By Laura Mauro @lauranmauro
Forget SummerSlam, there’s only one event that matters this weekend: NXT TakeOver is back, and not even Aleister Black’s torn groin can dull the sense of anticipation. TakeOvers always deliver, and TakeOver Brooklyn is looking very much like it’ll keep that proud tradition going. Don’t believe me? Check out this card:
NXT Championship Match: Tommaso Ciampa (c) vs Johnny Gargano in a Last Man Standing match
I mean, really, who doesn’t enjoy watching these two knock the tar out of one another? The latest instalment of the Ciampa/Gargano saga has admittedly lost something in the wake of Aleister Black’s injury – the previously promised Triple Threat held the potential for some truly interesting character development, and frankly Aleister Black deserves to headline a TakeOver at least once before they send him up to the main roster to die.
Regardless, this one is going to be another must-see. I doubt Gargano is going to win the belt at this stage – it’s too soon, and besides, watching Johnny Wrestling’s slow downfall is far more compelling a story than just throwing the title at him and calling it retribution. But don’t discount the possibility of outside interference either – the change to the match format is very last-minute, and it’ll be interesting to see how much of the originally-planned match remains intact.
Prediction: Tommaso Ciampa to retain the title.
NXT Tag Team Championship: Undisputed Era (c) vs Moustache Mountain
It always struck me as incredibly unfair that Moustache Mountain captured the titles at the Royal Albert Hall, only to lose them a few days later – a transparent attempt at creating hype over the NXT UK shows (to be fair, it worked). That said, they’ve had two incredible matches so far, and there’s every reason to believe this one is going to be just as good. Tyler Bate is freakishly talented, particularly given his young age, and gifted-but-dull Roderick Strong seems to have found new life as part of loveably arrogant collective Undisputed Era, and the teams have a uniquely brutal chemistry that makes for excellent viewing.
The only proper outcome would be for Tyler Bate & Trent Seven to take back the titles and enjoy the reign they both richly deserve – and that’s the outcome I’ll be rooting for.
Prediction: Moustache Mountain to win the titles.
NXT North American Championship: Adam Cole (c) vs Ricochet
We really are being spoilt this time around. If you watched the inaugural North American Championship ladder match, you’ll know why this one is incredibly exciting. Ricochet is a joy to watch – arguably one of the best in the world right now – while Adam Cole is all about the character work. Brilliantly smarmy, Cole is not afraid to take ridiculous bumps, and he’s handy in the ring in his own right. The anticipation here is white hot, but I can’t see Cole losing the title already, and Ricochet is so over that a loss is unlikely to hurt him at this stage – whereas dropping the belt after such a short duration as champ is likely to hurt both Cole and the prestige of the title. Ricochet has plenty of time to win gold, and Cole has a lot of life left in him as champ.
Prediction: Adam Cole to retain the title
NXT Women’s Championship: Shayna Baszler (c) vs Kairi Sane
Shayna has really shone in her role as monster heel, and it’s been great to watch her progress from in-ring rookie to someone noticeably more self-assured, both in her character and her ability. Comparisons with Samoa Joe are perfectly apt: Baszler carries herself with vicious swagger, and it’s completely believable that she has run over most of the roster in her reign as champion. But I think Baszler’s time is coming to a close, and Kairi Sane – winner of the first Mae Young classic – is overdue her time in the spotlight. With Sane established as a never-say-die babyface with an impressive arsenal of hard-hitting strikes, she is Baszler’s most believable opponent to date, and it’s time to take advantage of Sane’s popularity – not least because it will make winning the Mae Young Classic look important just as the second tournament as about to begin.
Prediction: Kairi Sane to win the title.
Velveteen Dream vs EC3
This is a battle of the personalities. EC3 is decent in the ring, but he shines best when he gets the chance to play up to his overconfident persona. Velveteen Dream, however, is adept both on the mic and in the ring, and that’s likely to lift this from being a reasonably fun bout to something impressive. The Dream is already the full package, and pitting him against someone equally charismatic – and even more physically imposing – ought to make this one very interesting indeed. Dream has proven his ability in spite of several high-profile losses, and EC3 arguably needs a win to establish himself as a potential major player on the NXT title scene.
Prediction: EC3 to win.
