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NXT TakeOver Chicago takes place in front of some of the most avid wrestling fans in the world, in wrestling Mecca Chicago, Illinois.
Chicago wrestling fans expect quality wrestling and these expectations certainly are not lost on Triple H and the powers that be at NXT.
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While this card may not be as star-studded as past NXT TakeOver shows, the event may prove to sneakily be one of the best NXT TakeOvers ever, as it is focused on wrestling rather than the attraction of big-name stars, something the blue collared City of Broad Shoulders can certainly appreciate.
Included in the event are matches between NXT veterans like Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa, who have already put on one of the greatest wrestling matches of all time at NXT TakeOver New Orleans.
This time the two men meet with absolutely no constraints in a brutal Chicago Street Fight. The card also features The Undisputed Era, arguably the future of NXT, taking on up and comers Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch, who hope to capture NXT tag team gold for the very first time.
The enigmatic Nikki Cross faces off against the dominating NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler in a battle for supremacy over the women's division. Also featured are two highly athletic, brilliant performers in Velveteen Dream & Ricochet, in an eagerly anticipated match of the year potential affair.
The main event promised to be spectacular as well as. Two of the most dominating performers in NXT history, Lars Sullivan and Aleister Black, clash in an NXT Championship bout of epic proportions.
While this NXT TakeOver may lack star quality on paper, this Chicago event undoubtedly has the ability to be one of the greatest NXT TakeOvers of all time.
The event will display some of what should be the greatest in-ring talent for years to come. Join us as we delve into each bout and examine its potential for greatness, as we offer our NXT TakeOver Chicago predictions.
#1 NXT Tag Team Champions The Undisputed Era vs Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch
Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch come in as the hot hand riding a tidal wave of momentum heading into NXT TakeOver Chicago. After teaming up with Pete Dunne on May 16th, Lorcan & Burch have already tasted victory over The Undisputed Era.
Still, it's difficult to see that result repeating. For one, Pete Dunne won't be with Lorcan & Burch this time and that is a huge loss.
Secondly, Undisputed Era's third man, Adam Cole, isn't featured on the card. This means one of two things; either he won't appear on the show at all (doubtful) or he will appear in this match to aid his brethren in victory in some underhanded manner.
WWE has a huge investment in Undisputed Era and undoubtedly see them as a huge part of the company's future for years to come. Don't expect that proverbial train to derail here.
Winners & STILL NXT Tag Team Champions: The Undisputed Era
#2 Ricochet vs Velveteen Dream
In all of NXT history, no talent has come further than the homegrown Velveteen Dream. After being dropped from WWE's reality television show Tough Enough, Patrick Clark was signed to an NXT developmental deal and made the most of his opportunity.
Developing the Velveteen Dream character, Clark is one-half Goldust and one half Muhammad Ali, a character for the ages with the wit, charm, and athleticism to go with it.
His athleticism mirrors that of a young Shawn Michaels and his overall ceiling is astronomically high. In fact, the Velveteen Dream character may be one of the most over characters in NXT history.
The only problem Velveteen Dream faces is Ricochet, whose talent arguably supersedes that of his brilliantly proficient opponent.
Ricochet can be compared to a young Rey Mysterio if Mysterio had wings. He is better compared to NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, who spent so much time in the air, he was able to convince people that he could actually fly.
While fans may be deprived of seeing Richochet at 100% (the star tweaked an injury earlier this week) the WWE has pulled him from live events to ensure that Richochet will be as close to healthy as possible.
Expect a battle of athleticism never before seen, as two of the greatest athletes in wrestling have an encounter for the ages.
Fans won't want to blink for this one, as Ricochet is capable of absolutely any high flying stunt that will leave jaws dropped & fans begging for more. Velveteen Dream will help tell a story in the ring, as the two men engage in a battle for NXT's future.
Still, even at less than 100%, Ricochet is too fast, too elusive, and too good to lose here. Look for his aerial maneuvering to confound Velveteen Dream and look for Richochet to gain the pinfall victory.
