NXT TakeOver: Phoenix Match Card Predictions

Keith Lee vs. Kassius Ohno

Keith Lee’s short feud with Lars Sullivan likely won’t last through the end of the year — if it hasn’t ended already — so when their brief rivalry ends (hopefully with a Lee win before Sullivan officially moves to the main roster to get pushed despite saying some truly horrible things on a bodybuilding forum several years ago), the “Limitless” one will probably have Kassius Ohno waiting for him.

Over the last few months, Ohno has grumbled to anyone in his general vicinity about how he’s been passed over by NXT general manager William Regal in favor of the GM’s “shiny new toys”: referring to recently debuting wrestlers that have arrived and received instant pushes.

Recently, Ohno has directed his frustrations toward the recently-introduced Matt Riddle, which culminated in a match at NXT TakeOver WarGames II, where Riddle kneed Ohno in the face and pinned him in seven seconds. Ohno and Riddle will probably face off a couple more times between now and TakeOver: Phoenix, but if the creative team wants to, they can easily transition from Riddle vs Ohno to Lee vs Ohno in time for the next network special.

If or when Ohno and Lee clash, it should be a hard-hitting affair between two of the best big men wrestlers in the world. Given Ohno’s status as the upper-midcard gatekeeper, this would likely be a showcase of sorts for Lee.