Are you guys ready to get more of your Takeover fix? I certainly am as I’m buzzing for NXT Takeover: Portland tonight.
NXT comes to Oregon, strangely on a Sunday with no WWE show following, effectively, that means it is time for them to steal the spotlight.
With many thrilling matches, Charlotte Flair awaiting a Champion and an anticipated Championship clinic in the main event, this show is going to be quite the show of shows.
This is all in the voyage to WrestleMania (you get it? Because it is Pirate-Themed…)
As always, I put my predicting skills to the test and try to see if I have a mind of a WWE-booker. Do I want that powerful mind? Aaah! I’ll try my best:
NXT Tag Team Championship: Undisputed Era (Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly) (c) vs The BroserWeights (Matt Riddle & Pete Dunne)
Undisputed Era have been dominating NXT since it went on live TV. With all members holding championships until Roderick Strong lost to Keith Lee a few weeks ago.
With Veleveteen Dream seeking vengeance on Roddy, the other members of the UE are heading into Championship battle – two of those men defending the NXT Tag Team straps.
Fish & O’Reilly’s oppenents are no easy feat to beat, as they have the Dusty Classic winners, Matt Riddle & Pete Dunne, the “BroserWeights”.
Riddle and Dunne have prven to be quite the comedic duo with many mentions to Riddle’s hippie days (which probably haven’t stopped) and Dunne’s unamused facial expressions.
Just imagine them riding into the sunset on their golfcart with their shiny, silver trophy and Tag titles.
I wish and I predict as I think it is time for the Undisputed Era to leave the Tag title scene. How many times have they won it? 3 or 4 times at least! If the BroserWeights are champs, then other heel teams can build up such as Forgotten Sons etc… There isn’t many teams on NXT; it may be better to mash-up single stars such as Damian Priest and Killian Dain.
Prediction: BroserWeights
Street Fight: Dakota Kai vs Tegan Nox
Dakota Kai turned heel at NXT Takeover: Wargames last year, maliciously attacking her Team Kick partner, Tegan Nox.
The initial turn was outstanding which made everyone including myself gasp! However, her heat has slowly been dying ever since and her heel run not doing as well as anticipated.
This street fight between former allies, should still deliver excitement, a whole lot of ‘kicks’, outrage, usage of weapons and a Candice LeRae.
What exactly is a Candice LeRae? She just seems to be every face’s friend in need.
This time though, I can’t see Candice being any help to Tegan. As I am feeling this is a godd place to refuel the heel character for Kai and unleash her on the women’s division.
Or as Andy Datson put it over on WrestleTalk, Dakota will beat Tegan by having her Nox’d out… it works better through speech.
Prediction: Dakota Kai
NXT North American Championship: Keith Lee (c) vs Dominik Dijakovic
These two NXT Superstars make us re-evauluate the “giant” persona in the wrestling industry.
They both do moves that smaller talent can do, sometimes even better! Mark Henry says it a lot better than I on the latest NXT.
Keith Lee is super over with the crowd currently and why shouldn’t he? Hei s athletic, enthusiastic, energetic and the North American Champion.
Dominik Dijakovic is Lee’s biggest rival and I can’t wait for them to tear Portland down tonight!
This is Lee’s first title defence and probably the last time they will face each other on the developmental roster. Due to Lee’s overness, he should be the one walking away with the title and ‘W’ in the recordbooks for this ultimate feud.
Prediction: Keith Lee
Finn Balor vs Johnny Gargano
Finn Balor has been seen on NXT since in debuted on USA. He turned heel a few weeks later by recklessly attacking Johnny Gargano and even injuring the poor soul.
This delayed their match at NXT Takeover: WarGames and instead we were treated to Finn Balor vs Matt Riddle.
With Johnny Wrestling, Takeover, Gargano, whatever name he is using this week, back in action, I can’t wait to see the match Balor went to NXT for.
Expect this to steal the show tonight as most Balor & Gargano matches do. Against each other though is going to give me goosebumps from the tremendous ability.
It is quite a tough one to predict.. Are they finishing it with a face overcoming the bad guy or is Balor just going to get stronger on the NXT brand?
I can see Balor becoming a bigger heel in the industry and facing the NXT Champion at the next Takeover. I think the Prince will reach for the throne.
Prediction: Finn Balor
NXT Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) vs Bianca Belair
WOOO! We have ourselves an NXT Women’s Championship match! Or just an NXT Championship match depending on what they are wanting to call it tonight.
Bianca Belair has earned her opportunity to face Rhea Ripley tonight but that definitley isn’t the bigger picture.
Charlotte Flair to many fans disappointment (mine included) won this year’s Royal Rumble, meaning she has a title match at the Grandest Stage of Them All – WrestleMania 36.
Rhea Ripley confronted the 10x Champ and told her to challenge her.
Charlotte hasn’t answered yet but promises to be in Portland tonight. Ripley is obviously getting through Belair and then we have ourselves an NXT Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania – who would’ve believed that?!
Prediction: Rhea Ripley
NXT Championship: Adam Cole (c) vs Tommaso Ciampa
Daddy’s Home! Baybay!
Finally, Adam Cole will defend his NXT Championship against the man that never lost Goldie in the first place – Tommaso Ciampa.
This match is going to be amazing as every match featuring these two wrestlers are.
It could go in any direction, but I think this feud will be over after this evening. Tonight is not then night for Undisputed Era as I am prediciting Ciampa regains his NXT title.
No idea what is next for the Undisputed Era, I can’t see them being called up anytime soon (excluding Cole by himself but they work better as a unit) and there is nothing to accomlish on Wednesday Nights anymore. We will just have to wait and see.
If this prediction is right I can see Ciampa going to Tampa (Yay! That rhymed!) and defending Goldie against Finn Balor.
Prediction: Tommaso Ciampa
There you guys go! NXT Takeover: Portland has now been predicted. Do you agree or disagree? Let me know your predictions in the comments or over on Twitter!
This show is going to be cracking as always, so have a cracking time watching it and I will see you all with the next predictions blog on the seven seas leading to WrestleMania.
Lost in Travel 