NXT Takeover: WAR GAMES - Last-minute predictions

Fans from all over the world are eagerly anticipating this weekend as WWE Survivor Series invades the city of Houston's Toyota Center. While the WWE Universe is honed in on big-ticket bouts such as The Shield vs. The New Day, Brock Lesnar vs. AJ Styles, as well as the men's and women's 5-on-5 traditional Survivor Series matches, let us not forget there's an equally impressive card on tap the night before....inside the very same venue.

NXT is set to bring fans the 18th instalment in the Takeover Series, but this time things are different, this time things are dangerous....this time is a time for WAR. Welcome to NXT Takeover: WAR GAMES.

With a card stacked from top-to-bottom, now is the time I dive in and offer you my final match-by-match predictions, as well what's next for some of your favourite Yellow Brand Superstars.

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WWE UK Championship

Pete Dunne(c) vs. Johnny Gargano

Huge opportunity for both stars!

Even before War Games goes live on the WWE Network, fans in attendance will be treated to one heck of a dark match to get their blood flowing. Current UK Champion Pete Dunne puts his title on the line against Johnny 'Wrestling' Gargano. The match will be televised next week on NXT TV.

On one side, we have the challenger. Johnny Gargano is coming into the match as the most well-known and probably the favourite, despite being the challenger. In the other corner, we have the upstart phenom from Birmingham, WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne.

While many NXT fans in the States are not too familiar with Dunne, he has certainly made a name for himself in the past several years. Dunne began his professional training at only 12 years old, which is absolutely unheard of. By the time he could legally drive a vehicle, fans all over the UK knew who he was.

At the end of the day, this match will come down to timing. Whichever superstar manages their time better and executes at the exact right moment, they will walk out of the Toyota Center with the strap.

JC Says

The UK Title needs to gain some relevance if they plan on having fans take it seriously...ever. With that said, as good as Pete Dunne is, Johnny Gargano is that much better and if he captures the title, it'll put the belt around the waist of someone who carries a higher profile name, which would attract higher-profile opponents.

Winner: Johnny Gargano

Aleister Black vs. Velveteen Dream

A match of two polar opposites.

When these two first began their storyline with one another, it felt very odd and somewhat forced from both ends, especially from Aleister Black. There is absolutely nothing that these two have in common, aside from possibly living in the same zip code at the moment.

Patrick Clark is an example of what can happen to you if someone backstage has an issue with you. This whole knockoff Prince gimmick is one of the laziest attempts at sabotaging a career in recent memory. Patrick Clark is a highly talented young star with an extremely high ceiling. Unfortunately for him, his actions and attitude issues while filming Tough Enough have plagued him ever since signing with the company.

As far as Black is concerned, the guy is ready for the main roster now. This match against Dream will likely be a tuneup match for a much bigger feud and possibly a chance at the NXT Championship.

JC Says

While I respect what Clark CAN do in the ring, I sincerely doubt he will be allowed to put up much of a threat against Aleister Black. This may be the lone lopsided match of the evening.

Winner: Aleister Black

Kassius Ohno vs. Lars Sullivan

This brawl features two of NXT's best heavyweights!

If there is any match on the card that could very well turn into an all-out slugfest...it's this one.

Kassius Ohno is the beloved indie-darling with a plethora of experience against some of the best in the world today. Standing directly across the ring from Ohno is a monster of a man with minimal experience, yet a ton of potential to one day be something very dangerous, at a very high level.

JC Says

This match presents an interesting dynamic where it's almost a teacher vs. student scenario. Kassius Ohno would be the hands-on favourite by many accounts. However, Lars Sullivan seems to be catching on just fine. This could be a coming out party for the 6'4', 310-pound meathead from rural Colorado.

Winner: Lars Sullivan

NXT Women's Championship(Vacant) - Fatal 4-Way Match

Peyton Royce vs. Nikki Cross vs. Ember Moon vs. Kairi Sane

Flip a coin, it'll be a barn-burner!

And then there was four....

After 523 days as the NXT Women's Champion, WWE officials finally decided Asuka was so good, that she would likely never be dethroned. With that said, Asuka was forced to vacate her title, but she was rewarded with a trip to the main roster. With her departure, there is a new standard left behind. The bar was raised by Asuka, to levels that most people will never achieve.

Luckily for fans, this match features four of the very best women's wrestlers you'll find, anywhere on the planet. Literally, any of these four could very well walk out of the Toyota Center with the title.

JC Says

Expect this one to go quite a while. This contest features four of the best up-and-coming ladies of professional wrestling and all four will need some time to shine during the match. With that being said, once the time gets distributed fairly evenly, we will probably then see the match turn into a tale of two finalists.

Winner: Ember Moon

NXT Championship Match

Drew McIntyre(c) vs. Andrade Almas

This could be the match of the evening!

At first glance, some fans may not think this matchup has any sort of potential, as far as being a show-stopper. However, as we witnessed during this week's NXT on the WWE Network, Andrade 'Cien' Almas made a huge statement to the entire NXT Universe that not only is he a legit contender for the NXT title, but if McIntyre isn't careful, we will indeed have a new champ this weekend.

Drew McIntyre is still enjoying his triumphant return to the company that once all but gave up on him. No longer is he some air-guitar playing sideshow act. Now he is on the road back to the main roster for what will likely be a much bigger run than before.

JC Says

This contest will be much like a chess match. Almas, while probably still being a heavy underdog, has proved his worth in recent months. As the rosters have been through a plethora of changes and some have come and gone, Almas has remained relevant through what appears to have been NXT's toughest period.

Unfortunately for him, his opponent is a world-class athlete who has succeeded in all four corners of the globe.

Winner: Drew McIntyre

WAR GAMES MATCH

Authors of Pain w/Roderick Strong vs. SAni†Y vs. The Undisputed Era

Put the women and children to bed....this one could get ugly!

It has been a long time since the first War Games took place. Since the original contest took place, very few have attempted to recreate this historic brain-child of the late, great Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes. But this Saturday in Houston, the Superstars of NXT will attempt to make The American Dream proud.

Three incredibly talented teams will enter the unforgiving confines known as War Games. But in the end, only one trio will prevail. So, who will it be? Will Adam Cole's Undisputed Era continue to gain momentum as they steamroll through the competition? Or will Paul Ellerings' young monstrous duo regain the status they recently lost? Perhaps the insanity of SAni†Y will prevail.

JC Says

We have waited a long time to see the infamous battle known as War Games return to life. To be quite honest, this one could really go any direction. But, when its all said and done, you can rest assured that all nine men involved will bring their very best, simply because this match represents the memory and the legacy of the late, great 'American Dream' Dusty Rhodes.

Winner: The Undisputed Era