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We've just got word that the Superstars of NXT were held up at Orlando Airport, for thirteen hours, ahead of their flight to New York for the third edition of NXT Takeover in Brooklyn. Sometimes, the wait lights a fire in your belly to outshine expectations and create history.
Also follow: WWE NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III, 2017 Results, Live Updates and Commentary
The men and women who will be part of this Takeover event know that this is their biggest stage yet and should put on a show that will be remembered for a very long time. Let's examine the matches, one after the other, and ascertain who goes over whom in each particular encounter.
#5 A hard hitting non-title encounter
Sometimes, matches don't even need a title on the line to be special. Aleister Black is an undefeated superstar on the rise, and it is clear that WWE has special plans for the Dutchman. After all, he has also appeared on the main roster, as a part of WWE Main Event previously. Put him in the ring against someone like Hideo Itami — a man with a furious temper combined with a newfound aggression — and you have the stage for a modern day classic.
We must admit that as exciting as Itami has looked as a borderline heel, we simply cannot see Black losing a match and all the momentum that he has built up over the last few months. Black is almost like the male version of Asuka right now and is, in many ways, completely bulletproof at the moment. We think he will win the match with his patented 'Black Mass' spin kick and move on to bigger and better programs soon. This should be an absolutely stunning match, in any case.
Winner: Aleister Black
#4 Who begins his legacy at Takeover: Brooklyn?
At the conclusion of Takeover in Chicago, we saw Tommaso Ciampa turn on his partner, Johnny Gargano, thereby ending their alliance. The fans were shocked to see that this inseparable team would exist no more. In many ways, it was more shocking than the split between Enzo and Big Cass. Now, Gargano is ready to commence on a singles career and seems determined to start his legacy at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III.
On the other hand, Andrade 'Cien' Almas had lost his way to wine and women and went on a losing streak that almost rivalled that of Curt Hawkins in the main roster (okay, not quite). Until a gorgeous woman stepped into his life and got his life back on-track again. Now, he is a much tougher competitor and cannot wait to get back in the mix.
What makes this contest intriguing is that neither man can afford to lose on such a grand stage. We'll pick Gargano simply because we must pick someone and he is the babyface.
Winner: Johnny Gargano.
#3 A mammoth heel vs. heel clash
The Authors of Pain have never looked vulnerable, until now. While they do have Paul Ellering in their corner, he simply is no match for Eric Young and Nikki Cross, who will be in SAnitY's corner. This is yet another match that is impossible to predict, but we must go with the champions this time because we expect this to be a long, drawn out feud over months. There simply isn't another team on the roster that is ready for the champs, at the moment. So, we predict that the Authors of Pain will win, but only by the skin of their teeth.
Winners: Authors of Pain
#2 A historic streak ends?
Asuka has reigned supreme at the top of the NXT Women's Division for over 500 days, eclipsing even Goldberg's undefeated streak. Ember Moon tried to dethrone her in the past but was unsuccessful. This time she seems more determined than ever to claim the top prize and ascend to the top of the NXT Women's Division. Considering the way things have played out, we believe that it just may be her time to shine bright like the full moon in the sky.
In our opinion, 'The' top rope corkscrew stunner called 'The Eclipse' will manage to do what nothing else has done thus far: end the historic run of Asuka for good.
Winner: Ember Moon
1: Yet another 3MB member wins the prize?
Drew McIntyre is in WWE once again, but he is a changed man. While his 3MB compadre, 'The Maharaja' Jinder Mahal, rules the roost as the WWE Champion, McIntyre has the opportunity to become the NXT Champion in Brooklyn. He takes on Bobby Roode, arguably the best heel NXT Champion in recent memory, and definitely the champ with the catchiest entrance theme in WWE today. Their clash should be titanic — the expression that is. We do not mean a sinking ship, in this case at least.
The X-Factor in this match is Roderick Strong, a man who still has unfinished business with Bobby Roode. Will he make an appearance at Takeover, and tip the balance in McIntyre's favour? Will his interference cause McIntyre to not become NXT Champion? We will take the plunge, and say that Drew McIntyre wins the big match.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
Do you agree with our assessment? Join us in a few hours for our live coverage from Brooklyn!
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