NXT TakeOver: Toronto 2019 match predictions

Candice LeRae vs. Io Shirai

Before I break down this match, I would like to take some credit for speaking this match into existence. Sure, LeRae/Shirai was probably planned weeks ago and anyone who read the spoilers knew this match was happening, but I’ll still give myself a slight pat on the back.

This feud began when Io Shirai turned on LeRae following Shirai’s cage match loss to NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler, capping off her shift to the dark side by suplexing LeRae onto a steel chair.

The NXT video production team deserves a lot of credit for cramming as much footage into the video package for this match to sell the idea that these two were best friends despite only associating with each other for several weeks, but it did succeed in painting Shirai as a sore loser who blamed her shortcomings on someone who only tried to help her fend off Baszler’s cronies.

As for LeRae, it’s about time she received a storyline to sink her teeth into. The writers framed her as “Mrs. Johnny Gargano” for far too long, so an actual feud independent of that status will give her a chance to show everyone why she was such a highly-touted signing.

As for who wins, Shirai just turned, so a loss here would render that needed reset pointless (see: Shinsuke Nakamura after he turned) and at this point, LeRae just needs to show she can bring it in a TakeOver match (and she will).

These two could steal the show on Saturday, but “The Genius of the Sky” will ultimately take what should be the first match in a lengthy series.

Prediction: Io Shirai pins Candice LeRae