What's happening folks! Glad as always you could join me, and man oh man do I have an exciting previews & predictions post today. This evening, the WWE Network will present NXT's quarterly special, Takeover. Tonight's event, NXT Takeover: Unstoppable, will attempt to continue to expand their already devoted audience and show why they're truly the brand on the rise, other than Lucha Underground and Global Force, in the sport today. Since their first major NXT Takeover special, they've been all the buzz, and in most cases they've forced their major league competitors to step their game up and provide better quality with their product, especially for the pay per views. Exceptional matches and memorable debuts have been tthe norm for the NXT specials and this looks to be no different. With that being said, let's begin.
NXT Title
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens (c)
Quite frankly, this is the best rivalry on either roster. Of course this rivsalry has gone back over a decade and has produced some of the most memorable classics ever seen in our sport in the indies. Back when they were El Generico and Kevin Steen, they've sent each other to hospitals and have hurt each other on numerous occasions. Their most recent encounter in the indies was actually at ROH's pay per view, Border Wars in a Ladder Match, in which Steen (Owens) put Generico (Zayn) in his vaunted package piledriver through a ladder. Insane stuff! However, their last encounter on NXT resulted in a hell of a match, but the ref stopped the match due to kayfabe injuries sustained by Zayn so Owens won the NXT title. With their recent contract signing and other altercations leading up to tonight's match, you can expect a match of the year candidtae with this one, even moreso than the last encounter. Also, based on the epic altercation this past Monday between Owens and U.S. Champion John Cena, don't be surprised of Cena showed up for this one to either cost Owens or to get him after the match. This will be a hard one, but I'm going to say that Sami will walk away a two-time NXT Champion.
Winner & new champion: Sami Zayn
NXT Tag Team Titles
Enzo Amore & Colin Cassidy vs. Wesley Blake and Buddy Murphy (or shortened to Blake & Murphy) (c)
This will be an fairly entertaining match, if not for nothing else, Cassidy and Amore are a very funny, yet highly talented, team and this could finally be the big win for them. Blake & Murphy have been a surprisingly very good team to hold the belts. They've finally gotten over as this annoying team that you 're starting to love to hate (think a young Edge & Christian) and with them making advances with Amore & Cass' friend Carmella. While this may not be a potential classic like the main event, I expect good things from this match, but unfortunately I have to go with Blake & Murphy for the win simply to continue their momentum.
Winners: Blake & Murphy
NXT Women's Title
Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks (c)
This will likely be a wildcard and the undercard show stealer. The young lady known as "The Boss" Sasha Banks scored a much deserved win at the last NXT Takeover event to become the NXT Women's Champion. Don't let her fool tiny size fool you as she has become a very talented in-ring performer gradually throughout the past year especially. Becky, meanwhile, is a hellacious talent that has been wrestling for over a decade now. This young lady, who was trained by Finn Balor at the age of seventeen, has been wrestling in Japan, France, and all over Europe. She has come a long way since her debut in 2013, and now she has become a bonafide threat to the title. Look for a spectacular match and possibly the breakout match for Lynch, but I expect banks to remain champion, if not barely.
Winner: Sasha Banks
Charlotte & Bayley vs. Dana Brooke and Emma
Staying with the women's division, this should be an interesting tag match. I'm not going to put it up there as a highly anticipated match of the evening, but I think it'll be a good match to start with. What's intriguing here is the heel persona of Emma, which to be honest I don't see going over too long. She's a natural babyface and she needs to own it. Her partner is a newcomer but is not too bad in the ring, although hopefully she'll improve greatly over the next several months with Sara Del Ray as her teacher. I expect Charlotte and miss hugger herself, Bayley, to come away with the win.
Winners: Charlotte & Bayley
Baron Corbin vs. Rhyno
How nuts was it to see "The Man-Beast" return to the WWE after being gone for over a decade? He looks better than ever, and a career resurgance at this point in time wouldn't be so bad. The former ECW Champion (the REAL ECW) is facing the intimidating and awesome "Big Bad Wolf" Baron Corbin. The former Arizona Cardinal linebacker has been nothing short of a badass since debuting last year. This will be a big test for both men and I see this as being a rough and rugged affair. Don't expect any scientific stuff here folks. Asses will get kicked here. I'm going with Corbin in this one, but this won't be a walk in the park for neither man.
Winner: Baron Corbin
Contenders Match for NXT Title
Finn Balor vs. Tyler Breeze
Originally slated as a triple threat match, Hideo Itami won't be able to wrestle due to his shoulder injury so the match will now be a one on one affair between "Prince Pretty" and the phenomenon formerly known as Prince Devitt internationally. I'm a pretty big Breeze fan, as he has shown his more aggressive side and has what it takes to be a good main roster mainstay if marketed right. However, Balor is a sight to see. His ring entrances are stuff of legend and his in-ring style is second to none. I expect the "Demon King" persona of Balor this evening, and that spells trouble for Breeze. This will be another big time match that could be a potential show stealer (definitely if Itami were to have still been in the match), but I expect Balor to emerge victorious.
Winner: Finn Balor
This will be a fantastic evening of athleticism and in-ring storytelling. What could make this event historic would be if the rumors prove to be true and we see the debut appearence of the legendary Samoa Joe in NXT. Rumors have been rampant about seeing Joe on NXT and there's no better stage than tonight, as well as the recently signed indie fave Uhaa Nation. Come back tomorrow for my review of NXT Takeover: unstoppable. See you guys and gals then! Enjoy tonight's potentially epic show.
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