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With WrestleMania 34 just a month away, WWE is gearing up for putting up yet another brilliant NXT show with TakeOver: New Orleans. TakeOver: Philadelphia was an incredible event in the history of the NXT with Almas vs Gargano being a sure candidate for match of the year.
Now comes New Orleans, the Smoothie King Center- all jammed up for the Show of Shows which could very well set the benchmark for the coming ones. No matches have been confirmed so far but taking the current storylines into consideration, here are some of my picks that may fit well into the scene.
Check out six such matches.
#6 EC3 vs Velveteen Dream
Ever since coming back to WWE, there have been many speculations about when will EC3 make his NXT debut. What better platform than the WrestleMania weekend for him to cause some trouble. EC3 is no new name to the wrestling business and is an outstanding performer.
Another wrestler who has no opponent for Takeover is Velveteen Dream. The man who won the award for the rivalry of the year last year is brilliant at everything he does, the storytelling, the character work, the innovative ideas, and especially in the ring.
The beauty about NXT is that two superstars can put up a great match without being in a feud. Take Zayn vs Nakamura at TakeOver: Dallas for example. Pure wrestling goes a long way in establishing a career as a singles competitor.
#5 Undisputed Era vs Sanity (Losers leave NXT)
The Undisputed Era and Sanity are no strangers to each other. At NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III on August 19, Fish and O'Reilly debuted as a team, attacking the newly crowned NXT Tag Team Champions, Sanity (Alexander Wolfe and Eric Young). Later that night, the two aligned themselves with Adam Cole and formed the Undisputed Era. In December, Fish and O'Reilly defeated Sanity (Eric Young and Killian Dain) to capture the NXT Tag Team Championship, thus fuelling the rivalry even more.
What makes sense is to end the rivalry once and for all the grandest stage. A tornado tag team match with the stipulation of "Losers leave NXT" will bring out the best of all six men. This can also act as a lever for the losing team to make their main roster debut anytime after WrestleMania. The unpredictability of what each of them can do in order to win can be a cherry on the cake.
#4 U.K Championship Ladder Match (Pete Dunne (c) vs No Way Jose vs Kassius Ohno vs Trevor 'Ricochet' Mann)
The "Bruiserweight" Pete Dunne won the U.K Championship at Takeover: Chicago in 2017. Ever since he has successfully defended his title against the likes of Roderick Strong and Tyler Bate. The 24-year old has exceptional in-ring abilities and can pull off a great match with anyone.
To elevate this match to a much higher level, a ladder match with Kassius Ohno, No Way Jose, and the high flyer Trevor 'Ricochet' Mann making his NXT debut will just be an icing on the cake. Four technically gifted wrestlers will make this match one of a kind.
#3 NXT Women's Championship Match (Ember Moon (c) vs Shayna Baszler vs Kairi Sane)
Ember Moon has had her share of ups and downs failing to defeat Asuka at various occasions for the NXT Women's Championship. After the title became vacant due to Asuka's injury, she finally won a Fatal-4 Way match against Peyton Royce, Nikki Cross, and Kairi Sane to become the new NXT women's Champion.
The biggest NXT PPV of the year needs the best women wrestlers on the roster. Add in the Mae Young Classic tournament winner Kairi Sane and the ever so dangerous Shayna Baszler. Moon and Baszler have produced some of the best storytelling, wrestling and promo work in NXT. Just add Kairi Sane to it. She and "The Queen of Spades" have their share of history as well. Baszler was the one she defeated in the finals of the above-mentioned tournament.
All in all, you have a much-anticipated match with three stellar women wrestlers.
#2 Johnny Gargano vs Tommaso Ciampa
#DIY was arguably the most liked tag team in NXT history. Gargano and Ciampa had immense success together with a title reign as well. Things turned sour when Ciampa turned on Gargano and attacked him after lost a title shot against The AoP, thus disbanding the team. He even attacked Gargano after his grueling match against Almas for the NXT Championship at NXT Takeover: Philadelphia.
Friends turned foes, Gargano and Ciampa's feud has blockbuster written all over it. Give them a stipulation like "I Quit Match" or an "Iron Man Match", and you have a serious Match Of The Year candidate then and there. The raw emotions will keep you on the edge of their seats.
#1 NXT Championship Match: Aleister Black vs Andrade 'Cien' Almas (c)
Ever since defeating Drew McIntyre at Wargames for the NXT Championship, Andrade 'Cien' Almas has become a huge figure in NXT. He had a 5-star match against Johnny Gargano at NXT Takeover: Philadelphia where he successfully defended his title.
The only person who stands in his way is the mysterious Aleister Black. The dangerous superstar has left no stone unturned in making a mark in the business and is a viable threat for the NXT Championship.
There cannot be a better main event match, between two superstars who have given their all in maintaining their status and stardom. You have a showstopper written all over it.
