NXT TakeOver: Dallas Predictions

WrestleMania weekend is upon us and it is time to get excited. However, in an interesting twist WWE has this year decided to not only present the grandest stage of them all but to give us an NXT show a couple of days before. NXT TakeOver: Dallas is one hell of a card, and there is every chance that it outshines the big one. With that in mind, let’s have some predictions.

Austin Aries vs. Baron Corbin

Credit where it is due, Baron Corbin has come on leaps and bounds in the last year. He is still a bit wooden, but I can now understand why the company seems to like him. However, he also appears to be in a bit of a holding pattern. Being used to introduce characters like Samoa Joe and Austin Aries to the roster. Everything about this match suggests that Aries takes the win, what will be interesting is how it is presented. Does Aries take a beating beforehand or does The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived start dominant? I’m no sure, but I’m looking forward to finding out.

Austin Aries wins by pinfall

The Revival (C) vs. American Alpha For The NXT Tag Team Championship

The Revival have been good Tag Team Champs but now is the time for them to move on. American Alpha are the hottest tag team in WWE and NXT’s recent work in building them has been brilliant. Accepting that they both failed in their amateur careers and are looking for redemption just ramped up the sympathy for those two brilliant athletes. If they were to go into this weekend and lose that would be wasted. No, this weekend they shall indeed be ready, willing and Gable.

American Alpha wins by pinfall to become the new Tag Team Champions

Apollo Crews vs. Elias Samson

Elias Samson is not working, and his recent defeat to Johnny Gargano suggests that maybe NXT have figured this out. The mysterious Drifter character just isn’t that good and the lack of information doesn’t make you more interested in him, but bored by him. Meanwhile, Crews is one of the best athletes on the roster but has lacked that great story to really show him off. This isn’t that moment, but there is still more upside to him than Samson and I see him picking up the win.

Apollo Crews wins by pinfall

Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

To quote a hero of mine, sweet baby Jesus, if you aren’t excited by this match there is either something seriously wrong with you or you just haven’t seen these men work. Sami Zayn vs. Nakamura in a WWE ring, if you had suggested this would happen just a few years ago, you would have been proclaimed insane. Nakamura has to win, much like Aries, it makes no sense for him to lose on his debut particularly with Zayn about to make his way up to the main roster. Unlike Corbin however, I think we know how this match goes. Back and forth and back and forth and gosh darn it I can’t wait.

Shinsuke Nakamura wins by pinfall

Bayley (C) vs. Asuka for the NXT Women’s Championship

As a certified hugger I hate to say, it but it might just be time for Bayley to hand over the belt. Her reign has been brilliant but Asuka is a genuine superstar in the making and I think she should be too much for our plucky underdog. If things go to plan, however, Sasha should be picking up the belt at WrestleMania and on the Raw afterwards we could finally hear that insanely catchy theme tune blare out on the main roster. This has a genuine chance to steal the show, and when you look at everyone else that is on this card, that is one hell of a claim to make.

Asuka wins by pinfall to become the new Women’s Champion.

Finn Balor (C) vs. Samoa Joe for the NXT World Championship

There are a lot of ifs and buts about this match and really I think what happens will depend on what WWE’s plans are with Bullet Club. If said faction is about to make its way to the main roster, then it makes sense for Joe to take the belt. If it’s not, having them debut with the champ in their ranks is an instant credibility boost. On the other hand, Joe could really use the win. He is an incredible talent but as of now he always seems to come up short on the big shows and there is only so long that he can keep doing that before his credibility starts to slip. It is that which makes me believe that we might be about to see him pick up the win. Balor has a had a great reign, but there is a lot of milage behind having a heel powerhouse dominate the division for a while as plucky babyfaces stand up to take him on.

Samoa Joe wins by pinfall to become the new NXT Champion

Random Predictions

• Someone debuts, I have no idea who but traditionally NXT do introduce a big name on their TakeOver shows.
• Enzo and Cass are involved in a match in some way. I think they are practically guaranteed to appear on the Raw after WrestleMania and they should get the send off that they deserve.
• They will keep hinting at The Bullet Club. Whether it’s Balor pulling the pose or something else they will keep pointing towards the arrival of that exciting team.