Photo Source: WWE.com
With so many great matches being offered by NXT at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, who will win and who will lose on NXT’s biggest stage of the year?
NXT’s match card for NXT TakeOver: New Orleans is stacking up to be one of the best in the brand’s short history. It seems that the card has a match type that could satisfy everything a wrestling fan looks for at a wrestling show.
NXT TakeOver: New Orleans features a 10+ month long feud with the brand’s top babyface finally getting an unsanctioned match against former friend, former partner, current rival, and top heel. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa delivered an in ring classic in the Cruiserweight Classic back in 2016, but with this storyline behind them, they are sure to go above and beyond in their New Orleans rematch.
We also have exciting tag team action to cap off what has been a fun Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic featuring an odd duo that will surely raise some eyebrows at the event. Then, there’s the NXT Women’s Championship match that has the fierce Ember Moon squaring off against MMA specialist and resident bully, Shayna Baszler.
And, for all you fans that just want to see bodies flying everywhere with dramatic spots and high adrenaline moves, well, there’s a six man ladder match for the newly created NXT North American Championship.
As for the NXT Championship match, it has all the ingredients to create a five star masterpiece in the ring. The smooth and sound Andrade Almas is coming off of an incredible match against Gargano at the last NXT TakeOver to take on the ominous and strong striker, Aleister Black. The clash of styles from both a character and in ring work perspective will surely make this bout a must watch.
There is so much action to look forward to, but who can we expect to come out victorious in all of these match ups?
Credit: WWE.com
Shayna Baszler def. Ember Moon (c)
Ember Moon has been a great NXT Women’s Champion so far. While it is impossible to fill the shoes of the undefeated Asuka, Ember has sure come close with the way she has carried herself and the quality of matches she has put on.
As Ember rose up the ranks in the NXT women’s division, she was never able to defeat Asuka, but she did have her big moment when she defeated Kairi Sane, Nikki Cross, and Peyton Royce to win the NXT Women’s Championship.
Besides that big moment, Moon has had a good run as champion, and an intense feud with a new up and comer. So, it appears Ember has done everything there is to do in NXT besides put over said newcomer.
If she does put over the newcomer and lose her title to Shayna Baszler, there is no reason for her not to show up on Raw or SmackDown after WrestleMania. There, she can make a huge impact on the main roster while chasing down her biggest rival in an attempt to give Asuka her first loss.
As for Shayna, she already lost to Ember Moon clean once (even though it was via a roll up). If she loses again it takes away all of her credibility as this MMA fighter and bully that can take anything she wants and knock down anyone in her way.
Shayna will come out victorious in New Orleans, and then she will bathe in the tears of all of the wrestling community’s keyboard warriors.
Credit: WWE.com
EC3 def. Ricochet, Lars Sullivan, Adam Cole, Killian Dain, and Velveteen Dream
Truthfully, I have no idea who is going to win this match. It is filled with so much star power and so many great performers that any one of these men could be the inaugural NXT North American Champion and I’d have no complaints.
However, sadly, not all of them can be the first ever champ. So, let’s take a look at this from a process of elimination standpoint:
Adam Cole would be a great pick to win this match as he and the Undisputed Era have completely shocked the system since entering NXT. However, there’s some spoilery information about Cole’s duties at TakeOver that may make winning a six-man ladder match nearly impossible (more on that in a bit).
Then, we take a look at Lars Sullivan and Killian Dain. Both have been tremendous in their monster heel roles. Lars is so believable as this maniacal monster while the athleticism and size of Dain is sure to scare any sane person out of their boots.
That being said, they are great in their current roles and can succeed without a belt at the moment. I mean, just look at the success of fellow monster Braun Strowman who has yet to win a title.
For me, it becomes a toss up after eliminating those three. I think Ricochet will be able to wow the crowd with his aerial assault in the ladder match, and Velveteen Dream is already an established threat and character for NXT.
But EC3 is also debuting, and his arrogant and smug character is at its peak with a belt around his waist. This title will give EC3 the opportunity to cu great promos and showcase his skills in championship bouts, and it will be a great way to introduce the top one percenter to the WWE Universe.
CAUTION: Spoiler regarding the Dusty Rhodes Classic and NXT Tag Team Championships is next.
Credit: WWE.com
Undisputed Era (c) def. Pete Dunne & Roderick Strong, Authors Of Pain
For the first time ever, the NXT Tag Team Championships will be defended in the finals of the Dusty Rhodes Classic. Also for the first time ever, the finals will be a triple threat match for the belts.