Winner: Ricochet
#3 NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler vs Nikki Cross
Shayna Baszler is the most dominant NXT Women's Champion since Asuka. In fact, Baszler is so domineering and so good, it's difficult imagining any woman defeating her for the elusive NXT Women's gold.
In comes, Nikki Cross, who when coming to Dakota Kai's rescue during a recent NXT taping, actually defeated an unprepared Baszler in an unsanctioned impromptu non-title match.
Cross will undoubtedly be Baszler's toughest challenge yet. The former member of Sanity is difficult to predict, as she is ruled by a sheer madness that makes her a dangerous opponent.
Difficult; however, doesn't mean impossible, especially not for a competitor as proficient as Baszler. She is a serious studious athlete and this time she will be prepared for Cross.
Look for Baszler to find a way to methodically take Cross apart, likely using Cross' own emotions against her.
An enraged Cross may be a dangerous to most NXT women; but, to Baszler, Cross' anger puts her at a serious advantage and makes her easy prey.
In her aggression, she will likely over pursue and when she does Baszler will be waiting with a rear naked chokehold for the ages. Look for Baszler to systematically punish Cross and attain victory via submission.
Winner and STILL NXT Women's Champion: Shayna Baszler
#4 Chicago Street Fight: Johnny Gargano vs Tommaso Ciampa
These two former best friends clash once again; but, this time in a Chicago Street Fight, before a bloodthirsty Chicago audience. The last time these frenemies met was in an unsanctioned match that was billed as one of the greatest matches of all time.
Dave Meltzer of the Pro Wrestling Observer awarded their last match at NXT TakeOver New Orleans an astounding five stars.
While that bout had no official rules, this bout plans to be even more brutal as it is billed as a street fight where anything goes. Ciampa has been tweeting bloody photos of himself daily, as he counts down the number of days before he can attempt to avenge his loss.
Ciampa has also vowed that Gargano will leave the event in an ambulance.
Fans can expect plenty of action outside of the ring and with the hatred these two have for each other, it's doubtful whether the 18,500 capacity Allstate Arena can even hold them in. "Lucky" fans in attendance will likely see the action spill out into the crowd and quite possibly the parking lot.
Gargano's wife, Candice LeRae, expressed concern and displeasure at Gargano's insistence in participating in this bout.
Ever the heel, look for Ciampa to use LeRae and Gargano's familial conflict to his own advantage. In fact, it's possible that LeRae may prove to be a vital component in Ciampa's quest to best his former best friend.
Look for Ciampa to expose LeRae's love and concern for her husband as Gargano's greatest weakness.
As this match promises to be an affair in brutality, look for LeRae to come to her husband's aid, while a manipulative Ciampa gets her to throw in the towel in order to achieve an underhanded victory.
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa
#5 NXT Champion Aleister Black vs Lars Sullivan
Aleister Black has been dominant since coming to NXT in 2016 & has been unstoppable in his run as NXT Champion.
Enter Lars Sullivan, a Superstar with freakish human strength. As evidenced by Sullivan's brutalization of Black on the June 13th episode of NXT, he has proven to be Black's toughest challenge to date.
Look for Sullivan to do everything he can to keep Black close, so that he may physically bend him to his will, although this may prove difficult to do. Despite Sullivan's size advantage and superhuman strength, Black, a former professional kickboxer, is simply the superior in-ring competitor.
While Sullivan will rely on his power to get him through this match, he will find himself confounded by Black's systematic approach to weakening his opponents. This will frustrate and fatigue Sullivan who will make the grave mistake of letting his guard down.
Black will use that to his advantage and Sullivan will find himself the victim of Black's lethal roundhouse kick. That will be enough for Black to leave NXT TakeOver Chicago the victor with his NXT Championship in tow.
Winner and STILL NXT Champion: Aleister Black
Do you agree with the predictions for NXT Takeover Chicago? Sound off in the comments section below!
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