Rasslin’ Roundtable for NXT Takeover: Chicago

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Tonight is NXT Takeover: Chicago!

Here is the Pulse Wrestling crew’s full match previews and predictions:

NXT Championship
Aleister Black (c) vs. Lars Sullivan

JT – I’ve been enjoying Black’s run as champ, and it seems highly unlikely that the beast with the big hands will be able to take the belt away from him. Taking that into account, Sullivan has been putting on some good performances lately, so this has the potential to be a decent match.
Winner: Aleister Black

JZ – Much too soon for Black to drop the title and Lars isn’t ready.
Winner: Aleister Black

Patt Kitt PK – Lars doesn’t seem like he is top of the NXT-material, and this is Blacks first defense. This is being overshadowed by the Street Fight and Dream/Ricochet, but I would anticipate this being.m a sneaky good match.
Winner: Aleister Black

Harrak: I love the beast they’ve created with Lars Sullivan but I can’t imagine Black losing the title in his first defense. Look for Black to squeak out a win or Sullivan being DQ’d. Either way, Black is leaving TakeOver still Champion.

Chicago Street Fight
Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa

JT – can anyone say ‘match of the night’? The former partners will tear it up and put on a top shelf performance – I just hope that both of them can walk away after the match without injury. I see the Sicilian Psychopath going over to continue the feud.
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa

JZ – Seems like it’s time to put this feud to bed. Gargano v Black in Brooklyn please.
Winner: Johnny Gargano

PK – This is the potential match of the night and year. One of these guys will be in line for the title shot in Brooklyn, my guess is Ciampa gets the win back, and challenges Black later this summer.
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa

Harrak: Easily the most anticipated match of the night, Gargano and Ciampa are primed to steal the show once again. I can’t see how this feud can go any further than this but I feel Ciampa has the most to gain with a win. Gargano is ready for the main roster, it just depends on if a NXT title run is in his future.


NXT Women’s Championship
Shayna Baszler (c) vs. Nikki Cross
JT – while I like both Baszler and Cross in the ring, this rivalry hasn’t done much to pique my interest, so this seems likely to be my bathroom break.
Winner: Shayna Baszler

JZ – Shayna is having a nice little run as the Champion so it doesn’t seem prudent to take the title off her just yet.
Winner: Shayna Baszler

PK – Both of these women seem ready for the main roster right now. Nikki gets a well deserved title win here, and they have a rematch in Brooklyn.
Winner: Nikki Cross

Harrak: At least we know why Nikki Cross wasn’t called up with Sanity. That said, Sanity hasn’t debuted & they may be waiting for their psychotic sister to join them on SmackDown. Cross is a strong contender and a great way to showcase Baszler’s dominance. Blaszler retains.


NXT Tag Team Championship
The Undisputed Era (Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong) (c) vs. Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch

JT – I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; Oney Lorcan can’t catch a break. Teaming up with fellow ‘ugly yet tough’ guy Danny Burch probably won’t help this situation, particularly against the indie fury of The Undisputed Era.
Winners: The Undisputed Era

JZ – Undisputed Era should have a nice long run with the titles. They’re at least holding the through the UK shows.
Winner: Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong

PK – The Brit-Am Bruisers are glorified jobbers (unfortunately). This is the match I am most confident in my choice.
Winners: Undisputed Era

Harrak: While Lorcan & Burch is a fun team but NXT is the Undisputed Era’s house at the moment. O’Reilly & Strong need a stellar showcase now that Strong has taken over fully for Bobby Fish. This match may be the sleeper hit of TakeOver.


Ricochet vs. Velveteen Dream
JT – here we have one of the most innovative high-flyers in the world against a guy who just can’t seem to land a gimmick, and the guy who was raised in WWE looks like he has the best chance of winning. Still, one can always hope…
Winner: Ricochet

JZ – Ricochet needs the win more here. Dream can come back from a loss more easily.
Winner: Ricochet

PK – One day Dream will win a higher profile feud. Today will not be the day.
Winner: Ricochet

Harrak: I called Strong/O’Reilly-Lorcan/Burch the sleeper of the night because I think expectations are high for Ricochet/Dream. Dream has blown away critics each & every time he’s stepped into a TakeOver ring and Ricochet is simply Ricochet. These two men as capable of creating magic in an NXT wing and I’m excited to see what they have in store for Saturday.

Jonathan Widro is the owner and founder of Inside Pulse. Over a decade ago he burst onto the scene with a pro-WCW reporting style that earned him the nickname WCWidro. Check him out on Twitter for mostly inane non sequiturs