NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night One Predictions

NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver has shaped up to be one of the most anticipated NXT TakeOver events in a very long time. The two-night showcase has matched that fans are clamoring to see, and it is hard to pick which night will outshine the other. Looking forward to both events, the predictions must be broken out into two separate editions as the entire program is too big to cover at once. These are the predictions of how the first night of NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver will go down.

Pete Dunne versus KUSHIDA

This may be the most recent match added to the TakeOver series, but it is immediately one of the most interesting. When matches have intricate storylines and build, they become more interesting, but there is something to be said about a sudden pairing between two men or women that are at the top of their game. That is exactly where this match between Pete Dunne and KUSHIDA stands. This should start a category of matches titled “NBN” or No Build Necessary because these two men are going to put on a show, even if the story is not there.

Some fans may enjoy fast pace, high-flying wrestling, while others like “big meaty men, slapping meat.” KUSHIDA versus Dunne is neither of those. Instead, it will be a technical showcase between two of the better grapplers on the WWE roster. Think back to the days of Bret Hart, Mr. Perfect, Bob Backlund, and prime Ric Flair – Dunne and KUSHIDA will make all those men proud.

As for the victor, Dunne is the individual with momentum behind him. KUSHIDA was on the rise, but his loss to Johnny Gargano at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day put a halt to that. Dunne has a pin over Finn Balor and while he has not been mentioned in the title picture since the expectation is that he will continue to be built as a high-level threat. Expect a lot of back-and-forth grappling, with holds that will make everyone cringe. But in the end, it will be Pete Dunne who comes out with the victory.

Winner: Pete Dunne

MSK versus Grizzled Young Veterans versus Legado Del Fantasma

The NXT tag team division is set for a rise. After the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team classic, it looked like the division was set for a rebirth, with the intention to push back to the days of American Alpha, DIY, the Revival, and more. The unfortunate injury to Danny Burch forced he and Oney Lorcan to vacate the titles, setting up this match with three of the best teams available in the NXT brand.

Any of these three teams could come out of this match with the titles around their waists. It seemed like MSK was set for the big time after winning the Dusty Cup. The injury to Wes Lee put a halt on that, and they were pushed back into a feud with GYV. Legado, on the other hand, was not really seen in the title picture after being bounced out of the Dusty Cup, instead focusing on helping Santos Escobar keep that title around his waist.

This should be expected to be a super-fast paced match with so many highlight-reel moments. MSK should be the favorites coming into the match, but there is something impactful about having the babyfaces chasing after the heels that makes tag team wrestling work. Expect the Grizzled Young Veterans to show exactly why they are that and get the titles around their waist, setting off what should be a captivating feud with MSK for the months to come.

Winner: Grizzled Young Veterans

Leon Ruff versus Isiah “Swerve” Scott versus Bronson Reed versus Cameron Grimes versus Dexter Lumis versus LA Knight

This is a Six-Man Gauntlet Eliminator match. The rules themselves are a bit hard to explain, but it is setting up a new contender to face Johnny Gargano for the NXT North American title on night two of Stand and Deliver.

At first glance, Dexter Lumis seems to be the top name to come out of this match. He and Gargano have been involved in a storyline for months and WWE Creative has an affinity for the odd character. Leon Ruff and Swerve Scott are embroiled in their own feud, which will probably continue after this match. The same could be said for Bronson Reed and LA Knight. Cameron Grimes, while a hilariously over character, does not seem to be the right fit to take the title off Gargano at this time, which leaves Lumis as the top pick to come out of this match and face Johnny Wrestling that next night.

Winner: Dexter Lumis

Walter versus Tommaso Ciampa

Ladies and gentlemen put the faint of heart away before this match starts. NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver will have it is mix of technical and high-flying wrestling, but the match between Walter and Tommaso Ciampa will be of one kind: violence.

This is the perfect scenario to introduce Walter to the NXT audience. While many wrestling fans recognize him and his importance across the independent scene, he still has not been booked as the monster heel that he is known to be. Just look at how he was treated during Survivor Series two years ago as an example of such. Bringing him over to NXT after its elevation to the USA Network and giving him this match against Ciampa is the right way to let everyone know that the real Ring General is here.

Expect this to be a hard-hitting affair from the very start. Ciampa is going to put up a crazy fight, but he is going to be pseudo-squashed, just like he was when he faced Karrion Kross before he rose to the NXT title. Walter and Imperium are positioned to be the next big group of heels to terrorize NXT for an extended period, and this run starts with Walter beating the mess out of the brand’s resident psycho killer.

Winner: Walter

Io Shirai versus Raquel Gonzalez

The booking around Io Shirai and Raquel Gonzalez was not the best, as it should have picked up immediately after Gonzalez pinned Shirai at NXT TakeOver: War Games. Now that we are finally at the pairing of these two ladies in a singles match, this is the big women’s contest that the NXT women’s division has needed.

Shirai has been built up as an uber tough champion. During this run she is picked up wins over the likes of Rhea Ripley, Candice LeRae, Shotzi Blackheart, Mercedes Martinez, Toni Storm, and anyone else who has stepped in her way. But the feeling behind that build is that it was set in place to give the rub over to Gonzalez when the time is right. The time is now.

Gonzalez can be the next big heel to dominate over the NXT women’s division. With a new crop of women being added to the already deep NXT division, she is the exact final boss that could be always a serious threat. As for Shirai, it is a dangerous proposition, but she could be needed on the main roster to help rebuild the women’s division there. While the move does not need to be immediate, and it is a scary proposition, she has done all that is available for her to do in NXT.

Winner: Raquel Gonzalez

The first night of NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver is stacked to the gills. It has a match for every type of wrestling fan. This is the NXT TakeOver that can help build interest as the show moves to Tuesdays, hopefully helping the brand return to what it was a few, short years ago.