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Coming off the heels of a fantastic NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, we are already just two months away from the next TakeOver event, and what will possibly be the biggest so far, NXT TakeOver: New Orleans.
Taking place on WrestleMania eve, this TakeOver will already have a lot to prove. NXT already has a strong track record of stealing the weekend during WWE pay-per-view weekends when both are scheduled, and New Orleans may be no different, especially if these possible matches are likely to happen.
I fully expect WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne, Roderick Strong, Ricochet, War Machine, the Authors of Pain, Velveteen Dream, the Iconic Duo and Kairi Sane to be involved in some capacity as well.
#5 Kassius Ohno vs. EC3 (In-ring re-debut)
Former Impact Wrestling World Champion EC3 made his return to WWE NXT at TakeOver: Philadelphia. As of this writing, WWE has already taped a couple weeks worth of NXT broadcasts and so far, EC3 has not appeared on them. With just 2 months to go until NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, I think it is quite possible that WWE may save EC3's in-ring return for TakeOver.
And who better for him to face but the man who seems to have become the 'Dolph Ziggler' of NXT, Kassius Ohno. Yes, Kassius seems to be stuck in the role of facing new NXT stars as their first big challenge, and I can't see his position changing over the next 2 months. Therefore I think Kassius may just be the first in line to face the future of the brand, EC3.
#4 SAnitY vs. The Undisputed Era
Ever since Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, and Kyle O'Reilly formed The Undisputed Era in NXT, it has been non-stop with the psychotic SAnitY, only made worse when Bobby and Kyle defeated Eric and Killian for the NXT Tag Team Championship back in December.
Eric Young and his band of weirdos have made it clear that there is only room for one dominant faction in NXT and it seems like they won't stop until one of them is completely gone from the brand. Whether it is for the NXT Tag Team titles or not, I can see a 6 man tag team match pitting Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, and Killian Dain, with Nikki Cross, against Adam Cole, Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly in a war too finally settle the score.
#3 Ember Moon vs. Shayna Bazler
NXT Women's Champion Ember Moon just barely survived her NXT Women's Championship match with Shayna Bazler at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia.
Shayna dominated the majority of this contest, with a series of MMA style kicks and submission holds, only to have Moon counter a cross armbreaker into a pin to retain the title. After the match, Baszler attacked Moon and applied the Kirifuda Clutch, forcing her to pass out, and revealing that WWE has no plans on ending this feud after this match. Ember and Shayna will collide again for the NXT Women's Championship, and I can't imagine a better time and place than NXT TakeOver: New Orleans.
#2 Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas vs. Aleister Black
Two men who are no strangers to facing each other at NXT TakeOver, Aleister Black and NXT Champion Andrade 'Cien' Almas faced off during the WrestleMania 33 weekend at NXT TakeOver: Florida last year.
At the time, Andrade seemed to be in a similar position that Kassius Ohno is in today, that dependable worker who can help elevate the newer talent. Over the course of the past year, however, Andrade managed to shed that image thanks to a bit of a gimmick change, a new manager in Zelina Vega and more passion in his performances. Aleister Black seems to be the fastest rising star in all of NXT, having a very impressive win/loss record, and winner of the 2017 NXT Year-End Awards for Male Competitor of the Year, Breakout Star of the Year and Rivalry of the Year (with Velveteen Dream). This match only seems natural for the grand stage.
#1 Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa
This match is without a doubt a certainty to take place. Tommaso Ciampa shockingly turned on his #DIY partner Johnny Gargano at NXT TakeOver: Chicago, following an unsuccessful Tag Team Championship match with the Authors of Pain.
It was later revealed that Ciampa had suffered a ruptured ACL in his right knee and would need surgery. The surgery was successful and Ciampa's return time was estimated at about 6 - 9 months. Ciampa returned at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, following his instant classic main event with Andrade 'Cien' Almas, attacking Johnny with a crutch to end the show. Ciampa has still not been cleared to compete but he is apparently showing signs that he will be good to go for New Orleans, and his appearance in Philadelphia was to remind us that he will be back, and he is not finished with Johnny Gargano.
