NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff match predictions

WALTER (c) vs. Tyler Bate- WWE United Kingdom Championship Match

If you found the build to this United Kingdom Title match to be lacking, then go out of your way to check out the Prime Target special WWE produced to hype this bout up.

If nothing else, watch it to see Bate bless us with his piano rendition of Dr. Dre’s “Still D.R.E.”.

Much like the mini-doc Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano received prior to their Best-of-3 Falls Match at NXT TakeOver: Toronto, it deftly established the clash of ring styles, personalities, and wrestling philosophies of champion and challenger packaged in a sleek, sports-like presentation.

It’s WALTER’s old-school purism against Bate’s new-age fusion of technical prowess and showmanship. The champ is framed as an aloof introvert while his opponent is shown to be an affable youngster who continues to harness his prodigious talents.

WALTER’s part of the special paints a grim, ruthless portrait of a man who takes pride in his straightforward, understated tendencies whereas the challenger’s portions featured more colorful, hopeful panels of light with the music to match.

That’s not to say that angles we got on the proper TV show weren’t effective.

“The Ring General’s” attacks on Bate and his partner Trent Seven contained as much brutality as you’ll see on modern WWE programming, and it set the stage for Bate’s fiery return and the heated grudge match we’re getting on Saturday.

These two will get some latitude to put forth an outstanding main event, and both have the in-ring abilities to do so.

While you could make a good case for Bate to win the title, it feels too soon to take the strap from the Austrian. So, expect a WALTER title retention with Bate looking strong in defeat.

Prediction: WALTER pins Tyler Bate, retains WWE United Kingdom Championship