WWE NXT TakeOver XXV Match Predictions

Shayna Baszler (c) vs. Io Shirai- NXT Women’s Championship

This feud peaked during the aftermath of Shayna Baszler’s title defense against Kairi Sane on the April 17 episode of NXT, in which Baszler’s flunkies Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir restrained Sane’s tag team partner, Io Shirai, and forced Shirai to watch Baszler send Sane to SmackDown Live with an injured elbow (which Sane, of course, didn’t sell because the main roster doesn’t care  about continuity).

Since then, the bookers have kept this feud alive with camera phone footage and the occasional backstage interview, but it’s safe to assume that fans would’ve expected more out of a Baszler/Shirai program.

Still, the match should be really good, though it may only vaguely resemble their pre-WWE outings because 1.) they may not get as much time to tell their story, 2.) the WWE style may restrict their movesets, and 3.) doing a bunch of chain wrestling, as pretty as it would be, wouldn’t match the tone of the feud.

Candice LeRae will accompany Shirai to the ring to help combat Duke and Shafir’s shenanigans, but even with the playing field a bit more even, the time doesn’t feel right for a title change.

The writers could recycle the Baszler/Sane template and have Shirai score a surprise pin to set up a rematch, but with a potential feud with Mia Yim seemingly on the horizon, Baszler appears the be the safer choice, again.

Prediction: Shayna Baszler pins Io Shirai, retains the NXT Women’s Championship