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NXT has been killing it for the past few years now, and NXT Takeover: New York over WrestleMania weekend will no doubt continue that streak, as they've put together arguably the strongest card in Takeover history. Unfortunately we won't be seeing the 5th instalment of Gargano vs. Ciampa (if you count their CWC classic), but the rest of the card is absolutely stacked, with all 5 matches perennial Match of the Year candidates, and we can't wait for WrestleMania week to arrive.
NXT Takeover always manages to outshine the main roster, but this time it's almost a guarantee considering WrestleMania will feature a 16-17 match card, but lets get into specifics. Today, we are going to look at each and every match on the card and provide 5 predictions for what we think will be a classic show in New York for yet another highly anticipated Takeover.
#5 The Tag Team Streak Continues
After dethroning the Undisputed Era back in Phoenix, War Raiders (Hanson and Raymond Rowe) have their first defence here, and it's against the unlikely yet incredibly talented duo of Aleister Black and Ricochet. All 4 of these men are really great inside the ring, and with it likely being the farewell of Black and Ricochet on NXT, they'll look to go out and steal the show.
It's not exactly a bold prediction, but it's quite an easy one: the tag team match for what seems like the 15th time in a row will be an absolute classic. Dating back to the days of DIY, American Alpha, AOP and The Revival, each and every Takeover has featured an incredible tag team bout, where each seemingly tops the last, and at New York where the lights shine brightest, all 4 of these men will continue that trend in what may be the shows opening bout.
#4 'Limitless' Keith Lee Turns On His Bro
Many people expected to see this one at NXT Takeover: Phoenix over Royal Rumble weekend, but now that he's officially making his Takeover debut, it's time for Keith Lee to become a big star in NXT. The story here is simple: Lee came to the WWE before Matt as their latest big name signing, but Matt Riddle has been getting all the chances since arriving, and pure jealousy could drive Keith to turn on his dear friend here.
Matt is a great face as he's a very likeable star, but Keith Lee can play either side of the fence, and allowing him to play a heel will help him utilise his physicality a lot more. Both of these men have the potential to main event any show in the WWE, and with the recent departures from the program, pushing these two to the top with a big rivalry would be great for both men, and this just makes so much sense right now.
#3 The Queen Of Spades Goes Down
Shayna Baszler has been running roughshod over the NXT Women's division for quite some time now, and with Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke by her side, she seems unbeatable; but at Takeover, she has 3 fantastic opponents to deal with. Kairi Sane, Bianca Belair and Io Shirai will all be chasing the top prize in NXT, and with a promotion to the main roster not too far away for The Queen of Spades, it's easy to see her losing the Championship here.
The beauty of the Fatal 4-Way match is that Shayna doesn't even need to eat the fall to lose her Championship, and it's a great way of keeping her credibility as she ascends to the main roster. With these 3 women, Mia Him, Candice LeRae, Rhea Ripley and Dakota Kai & Tegan Nox when they return from injury, the NXT Women's division is loaded with talent, and it's time for Shayna to move up and on, but that means going down here in New York.
#2 Johnny Wrestling Becomes NXT's First Grand Slam Champion
Johnny Gargano has been with NXT for years now, and over that time he's won both the NXT Tag Team Championship and the North American Championship, so now it's time for Johnny to complete the trifecta. After his bitter rival-turned friend-turned rival Tomasso Ciampa suffered an injury, the top title in NXT has been vacated and he will battle the Undisputed Era's leader Adam Cole to get to the top of the mountain.
As NXT always manage to do, they've given us a very new, fresh rivalry for an NXT, and they've turned tragedy into what will be an amazing match, and a long-awaited coronation. Over the past 16 months, Johnny Takeover has put on classic after classic, but he's never managed to win the big one, and with his biggest rival out of the way, it's time for Johnny to rule over NXT, the way he's supposed too.
#1 Matt Riddle and Velveteen Dream Steal The Show
The Velveteen Dream is the most charismatic and captivating performer in NXT right now, and after beating Johnny Gargano to become the North American Champion, he knew he'd be hunted, but he got the biggest test right off the bat. The two men have yet to collide in NXT, but given Riddle's meteoric rise and Dream's fantastic run over the past year, it was bound to happen, and if they're given enough time, this one will easily steal the show, if not WrestleMania weekend.
The two couldn't be more different, with Riddle utilising his laid back charm and legitimate background, while the Dream is over the top, flamboyant and different to anything we've ever seen in the company. The match may not be the biggest on the card given that Johnny Gargano and Adam Cole are fighting for the vacant NXT Championship, but in terms of potential for both in-ring work and entertainment value combined, this could be one of the best matches in NXT history.
