NXT TakeOver 31 Predictions: Who will triumph on a stacked card?

Hot on the heels of an eventful Clash Of Champions: Gold Rush, WWE is back with another pay-per-view this Sunday in the form of NXT Takeover 31.

The WWE Universe could be in for a revamped product. NXT's founder and Executive Producer Triple H has teased a new look and feel for the upcoming show, and speculations are rife on NXT venturing into ThunderDome.

Without further ado, let's run down into our predictions for NXT TakeOver 31.

NXT Cruiserweight Championship Match: Santos Escobar (C) vs. Isaiah "Swerve" Scott

The Cruiserweight Championship has been part of NXT for over an year now, but this is the first time the title will be defended at a TakeOver event. The leader of "Legado del Fantasma" has had a great run, both time-wise and in-ring wise.

Scott will fancy his chances, as he is the only one who has pinned the champ since his arrival in NXT. Scott defeated the then-masked luchador at the NXT Cruiserwight Championship Tournament and recently pinned him in a six-man Street Fight alongside Breezango. Escobar and his two mean buddies should be too much for Scott, so the former should pick up a cheap win.

WWE will likely stretch out this feud a little bit longer until Kushida comes calling.

Match Prediction: Santos Escobar

NXT North American Championship Match: Damian Priest (C) vs. Johnny Gargano

Damian Priest is early into his title reign and is growing into his role as a top guy in the black and gold brand. He has flourised as a character recently, with a big part being thanks to his title win.

The Garganos pursuing gold has been a great story all along. Johnny Gargano is one of the most decorated wrestlers in NXT history. He's been solid for so long that it has got to a point where he can eat up a few losses and still be Johnny Wrestling.

Priest should retain, unluckily for Johnny, but things could go better for his wife later on in the night.

Match Prediction: Damian Priest

NXT Singles Match: Kushida vs. Velveteen Dream

This match could go either way. The bout has been designed in such a way to get one of the two back in a title picture and blow off their feud. Kushida's recent intense character arc has been a welcome change and his aggressive persona has got the better of Dream on recent NXT TV tapings.

A high-profile victory has eluded Velveteen Dream for a while now. A win here could push him back up the card, while a big triumph here could put Kushida in pole position to challenge Escobar for the Cruiserweight title.

It's make or break for Kushida and a loss here would be more damaging to him than Dream.

Match Prediction: Kushida

NXT Women's Championship: Io Shirai (C) vs. Candice LeRae

This will be the second TakeOver title match between the duo and another technical masterpiece is guaranteed. LeRae is on a high after winning a great Battle Royal to become the No. 1 contender to her familiar foe's title.

"The Genius of the Sky" has been on a roll since June, overcoming every challenger on her way, and it doesn't feel like she is letting go off her gold anytime soon.

At present, it's tough to pick someone againt Shirai. The Garganos' time will come, but not tonight.

Match Prediction: Io Shirai

NXT Championship Match: Finn Balor (C) vs. Kyle O'Reilly

WWE have hyped this contest in such a way that we have never been so much invested in a recent NXT match. On the September 23rd episode of NXT, Kyle O'Reilly won a Gauntlet Eliminator to face fellow NJPW great Finn Balor for his first singles gold.

O'Reilly will have great stories to tell as champion, with tension and jealousy brewing between him and his Undisputed Era leader Adam Cole. After going back and forth with this one, we're tipping Finn Balor to retain, but by very fine margins.

With Balor being the bigger star, him holding the championship is best for business, considering the Wednesday Night Wars. We don't want this to happen, but Vince and Co. could start planting the seeds for the explosion of Undisputed Era.