a while. It is time to raise their status in NXT and this match should do it. Plus, the #GLORIOUSBOMB compilations are just too good.
Winner: Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa
James Wright – After their singles match in the Cruiserweight Classic there has been a buzz around Gargano & Ciampa, not to mention they created those #GloriousBombs, which I find hilarious for some reason. I think they are the guys to take the titles off of the Revival, although I could see them losing and then splitting to become singles guys so who knows. The match should be great, but I’m also not sure they will get the belts this time around.
Winner: The Revival
Lewis Michie: This could go either way and I’d be happy. I’m really fascinated with the Revival potentially facing the Authors of Pain. Still both kinda of being bad guy teams, but the Revival being the clear team to root for. Without them actually really changing what they do. For that reason…
Winners: The Revival
Widro – Should be a really great in ring match.
Winners: The Revival
Bobby Roode vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas
CB: This will be the most GLORIOUS match of the entire weekend.
Winner: Bobby Roode
Brittney- Both men are great in the ring. Roode has a history of greatness and no one doubts Almas but I think, for this round, Roode will come out on top. It’ll be one of those proving ground matches that will enable the men to show off their skill and resilience. It’ll be a good match and it’ll end with Roode winning but only just barely.
Winner: Bobby Roode
Michael McMonigle – Even though he has had a cameo in two other events, this is Roode’s first match on an NXT pay per view. So you would think that he would go over here. However, I think they have big things in mind for Almas. And Bobby Roode is always great when he feels he’s been wronged in some way. I think they go for the upset here.
Winner: Andrade “Cien” Almas
James Wright – I still haven’t warmed to Almas after his initial outings against Tye Dillinger, and quite frankly I’d much rather be seeing Roode vs. Dillinger than this match right here. At least this way Roode should be able to have a glorious showcase and hopefully there is no upset. (Yeah I know, I’m bias as all hell)
Winner: Bobby Rooooooooo!
Lewis Michie: I mean come on…
Winner: Bobby Roode
Widro – Roode’s first big NXT match, doesn’t make sense to lose here.
Winner: Roode
Austin Aries vs. No Way Jose
CB: Aries turning heel has finally made him seem like he found his footing with the audience in NXT. Jose is showing some fire after being insulted by Aries, so I like this pairing. I think Aries wins, but it’s competitive.
Winner: Austin Aries
Brittney- Jose is an up & coming star and Aries can bring him up higher in the roster. Aries has an excellent track record of helping other talent get over and of putting on amazing matches. So while Jose was originally more of a comedy act I don’t expect to be laughing during this match. I expect to be sitting on the edge of my seat a little bit though.To help Jose move up he will need to pick up the win so we may see the, for all purposes, underdog pick up a win here. (Although, belive me, I don’t see Jose as an underdog really I just think a lot of people are expecting Aries to win.)
Winner: No Way Jose
Michael McMonigle – I still don’t care about No Way Jose. Maybe it is just me. I know this feud has given him a little bit of an edge instead of just smiling all the time, but I still just don’t care. And I don’t think winning here will change things. I know Aries was brought in to help younger wrestlers learn, etc, etc. But if he isn’t in line for the NXT title some point soon, I don’t know how you can even kayfabe justify that.
Winner: Austin Aries
James Wright – Like with Roode & Almas, I see a guy who has been a favourite of mine for years against a new guy that I don’t really care for. I can’t help but root for Aries and I will live in hope that he and Roode will reunite as the Dirty Heels once again, which could easily be achieved by facing Jose & Almas in a tag match down the road.
Winner: Austin Aries
Lewis Michie: Aries lost at the last takeover. Should Nakamura become champion, Aries is a good choice to face him for that title at some point, I’ve got no problem seeing them face off again.
Winner: Aries
Widro – Aries has been winning most of his matches, and is likely headed up to the main roster as part of the Cruiserweight Division, so I think we’ll see an upset
Winner: No Way Jose
Ember Moon vs. Billie Kaye
CB: Ember Moon will win, Maybe Billie Kaye can replace Eva in that SmackDown tag match or something.
Winner: Ember Moon
Brittney- This is a showcase of new talent and it is rare that we see new talent debut without picking up the win. With Billie Kaye complaining that she wasn’t on the card and drawing negative attention to herself she may, in the end, pay for it. By asking for a match she may have in fact asked for a loss on her record. I’m not too sure how great the match will be but it should be a good debut for Ember Moon all the same.
Winner: Ember Moon
Michael McMonigle – Ember Moon takes this one and makes a big impression while doing it. She will be the next big women’s star in NXT.
Winner: Ember Moon
James Wright – I have little to say about this one, I do like Billie Kaye’s blue satin look and Ember Moon will hopefully be a new force to challenge the undefeated Asuka. Apart from that this might be the first women’s match on an NXT PPV that I have little expectation for, I hope I am proved wrong.
Winner: Ember Moon
Lewis Michie: Same case as the Roode match, I mean come on, why would you beat her on her debut? Plus, as alluded to earlier, I think Ember Moon will eventually be the one to defeat Asuka.
Winner: Ember Moon
Widro – Hard to imagine Ember Moon losing here.
Winner: Ember Moon
