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NXT TakeOver is back. Just two weeks removed from the NXT: UK TakeOver show in Blackpool, England, NXT is back in the United States on Royal Rumble weekend from Phoenix, Arizona.
The five-match card is stacked with major matches and the biggest stars NXT has to offer.
Many of the bouts are intriguing as they feature participants who seemingly may not be long for the NXT brand are destined to make the jump to main roster WWE television very soon. As such a major consideration to any predicted winners is how likely they and their opponents are to transition to Raw or Smackdown in the near future.
WWE's main two brands have seen an influx of NXT talent debut on their rosters over the past couple of weeks: Nikki Cross, EC3, Heavy Machinery and Lacey Evans.
Lars Sullivan is also reported to be about to make his main roster debut imminently. It remains to be seen whether these stars can translate NXT success to the main roster. EC3 and Lars Sullivan are both Vince McMahon type wrestlers are will likely receive every opportunity to succeed. However, for every Shield or Finn Balor, there is a Revival or Ascension or No Way Jose who have been abject failures on main roster television.
The NXT TakeOver shows have now expanded to encompass the NXT UK brand which may give those talents who have outgrown NXT in the United States who do not succeed on the main roster another place to work. For many NXT is the premier brand in all of WWE and a stacked TakeOver show looks set to deliver huge in the ring and further and conclude some exciting storylines.
So, without further delay, let's get to the five-match NXT TakeOver: Phoenix card as SK predicts who will be the big winners on the show.
#5 Matt Riddle vs Kassius Ohno
Matt Riddle vs Kassius Ohno is the only non-title match on the NXT TakeOver card and is probably the most predictable match on the show. Riddle has already defeated Ohno once and there is no reason to expect a different result this time.
The former UFC star is a big money investment for WWE and the lifelong wrestling fan has taken to WWE like a duck to water. In comparison, Ohno is a veteran, who merely exists in WWE to make other talents look good. With his undefined physique and advancing age, he is never going to be considered for a main roster spot.
Therefore, there appears to be zero reason to halt Riddle's momentum here. He will crush Ohno once again and move on to bigger and better things in NXT and beyond.
Prediction: Matt Riddle
#4 Ricochet vs Johnny Gargano - North American Championship
Now this will be something special. Ricochet and Johnny Gargano will likely tear the house down with their athletic and innovative high flying spots but who will win?
Gargano, after almost four years in the WWE system and over three in NXT, has done almost everything possible there is to do in WWE's third brand.
Despite wrestling all of NXT's top names on multiple occasions, Gargano has never held a singles title in WWE. Will that change on Saturday night?
Unlikely. There seems to be little to gain from a Gargano win. He works better as a challenger, which is the reason why he is yet to lift a singles belt and he will not be any more over should he win.
Ricochet, in contrast, could be harmed by a loss and in this early stage of his NXT journey, the last thing WWE wants to do is derail him. This is one title that definitely will not change hands on the TakeOver card.
Prediction: Ricochet
#3 The Undisputed Era vs War Raiders - NXT Tag Team Championship
The NXT Tag Team Championship is on the line when the champions, The Undisputed Era are challenged by The War Raiders for the straps.
The Undisputed Era has been the premier team in NXT for 18 months now and have reigned as champions since June 2018 when they defeated Moustache Mountain for the belts.
Needless to say, their long reign has seen them outgrow their surroundings in NXT and conversely makes them the favourites to drop the straps here.
The War Raiders have been in the WWE machine for 12 months and after travelling the globe as a team prior to their WWE run, enjoying success in Ring of Honor and New Japan and elsewhere, the tandem has been in NXT long enough to be champions now.
Their run will start at TakeOver as they displace The Undisputed Era as the number one team on the third brand.
Prediction: The War Raiders
#2 Shayna Baszler vs Bianca Belair - NXT Women's Championship
Shayna Baszler shocked many when she lifted the NXT Women's Championship for a second time at WWE's first all-female pay per view, Evolution back in October.
Most observers had expected Baszler's main roster call up to be imminent such is the wealth of storyline possibilities for her as an ally or opponent of Raw Women's Champion, Ronda Rousey.
However, those who watched the Evolution card closely will have realised that the interference of Baszler's fellow Four Horsewomen allies, Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir in that match-up with Kairi Sane has confirmed that Baszler's home, for now, is NXT.
It seems highly unlikely that Baszler will make the jump to the main roster without Duke and Shafir and those two women need far more seasoning before they can wrestle on either Raw or Smackdown. Therefore don't expect Baszler to drop the belt before Wrestlemania weekend, at the earliest.
Bianca Belair is an exciting prospect for WWE and does seem destined to be the one to dethrone Baszler, however NXT TakeOver: Phoenix will come too soon. Belair needs to bide her time.
Prediction: Shayna Baszler
#1 Tommaso Ciampa vs Aleister Black - NXT Championship
The battle of the beards main events NXT TakeOver: Phoenix and is an enticing headliner.
Aleister Black is hot right now, following his return from injury and his involvement in the whodunit storyline which saw Johnny Gargano revealed as his mystery attacker.
Black dispatched Gargano at TakeOver: WarGames and now has the opportunity to reclaim the title he lost last summer vs the man who defeated him for the belt in Tommaso Ciampa.
This is a difficult one to call as both men are incredible performers and could quite easily be transitioned to the main roster immediately. Ironically, the loser of this bout, therefore, could be the man who WWE ultimately have grander plans for in 2019.
But will that be, Ciampa or Black?
Black's someone who it is easier to envisage on WWE main roster television with his tortured character and elaborate entrance; he would be a perfect opponent for The Undertaker.
However, it does not feel as if his journey in NXT is finished yet which is in contrast with Ciampa, who feels as if he has done it all at Full Sail. Black will regain the belt here and likely hold on to it until at least the summer.
Ciampa could well find his way to Raw or Smackdown in the very near future.
Prediction: Aleister Black
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