It’s about that time again. Time for the next NXT live special, the fifth one, NXT Takeover:Rival. It just seems not to long ago we saw Sami Zayn win the NXT Championship a while back. This special like the ones in the past have some interesting story-lines going on in the NXT Universe.
Baron Corbin Vs. Bull Dempsey (No-Disqualification Match)
Since the last NXT special, Corbin and Dempsey have been beating the hell out of each other. They have had official matches with Corbin taking both wins. Corbin is a guy I see as one of the next faces in the NXT title picture. He just took his first loss in the NXT Title Tournament to Adrian Neville due to a Dempsey interference. I see Corbin taking the win in an all out slugfest by these two.
Winner: Baron Corbin
Finn Balor Vs. Adrian Neville (#1 Contenders Match)
This is the conclusion match to the NXT World Title tournament. Finn Balor defeated his former partner Hideo Itami to get here, while Adrian Neville defeated Baron Corbin to get to his spot. These two know each other quite well having previous matches in New Japan Pro Wrestling. This match has the capability of being the match of the night. Both of these guys are huge fan favorites. I’m actually more excited for this match probably than any match on the whole car. I’m going with Finn Balor for the win.
Winner: #1 Contender Finn Balor
The Lucha Dragons Vs. NXT Tag Team Champions Murphy & Blake (NXT Tag Team Championship Match)
Buddy Murphy and Wesley Blake are definitely my favorite tag team in NXT right now. They have been for a while. Knowing this, 2 weeks ago when they won the NXT Tag Team Championships in an upset win over the Lucha Dragons, I shit myself with joy. Nothing personal against the Lucha Dragons, but I was a huge fan of the Aussie Strong Style team. This match will be a good match overall. I’m curious to see how Murphy & Blake will set themselves apart from the Tag Team division and really represent the Aussie Strong Style.
That’s truly a big key difference with Murphy & Blake compared to the previous NXT Tag Team Champs. The Ascension had a stand out presence about themselves. We see that now on the main roster. The Lucha Dragons had a stand out presence about themselves. What is the stand out presence of Murphy & Blake? Is it the intensity shown by the two? Is it the Aussie Strong Style? I excited to find out what it is. I am going to take Murphy & Blake as the winners in this match.
Winners: NXT Tag Team Champions Murphy & Blake
NXT Women’s Champ Charlotte Vs. Bayley Vs. Sasha Banks Vs. Becky Lynch (NXT Women’s Championship Match)
Four of the top NXT Divas in one ring duking it out for the prized NXT Women’s Championship. This should be exciting. A while back we saw Adrian Neville defend his NXT Championship in a fatal four way match versus Sami Zayn, Tyson Kidd, and Tyler Breeze. That match was A-MAZING. I expect another A-MAZING match from the NXT Divas.
Right now out of these four divas, the two I see standing out for the title win will be either Sasha Banks or Bayley. Bayley faced Charlotte on that same night Adrian defended his title in the Fatal Four Way. She lost to Charlotte, but the match was one of the best divas matches I have seen in a while since Paige ran through NXT. Bayley i coming off of her injury on fire. The same can be said for Sasha Banks. I am predicting Sash Banks will win setting up a Sasha Banks Bayley feud.
Winner: New NXT Women’s Champion Sasha Banks
NXT Champion Sami Zayn Vs. Kevin Owens (NXT Championship Match)
This is a feud that has followed these two almost throughout their whole wrestling careers. Sami Zayn as El Generico and Kevin Owens as Kevin Steen have feuded in Indy Wrestling companies, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Ring Of Honor, and many others. Finally the feud has made its way to the WWE on NXT. I can guarantee this feud will follow these two throughout their whole WWE career.
It took Sami Zayn nearly almost two years to finally capture the NXT Title. The night he wins it, Kevin Owens betrays Sami by power bombing him into a ring apron. This feud is truly in the beginning stages, I’m just excited to see where it will go. This match will be a brawl, high-flying, and technical masterpiece. This is a match everyone wanted to see. I’m excited to watch it. I do see Sami Zayn taking the win.
Winner: NXT Champion Sami Zayn
If you are interested to see some other predictions, go to CNN’s Bleacher Report and check out who they predicted is going to win at NXT Takeover: Rival
The Over Jobber 