NXT New Year’s Evil Match Card Predictions

Karrion Kross vs. Damian Priest

Damian Priest has stepped out of the North American Championship picture to face Karrion Kross, a man who is very clearly gunning for Finn Balor and the NXT Championship after an injury forced him to relinquish the belt.

Like Rhea Ripley, Priest is another name whom fans are considering as a possible addition to Raw or SmackDown. And, again, the Monday night program could very much use him, particularly in the upper mid-card scene. When was the last time Bobby Lashley had a legitimate challenger for the United States Championship? Apollo Crews, the man whom he originally beat for the title?

In any case, Kross vs. Priest has a chance to be a thriller. I mean, they aren’t going to beat Rhea vs. Raquel in a Last Woman Standing match or Kyle vs. Finn Part 2, but they’re going to put on a great match in their own right.

Unlike Ripley vs. Gonzalez, however, I have no problems picking a winner here. Kross is going to win this match, though I am sure Priest will give him everything he’s got. WWE are absolutely high on Kross as a future top heel on Raw or SmackDown, but I believe they feel the same way with Priest as a tweener, cool babyface character. They’ve booked him well since he signed from Ring of Honor, who did not value him nearly as much.

Prediction: Karrion Kross