Welcome one and all to my preview and prediction blog for the upcoming "NXT Takeover" event which will take place in Philadelphia on the 27th Of January, the night before "Royal Rumble". As always if you have anything to add to this article leave a comment below or by following me on social media. I would also like to encourage you all the check out my "Royal Rumble" preview blog too.
2018 looks like it will be another groundbreaking year for the "NXT" brand. The year has already started with a bang with the signings of 3 of the hottest indie talents, Ricochet, War Machine and Candice LaRae. Whilst I highly doubt any of these now superstars will appear on the card I could be pleasantly surprised. There are a few talents that are missing from the card that I am surprised about; namely Sanity who have had a great run with the "NXT" tag team championships before losing to The Undisputed Era. Lars Sullivan and Roderick Strong are both notable absences . The issue with "NXT" as a whole just now is the sheer volume of talent. Homegrown talent such as The Street Profits and The Iconic Duo are passed up for better known talent coming from outside of the "WWE" talent system. Whilst this provides a quick fix for dream matches being pushed for "Takeover" specials it harms the development of talent coming in at the bottom. The "Takeover:Philadelphia" card is very small, however with a week to go there may be matches announced and they will be added in to this post closer to the time. As always I will be writing about these matches in no particular order.
1. Kassius Ohno Vs. Velveteen Dream: This match was announced in the days leading up to "Takeover" and on paper it's a little bit of an oddity. Velveteen Dream was incredibly unlucky to be injured before gaining his opportunity for the "NXT" championship. I really enjoy the Velveteen Dream character, he is tapping into the over the top style character that is missing from the "NXT" product. Partner that with his incredible athleticism and he is really one to watch for the future of not only "NXT" but, "WWE" as a whole. Kassisus Ohno has proven himself to be a solid worker and a great veteran addition to the "NXT" roster by working with emerging talents since his return. the reason I said it was an oddity is that this is a real mismatch of styles. This will be a hard hitting, fast paced affair that will showcase how good both men really are. It's the fan boy in me that would love to see Lio Rush get involved, perhaps aligning himself with Velveteen Dream but, I think "the Man Of The Hour" may be building to something different. I think this may be the first of many high profile wins for Velveteen Dream.
2. NXT Tag Team Championship: Bobby Fish And Kyle O'Reilly (C) Vs. Authors Of Pain: The signing of Adam Cole, Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly was arguably one of the biggest signings for the "NXT" brand in quite some time. Since then The Undisputed Era have taken their place at the top of the proverbial food chain, taking part in a memorable "War Games" match in the process. Authors Of Pain had a similar rise in "NXT" coming in and dominating the tag team division in quick fashion. On paper this is a one sided affair with the mostly unbeaten Authors Of Pain becoming only the second team in "NXT" history to be two time champions. I don't really see that happening with Fish And O'Reilly being one of the best tag teams in the world before coming to the "WWE". This could be a surprisingly good match that could prove a memorable outing for both teams. Look for both Adam Cole and Paul Ellering being a factor in the result. I think that Fish and O'Reilly will come out on top.
3. Extreme Rules Match: Aleister Black Vs. Adam Cole: It's not an event in Philly without an "Extreme Rules" match to appease the "ECW" die hard's. This is an interesting stipulation for a match that could have been a great match in the confines of a normal match. Aleister Black is one of the most under rated talents on the entire "NXT" card. He has had some fantastic matches including the show stealing match with The Velveteen Dream at the last "Takeover" event. Adam Cole has had a little bit of an underwhelming start to his "NXT" career, proving to be more of a mouth piece for the other Undisputed Era members. This match could change everything for both men. In my opinion this could catapult both men into the main event picture if it steals the show. I can't help but feel that "NXT" could benefit from having another singles championship to elevate talents outside of the main event match. This could have mad this match a lot more high stakes other than a dislike for one and other. This could be a great match with some excellent spots. I think Black may come out on top.
4. NXT Women's Championship: Ember Moon (C) Vs. Shayna Baszler: This has been a rather hastily put together match and seems really strange to elevate Baszler to the main event picture so quickly. Ember Moon has had a mediocre run as champion so far, which is a shame as she has had some great matches so far. This match could have been a bit more spectacular by adding Kairi Sane or Nikki Cross to the mix making the match a bit more high stakes. I really don't know how this match will go. If this is simply a squash match with Baszler coming out on top, it would be a shame after the build that Moon has had over the past few months but, on the other hand having Baszler lose after the build she has had wouldn't make any sense. I hate to say it but, I think option A seems more likely and Baszler will become an unbeatable champion for the next little while.
5. NXT Championship: Andrade "Cien" Almas (C) Vs. Johnny Gargano: Almas as champion was a real left field choice. Having little to no build going into "War Games" the match between Almas and Drew Galloway was middle of the road at best. I can't help but think that if Galloway hadn't gotten injured he may have still be champion and the main event may have been a lot different. Gargano is the personification of the underdog story that could be done from now until the end of time. The build up for this match has been entertaining enough, with Zelina Vega having more than enough character for her and Almas combined. This could be a great match to end the night and I really could see Gargano coming out on top. I think there may be an "X Factor" in the shape of Tomasso Ciampa that could affect the ending of this match. I think this could lead to a final battle between Ciampa Vs. Gargano for the "NXT" championship.
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