Quick predictions for NXT The Great American Bash 2022

With the 2022 Money in the Bank pay-per-view (or premium live events) now in the books, it’s time for WWE’s developmental brand to present its own supercard show, and it will come in the form of the third annual NXT The Great American Bash television special.

Taking place at the usual confines of the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., The Great American Bash will feature six matches on the two-hour broadcast, four of which will have championships at stake. In the presumptive main event, NXT Champion Bron Breakker will defend his title against number one contender Cameron Grimes.

To find out who comes out on top in these matches, you’ll have to tune into the USA Network to watch the action unfold. Until then, let’s prognisticate what could happen on this show.

Here are some quick predictions for NXT The Great American Bash 2022

Bron Breakker (c) vs. Cameron Grimes- NXT Championship match: It’s amazing how effective a feud that’s centered around wanting to be the champion can be. While the Cameron Grimes/Bron Breakker program veered into “Reality Era” worked-shoot territory during the go-home episode of NXT 2.0, but it has brought out the best in Grimes on the microphone as he straddles the line between passionate babyface and condescending heel.

That said, we all know how this one’s ending, despite the injury angle WWE ran last week to gin up doubt in the final outcome. Grimes is in this spot to shepherd along the talented-but-green Breakker before taking the clean fall. The journey we take to get there should be fun, though. Prediction: Bron Breakker pins Cameron Grimes, retains NXT Championship

Carmelo Hayes (c) vs. Grayson Waller- NXT North American Championship match: Given Grayson Waller’s status as NXT’s most despised heel (though that has waned over the last few months), this feels like a test run for a Camelo Hayes babyface turn. Considering how popular and entertaining Hayes and Trick Williams are as a duo, it shouldn’t shock anyone that the brand would conduct this experiment.

If they are turning Hayes babyface, presenting him as an idiot by unwittingly signing a contract for a title match with Waller isn’t the best way to start things out (though it’s not surprising that WWE would make a character dumber en route to becoming a babyface). That said, a clean win over Waller — who can retain his heat after a loss — in a solid match should put him back on track. Prediction: Carmelo Hayes pins Grayson Waller, retains NXT North American Championship

The Creed Brothers (Julius and Brutus) (c) vs. Roderick Strong and Damon Kemp- NXT Tag Team Championship match: Diamond Mine explodes! We’ve finally reached the culmination of Roderick Strong attempting to assert his authority over the rest of the cult faction with precisely zero bass in his voice.

Depending on how much time this match gets, this one could steal the show. While the Creeds are still rough around the edges (as is Damon Kemp, for that matter) they are capable of incredible things when the bell rings, and combining them with the always-reliable Strong could blend into something special. As for the finish, it seems too soon to have the Creeds chase the titles after spending months chasing Pretty Deadly, so let’s go with the champs to keep the belts.

Hopefully, this gets us closer to the big Diamond Mine schism. Prediction: The Creed Brothers beat Roderick Strong and Damon Kemp, retain the NXT Tag Team Championship (Julius Creed pins Damon Kemp)

Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne) vs. Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade- NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship match

Thank goodness Roxanne Perez didn’t use her NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament title match contract to go after the tag titles with Cora Jade. As it stands, NXT doesn’t have a better babyface on the roster to take the NXT Women’s Championship from Mandy Rose than Perez, so her using that title shot on belts the company doesn’t care about would’ve disappointed just about everyone.

WWE could go the “bad omen” route and book the babyfaces to win the titles as a harbinger of what’s to come for Rose, but given that this is a Toxic Attraction match, we’ll probably just see the champs retain thanks to a wacky distraction finish, with Jade taking the pin because…well, it’s Cora Jade. Prediction: Toxic Attraction beat Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade, retain the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship (Jacy Jayne pins Cora Jade)

Wendy Choo vs. Tiffany Stratton: It was nice to hear Wendy Choo finally rationalize this gimmick she has in a somewhat-sporting context: Basically, she acts like a 10-year-old to throw her opponents off and win matches (essentially the same reasoning used to explain Orange Cassidy’s gimmick in AEW). That works better than it existing for the sake of existing or some naked attempt to appeal to a younger audience.

Nevertheless, this match serves two purposes: give the popular Choo a bounceback win after falling short against Mandy Rose and give the green-but-uber-athletic Tiffany Stratton needed ring time against a seasoned opponent. While you could argue that loss wouldn’t hurt either that much, it’s easier to put heat back on a heel and Stratton has at least shown enough of an aptitude on the mic to keep the boos coming her way. Prediction: Wendy Choo pins Tiffany Stratton

Wes Lee vs. Trick Williams: It seemed like Wes Lee was destined to become this generation’s version of 2000 WWF Tazz: a small wrestler who constantly picks fights with larger opponents and loses those fights. But after beating Xyon Quinn a few weeks ago, there’s hope for him as a fiery underdog babyface.

If WWE plans to position Lee as a championship contender, then he will need to continue winning, and that includes this match with Trick Williams. As Carmelo Hayes’ hype man, Williams doesn’t need to win this to maintain his heat (noticing a trend with the heels?). Plus, a loss hear and some mistimed shenanigans in the North American Title match could trigger a Shawn Michaels/Sid-type breakup angle with Hayes and Williams to cement Hayes as a babyface. Prediction: Wes Lee pins Trick Williams.