WWE
NXT TakeOver: Phoenix Preview
The second WWE pay-per-view event in 2019 also marks the second straight for NXT. With the ‘minor-league’ brand dominating WWE events in recent years, it’s only natural to expect nothing short of a fantastic show. What makes this NXT so incredibly important is the time of year, ‘Wrestlemania season’. Expect a show riddled with foreshadowing clues for what to expect heading into and after Wrestlemania.
Matt Riddle vs. Kassius Ohno
Kayla: Matt Riddle
Andrew: Matt Riddle
Jordan: Matt Riddle
Thom: Matt Riddle
Match Note: The last time these two superstars appeared on an NXT TakeOver event, Ohno lost a match in under 10 seconds. It’s tough to see Ohno buried like this a second straight match, although possible. Riddle is expected to become one of the top talents pushed for NXT in the coming year, so a win is likely. Ohno will more than likely deliver a great match as he is very capable of doing, but to see a victory from Kassius is difficult to picture. An Ohno win would definitely set up a rubber match in April, so the possibility is there.
Undisputed Era (C) vs. War Raiders – NXT Tag Team Championship
Kayla: Undisputed Era
Andrew: Undisputed Era
Jordan: War Raiders
Thom: War Raiders
Match Note: A dark horse match of the year candidate potentially looms in this brawl. Undisputed Era takes on War Raiders in what is quite possibly the biggest NXT Tag Team Championship match in over a year. Undisputed Era’s classics with Moustache Mountain and Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch should serve as appetizers for what these teams can deliver in the ring. What dictates this match result is the main roster call-up coming in April. If WWE elects to call Undisputed Era up (which they more than likely will), then the villainous faction will more than likely lose this match and a potential rematch during the pre-Wrestlemania NXT TakeOver. The War Raiders are more than capable of running the NXT tag team division should WWE move the Undisputed Era to Raw or Smackdown Live. The track record and numbers advantage play into the Undisputed Era’s odds though, so try to worry less about who wins and enjoy the match these teams put on.
Shayna Baszler (C) vs. Bianca Belair – NXT Women’s Championship
Kayla: Shayna Baszler
Andrew: Bianca Belair
Jordan: Bianca Belair
Thom: Shayna Baszler
Match Note: Another match dictated by WWE’s main roster plans sees the brutal Shayna Baszler take on undefeated Bianca Belair. There is a strong case to be made for Shayna Baszler’s call up to the main roster fairly soon. However, Baszler just became the only two-time NXT Women’s Champion which is an accolade NXT may want to run with entering 2019. Baszler is currently set up nicely to run the NXT women’s division for at least another six months minimum. The arrival of allies Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke may also see NXT elect to form a women’s faction that dictates the ‘minor-league’ system. This approach would also allow both Shafir and Duke the proper time to groom in NXT, while not rushing Baszler out of a division that seemingly needs her. Belair has a chance to win this match, but this will come down to WWE’s desire to call Baszler up or let her continue running NXT.
Ricochet (C) vs. Johnny Gargano – NXT North American Championship
Kayla: Ricochet
Andrew: Johnny Gargano
Jordan: Johnny Gargano
Thom: Ricochet
Match Note: A match of the year candidate is expected in this match, and would be shocking if it was anything but that. There’s not much to dissect here, other than sitting back and enjoy it. Ricochet winning this match would speak volumes to Gargano more so than Ricochet himself. Gargano losing this match would more than likely see the rebel heart called up to the main roster spot in April. Gargano winning is still very possible, but his time in NXT is almost at an end based on the direction his character has gone. A Gargano victory may see a rematch between the two in April, which is a route NXT is definitely capable of going down. Again, don’t think too much into this one as the in-ring performance is expected to be one of the best this year.
Tommaso Ciampa (C) vs. Aleister Black – NXT Championship
Kayla: Tommaso Ciampa
Andrew: Tommaso Ciampa
Jordan: Tommaso Ciampa
Thom: Tommaso Ciampa
Match Note: It’s not often a unanimous vote goes against Aleister Black, but everyone is expecting his main roster call-up very soon. It may even be at the Royal Rumble on Sunday. However, Black winning this match would set back his main roster arrival date. The NXT is in very good hands with Tommaso Ciampa as it’s ‘top dog,’ so seeing Aleister drop this match wouldn’t be shocking at all. Much like the match above, sitting back and enjoying this is all one should worry about. This is the third match of the year candidate on the card.
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Photo Credit: WWE via Twitter
