WWE NXT TakeOver: R Evolution – Preview and Predictions
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Adrian Neville vs. Sami Zayn – NXT Championship
The rivalry between Adrian Neville and Sami Zayn has been brewing since NXT TakeOver: Fatal 4-Way, when Neville pulled the referee out of the ring as he was counting to three on Zayn pin. The former Generic Luchador would be in a state of shock, confront Neville, and get Super-kicked.
Ever since then, the storyline to R Evolution has been Zayn’s road to redemption. Another theme has also been how Neville will do whatever it takes to retain his NXT Championship. Remember how he recently pinned Zayn as he was checking to see if he was okay after suffering an injury?
Since that happened, Zayn inserted his own stipulation into their NXT Championship match – if he loses, he will be leaving NXT. While some may think that indicates Zayn winning the belt, don’t be so sure of that. This could easily be a way of getting him to the main roster, which he’s certainly ready for. It is also what I think is going to happen.
Adrian Neville is very good in the ring for his style, but his character isn’t something that many fans have gotten behind. His microphone skills have improved, but not enough to be considered an upper-card talent on the main roster. He needs the NXT Championship to continue to keep himself relevant. He won’t lose the title until the next NXT TakeOver special in March, in my opinion, once his reign has crossed a full calender year.
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Anyway, this match between Neville and Zayn is going to be awesome. They’re going to pull out all of the stops and put on potentially the match of the year in WWE. The Full Sail University crowd will be greeted with one heck of a show and be sent home extremely happy.
Prediction #1
Adrian Neville defeats Sami Zayn to retain the NXT Championship. Zayn leaves NXT and goes to the main roster (Possibly Royal Rumble entrant?).
Prediction #2
This is where it gets fun.
I believe that Neville finds a way to get another cheap pin on Zayn. This will lead to Kevin Owens, who clearly stated in his third vignette that he’s best friends with Zayn, to come out, get revenge on Neville for his friend, and set up an epic rivalry for months to come.