Originally, it was supposed to be the winner of the Dunne and Strong vs. AoP match that would take on the Undisputed Era in New Orleans. However, Cole and O’Reilly decided to interfere in their match forcing William Regal to make the decision that Undisputed Era would be facing both teams at NXT TakeOver.
Now, this matchup is pretty odd because the NXT Tag Team Championships are usually defended by Fish and O’Reilly, but because Bobby Fish is injured, Adam Cole will be taking his place. Then, we have the odd couple team of Roderick Strong, underdog babyface, and Pete Dunne, relentless heel, in the match as well.
But one thing that has stayed the same in the NXT tag division ever since they debuted is The Authors of Pain being on top looking to crush any team that challenges them for their spot. They are the reigning Dusty Rhodes Classic winners, but I don’t think they will repeat.
The Authors of Pain are primed for a main roster run after improving so much in NXT and capturing and losing the belts, so I don’t think they win here. I also don’t think Dunne and Strong win just because I feel that story will develop into either a feud or heel turn for Strong down the road.
So, my pick to win is the defending Undisputed Era, but there will be a lot going on in this match with the history that Strong has with the competitors in this match. Undisputed Era tried to recruit Roddy, and Roddy once teamed with AoP against the Undisputed Era. So, all eyes will be on him and how he interacts with other teams and his own partner during the match…He may even Shock The System.
Credit: WWE.com
Tommaso Ciampa def. Johnny Gargano
The rivalry between Gargano and Ciampa could be one of the greatest storylines in recent history. I mean, Ciampa has become a top heel despite his last match being ten months ago, while Johnny Gargano has wrestled his way into our hearts.
It all started when Ciampa turned on his #DIY partner with a vicious assault following a loss to the Authors of Pain. After that, Ciampa took time off due to injury while Gargano tried to become Johnny Wrestling and climb the ladder in NXT.
After some crushing losses, he did just that. He fought into title contention and faced Adrade Almas for the NXT Championship. At the end of their five star bout, Gargano left with a loss, but afterwards Ciampa struck him with his crutch to remind Gargano that there is still unfinished business between the two.
Johnny then went on to put his NXT career on the line against Almas only for Ciampa to interfere and cost Gargano his job. Ciampa was content and thought he got rid of Gargano, but the fans wouldn’t let Tommaso forget “Johnny Wrestling” each week when he would come out to the ring.
Then, Gargano tried to seek revenge on the man who costed him a friendship, a title, and his job by jumping the barricade, attacking Ciampa on his way to the facility, and at his house. This all led to Regal creating an unsanctioned match between the two at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans.
This is sure to be a match that will pull at the heart strings, but I don’t think we will get the result we all want. Ciampa will have the last laugh and use the tremendous heat from his victory to carry himself to a successful NXT singles career.
Meanwhile, a defeated and jobless Johnny Gargano will have to leave NXT and move on to the next chapter of his career…Just please don’t title that chapter “205 Live”.
Credit: WWE.com
Aleister Black def. Andrade “Cien” Almas (c)
It was only a matter of time until Aleister Black rose to NXT Championship contention. Along the way, he established himself as NXT’s most prolific striker, and his character work is even more captivating. He is so mysterious, athletic, and imposing that it makes it easy to both be entertained and root for the guy in any match.
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While Aleister’s natural rise to the top seemed to be a foregone conclusion upon his debut, Andrade’s path was quite the opposite. After getting lost in the midcard shuffle as a face, Almas need a big change if he wanted to make an impact in NXT.
And that change came in the form of Zelina Vega. Vega as Andrade’s manager and mouthpiece has made him a star in NXT. His in ring work was always top level, but with the addition of Vega, he had the character work to match it.
He shockingly went on to defeat Drew McIntyre for the NXT Championship, defended it against Gargano, and now he faces the ominous Aleister Black. I, for one, believe that both of these men are main roster ready, so I am fully expecting the loser to show up on Raw or SmackDown after WrestleMania.
Andrade has paid his due and has improved drastically, so I think it’s time for Vince McMahon to make him the next big Latino/Mexican star on the main roster. As for Aleister Black, he has succeeded thus far in his NXT career, but let’s see if he can carry the brand as its champion.
Next: Second Time In NXT Is The Charm For EC3
No matter who comes out as winners in these matches, NXT TakeOver: New Orleans is sure to steal the show come WrestleMania weekend. NXT is here to Shock The System, not Fade To Black.