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NXT is going to need to change and find its footing once again if it is to garner the success it used to as a brand. Problem is, it is hard to establish momentum when they main roster keeps swiping your stars. Could this Takeover be a launching pad for NXT to regain its footing or will it be knocked off its perch again? We shall soon see. From the Slam think tank here is our predictions and prognostications for this edition of NXT Takeover.

John Powell

Editor-in-Chief

Not a fan of Kai in any way. The whole kicky thing is very one note. This seems like a place-holder championship match to be honest. Winner: Io Shirai.

Matthew Byer

Contribtor

There is a tendency in NXT that most titleholders hold onto their championships for quite a while. So based on that alone the odds of Dakota Kai winning the NXT Women’s Title are not the best at least in this match. However this is likely building towards Kai winning the NXT Women’s Championship in the months to come.

Betonline.ag

Io Shirai -700. Dakota Kai +400. Winner: Io Shirai

DAVE HILLHOUSE

Hollywood Headlock Editor

The point here would seem to be more about giving Shirai a strong showing in defense rather than the legitimate threat of Kai dethroning her so early in her run. With that perspective in mind, it should be an entertaining match, it will just lack the tension of an uncertain outcome. Winner: Io Shirai

GAVIN HILLHOUSE

SmackDown Reporter

No way Shirai loses the title here, it’s way too soon after she won it. I can see Kai taking it from her eventually, though. Winner: Io Shirai

John Powell

Editor-in-Chief

I disliked this angle from the very start. Adam Cole deserves better than this nonsense match against a person who makes their living being a blow-hard. Winner: Adam Cole.

MATTHEW BYER

Contributor

In all honestly under normal circumstances Adam Cole might have been moved to Raw or SmackDown after losing the NXT Title.  However, this match against Pat McAfee may be just what is needed to get him back on track and back into the title picture.

Betonline.ag

Adam Cole – 170. Pat McAfee +130. Winner: Adam Cole

GAVIN HILLHOUSE

SmackDown Reporter

WWE doesn’t always book matches logically, but if Cole loses this, then they’ll have thrown all sense to the wind. McAfee will get some offense, but this one is Cole all the way. Winner: Adam Cole

DAVE HILLHOUSE

Hollywood Headlock Editor

Ugh. I hope for a beatdown of formidable proportions. Cole should run circles around McAfee, and anything less than a squash match would be very unbecoming for the Undisputed Era’s leader. Winner: Adam Cole

John Powell

Editor-in-Chief

Kross’ entire push has been unimpressive to me. He could be a powerhouse star in NXT or the main roster one day but right now there is nothing outstanding about him except his entrance. Winner: Keith Lee.

MATTHEW BYER

Contributor

It is far too early for Keith Lee to drop the NXT Title. Yet conversely there will be a desire to have Kross come off as strong in this match as he is very likely a future NXT Champion. Consequently the most likely finish will be a disqualification or count out to continue the feud.

BetOnline.AG

Keith Lee -140. Karrion Kross +100. Winner: Keith Lee.

DAVE HILLHOUSE

Hollywood Headlock Editor

Look for both Lee and Cross to come out looking strong here. The challenger will take Lee to the limit, but, upon realizing that he cannot gain enough of an upper hand to beat him, will resort to calling on some outside interference from Scarlett that will result in a non-finish. No Contest

GAVIN HILLHOUSE

SmackDown Reporter

This match would be a good way to bring Cross back down to earth with a loss. He’s only been in NXT since May, so I see Lee reminding Cross who’s boss in the black and yellow brand. It won’t be a squash match by any means, but Lee will come out on top. Winner: Keith Lee

John Powell

Editor-in-Chief

Although this is a last minute addition it will probably be one of the better matches on the card.   Winner: Timothy Thatcher.

BetOnline.AG

Finn Balor – 115. Timothy Thatcher – 115. Winner: Too close to call.

DAVE HILLHOUSE

Hollywood Headlock Editor

Balor will offer up himself to let Thatcher keep establishing a presence in NXT – but not quite as far as allowing him to win. A hard-hitting match should be in order. Winner: Finn Balor

GAVIN HILLHOUSE

SmackDown Reporter

Finn Balor is going to mirror Keith Lee by showing a relative newbie that he’s still got a lot to learn in NXT. Winner: Finn Balor

John Powell

Editor-in-Chief

Reed snatching the title here would support his rise to the top storyline, however, one has to think that Damian Priest would be the ideal champion considering how much Grimes has spouted off about the title. Winner: Damian Priest.

MATTHEW BYER

Contributor

This match is extremely tough to call as there are lots of potential winners. It also is likely to be the match of the night. So who wins? I’m going to go out on a limb and pick the returning Velveteen Dream. No two ways about it if The Velveteen Dream wins there will be a great deal of criticism because of the accusations against him. However, WWE has recently stated they did conduct an investigation into the accusations and found nothing and so WWE may want to show their support for The Velveteen Dream by having him win the NXT North American Championship.

DAVE HILLHOUSE

Hollywood Headlock Editor

Really, I just want to see someone run up the ladder like they really want to win, rather than as if they’re me gingerly climbing up to clean out my gutters. Velveteen Dream is in no man’s land right now, and it doesn’t feel like Gargano needs a strap at this time – so the next likely winner is Priest (maybe his imaginary arrow will simply shoot the belt down for him).  Reed and Grimes are there to put on a good show and make their mark with some ladder bumps. Winner: Damian Priest

BETONLINE.AG

Damian Priest +150 Bronson Reed +275. Johnny Gargano +325. Velveteen Dream +500. Cameron Grimes +650. Winner: Damian Priest

GAVIN HILLHOUSE

SmackDown Reporter

Bronson Reed has had the most impressive showings out of all the competitors as of late, so I see him walking away with the gold. Some concern has been raised as to whether the Thicc Boi will be able to climb the ladder as fast as his smaller opponents, but really? Have you seen how this guy moves, despite his size? I don’t think it will be a problem. Winner: Bronson Reed

John Powell

Editor-in-Chief

No interest in this one at all as the NXT tag team division is in such disarray. Winners: The angry lucha guys.

BETONLINE.AG

Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch -200. Breezango +200. Legado Del Fantasma +300. Winners: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch

DAVE HILLHOUSE

Hollywood Headlock Editor

Not feeling a strong pull for anyone here, but Lorcan & Burch may pull this one off as they’re not quite as sentimental a pick as Breezango, and not a new NXT entity like Legado del Fantasma.  Like the tortoise moving steadily onwards, they’ll slip past their flashier opponents for the victory. Winners: Lorcan & Burch

GAVIN HILLHOUSE

SmackDown Reporter

Lorcan and Burch have deserved a lot better for a long time, Legado del Fantasma is still pretty new, and Breezango are amazing with or without a title, so it seems like Lorcan and Burch are going to be #1 contenders. Winner: Lorcan and Burch