'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#5 Pete Dunne and Kushida battle for technical supremacy at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver
At NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, Pete Dunne will try to back up his claim of being the best technical wrestler in the world. Once he made that declaration, it foreshadowed that he'd have a featured bout at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
Kushida made the same claim in a backstage promo, so it appeared as if the writing was on the wall. Both men were a part of the Gauntlet Battle Royal Eliminator for the NXT North American Championship. The duo was eliminated together as Kushida held on to the Hoverboard Lock while both men went over the top rope.
Both stars can claim to be technical savants, but it's extremely difficult to decide which man is better. It's likely a matter of opinion or favor, but both Kushida and Dunne are among the best wrestlers in the world. They'll look to prove just that to the other man at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
This match also seems like a contest between two men who should be challenging for the NXT title at some point in 2021. Dunne has already had a few shots at the belt but has yet to join Rhea Ripley as stars to win gold in both NXT and NXT UK.
Kushida, while a cruiserweight, is more formidable than his size would suggest. He's physically dominating despite his stature and is among the best in the game with submissions.
The only certain with this showdown is that limbs will be pulled in directions that they should not be pulled. Each man will hurt the other. Whoever comes out intact and with the win can claim that they are the best technical wrestler after NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
Both men need a big win to propel them up the card. Dunne has had some time in the main event and in the upper mid-card of the Black and Gold brand. He's a former NXT Tag Team Champion alongside Riddle.
Kushida has not had any title success and needs a huge win to cement himself in the upper mid-card and main event level. For that reason, The Time Splitter will likely walk out victorious at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
Prediction - Kushida walks out with the win and fewer broken fingers than Dunne.
