Tonight is NXT Takeover: Chicago! Here is the Pulse Wrestling crew’s full match by match preview with predictions:
NXT Championship Match
Bobby Roode (c) vs. Hideo Itami
JT – While I like Itami in the ring, he’s been lacking a certain something since his return. He’s also looked dominant over Roode on a couple of occasions, which suggests to me that the glorious one might be holding on to the big gold strap for a little longer.
Winner: Bobby Roode
Michael – I think it is too early to take the belt off Roode just yet. Even though Itami has been getting the best of Roode, I think Roode takes this one by shenanigans and their story will go on.
Winner: Bobby Roode
PK – Itami seems like his a placeholder #1 contender. It seems pretty clear that there is plans for Roode & McIntyre down the road, and this is pit stop for Roode.
Winner: Bobby Roode
JZ – I’m hoping Roode has a nice long reign, and I don’t see Itami having enough momentum to usurp him here.
Winner: Bobby Roode
Widro – It will be Glorious to see Bobby Roode retain the title.
Winner: Roode
NXT Women’s Championship Triple Threat Match
Asuka (c) vs. Ruby Riot vs. Nikki Cross
JT – for some reason I thought Ember Moon was in this match, but then again I’m a couple of weeks behind on NXT so many things could have changed. This should be a fun match, if a little sloppy at times based on the recent brawls between Riot and Cross. While I can’t see Asuka hanging around in NXT for too much longer, I’d be surprised if the venom between Riot and Cross doesn’t result in Asuka picking up the win.
Winner: Asuka
Michael – Do they finally take the belt off Asuka here? I would love to say no and have her continue to dominate. But this match, even without Ember Moon, has a whole lot of crazy. I’m not sure, but I will take a guess
Winner: Nikki Cross (new champ)
PK – Neither of the contenders seem ready to take the NXT Woman’s division, but this should be a great match with 3 great workers. Asuka holds on to the belt, and I do not see her losing it until Ember Moon is back.
Winner: Asuka
JZ – Seems like they’re building to Ember Moon being the one to dethrone Asuka, so this looks like a placeholder title defense.
Winner: Asuka
Widro – Asuka’s streak to rival Goldberg shall continue.
Winner: Asuka
NXT Tag Team Championship Ladder Match
The Authors of Pain (c) vs. #DIY
JT – I have to say that putting a couple of green behemoths like the Authors of Pain in a ladder match seems like a recipe for a Joey Mercury style disaster. DIY will carry the match and hopefully pick up the win, but I smell interference from another big man tag team. Could it be Heavy Machinery or the surprise debut of War Machine?
Winners: DIY
Michael – I am not sure the reason for this match is anything but to give the belts back to #DIY. Why? Well, the Authors still sort of stink and DIY is the only team that has made them look decent. I say that NXT throws the ans a bone and have DIY take back the titles. And then, Vince will call up the Authors because WWE.
Winner: #DIY (new champs)
PK – Reguardless of Ciampa’s status, I think the AoP was going to win this match. If Ciampa can not go, it would be cool to see a one-night partnership with Scott Dawson & Johnny Gargano. #DIY should be the inaugural Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions (also, there should be a Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship).
Winners: Authors of Pain
JZ – The ladder stipulation seems to benefit #DIY, but I think it’s a way to throw us off. Authors of Pain aren’t ready to drop the belts yet.
Winners: Paul Ellering’s Authors of Pain
Widro – Won’t be as good without the Revival but still could be a strong match.
Winners: Authors of Pain
WWE United Kingdom Championship Match
Tyler Bate (c) vs. Pete Dunne
JT: Prepare for some old-school British wrestling as two pale, slightly pudgy blokes put on a technical clinic and the American crowd watch with confusion and growing boredom.
Winner: Tyler Bate
Michael – I don’t know. Like really don’t know. I’ve never seen either of these guys in the ring.
Winner: Tyler Bate
PK – This is the match I am looking forward to the most. With the UK show coming up, this might be a huge night for Bate & Dunne. The question is, who starts the weekly show the champ, face or heel. As we all know, it is much more entertaining when the heel is the champ.
Winner – Pete Dunne
JZ – This match should be amazing. I love Dunne, but I think Bate will be the man carrying the title until the weekly show gets off the ground.
Winner: Tyler Bate
Widro – Great to see these guys get on a big show.
Winner: Bate
Eric Young vs Roderick Strong
JT: So now that Tye Dillinger is gone, EY wants to recruit the super-straight Roddy Strong into the dress-up club he calls Sanity? Based on the amount of video time Strong has received in the past month, I can’t see him jobbing here.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Michael – I know they are trying to give Strong a personality, but I still don’t think it has clicked with the audience. He can deliver in the ring though. I expect a solid match with Strong going over, well, strong.
Winner: Roderick Strong
PK – EY hasn’t been the worst thing in NXT, like I originally feared. The numbers game will get the best of Roddy, and EY will win.
Winner: Eric Young
JZ – Sanity is in dangerous Wyatt-esque territory, as it seems that their only reason for attacking anyone is that it’s just their turn to feud. Strong ha been built up as a major sympathetic character, and he just lost a #1 Contender’s match to Hideo Itami, so he needs the win here.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Widro – Two of my least faves
Winner: Strong
