NXT Takeover: New Orleans Predictions
It’s always one of the biggest Takeovers of the year, so we got our biggest prediction panels together to predict what’ll happen tonight at NXT Takeover: New Orleans.
This panel is comprised of staff members who regularly contribute to wrestling on the site throughout the year.
Here’s the card for the show…
NXT Title Match: Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Aleister Black
North American Title Match Ladder Match: EC3 vs. Ricochet vs. Adam Cole vs. Killian Dane vs. Lars Sullivan vs. The Velveteen Dream
Women’s Title Match: Ember Moon (C) vs. Shayna Bazsler
Dusty Rhodes Classic Finals/NXT Tag Title Match: Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly (C) vs. Authors of Pain vs. Pete Dunne & Roderick Strong
Unsanctioned Match: Johnny Gargano vs. Tomasso Ciampa
Rob Crowther IV (Pop Break Contributor, Drummer for the band Vextion, Host of the Bob Culture Podcast)
Title Match: Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Aleister Black: Annnnddd Your NEW NXT CHAMPION, ALEISTER BLACK. I don’t want to get ahead of myself but this dude has somewhat of an Undertaker type mystique about him. A personal favorite of mine, I expect big things throughout the Dutch Destroyer’s career. Plus, I believe he is undefeated in singles competition.
North American Title Match Ladder Match: EC3 vs. Ricochet vs. Adam Cole vs. Killian Dane vs. Lars Sullivan vs. The Velveteen Dream: He’s great at what he does, but I’m not a huge fan of the Velveteen Dream. (Nor am I really supposed to be) I’ll always think of him as Patrick Clark from Tough Enough going, “But you Should Know!” referring to respecting the WWE’s history. I hate to say it, but the Velveteen Dream takes it.
Women’s Title Match: Ember Moon (C) vs. Shayna Bazsler: They reaaaaalllly like Shayna Bazsler. I have a bad feeling this is not going to end well for Ember Moon. I hope I’m wrong but I think Shayna Bazsler is your new women’s NXT champ.
Dusty Rhodes Classic Finals/NXT Tag Title Match: Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly (C) vs. Authors of Pain vs. Pete Dunne & Roderick Strong: I don’t see AOP winning the Dusty Rhodes Classic twice and think they are probably going to show up on RAW or SMACKDOWN immediately after Takeover. This is a tough one, but I’m gonna go with the Undisputed Era even though they are at a disadvantage with Adam Cole fighting twice that night. This ultimately may lead to Strong again challenging Dunne for the UK Championship.
Unsanctioned Match: Johnny Gargano vs. Tomasso Ciampa: This a tough one. It really depends if they want to stretch this feud out. Gargano is due for a big win and will probably become the face of NXT down the line. There also has to be a way for him to officially come back to NXT. For these reasons, I predict Gargano getting his revenge on Ciampa and winning the match.
Nick Porcaro (Senior Staff Writer, Guitarist Matt Scuteri & The Jive Stewards)
NXT Title Match: Andrade “Cien” Almas (C) vs. Aleister Black: Almas has been on fire ever since pairing with Zelina Vega. Meanwhile, Aleister Black is more than ready for a main roster call-up.
North American Title Match Ladder Match: EC3 vs. Ricochet vs. Adam Cole vs. Killian Dane vs. Lars Sullivan vs. The Velveteen Dream: I haven’t been following this feud at all, so it’s anyone’s title to win in my book. One of the newcomers is a safe bet.
Women’s Title Match: Ember Moon (C) vs. Shayna Baszler: Ember’s character is dead in the water. Give the title to Shayna and have her continue to wreak havoc over a formidable women’s division.
Dusty Rhodes Classic Finals/NXT Tag Title Match: Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly (C) vs. Authors of Pain vs. Pete Dunne & Roderick Strong: Authors of Pain are destined for RAW and, hopefully, a pairing with Samoa Joe. Pete Dunne & Roderick Strong can feud for a while. This one goes to The Undisputed ERA, baybayyyyyyy!
Unsanctioned Match: Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa: A feud as heated and anticipated as this can’t die after one match, so Johnny Wrestling must make his way back to NXT. Papa Haitch will give us a feel-good moment for the ages.
Kenny Pete (Pop Break Contributor, Drummer for Dub Proof, Manager/El Jefe for The Mystery Men):
NXT Title Match: Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Aleister Black: This will be an outstanding main event & Black will be a made man in a losing effort, will debut on RAW following the Mania of Wrestling.
North American Title Match Ladder Match: EC3 vs. Ricochet vs. Adam Cole vs. Killian Dane vs. Lars Sullivan vs. The Velveteen Dream: I see Cole and EC3 as contenders for the NXT Championship with Sullivan & Dane playing beefy spoiler around the main attraction of this match being the interaction between Ricochet who will come *this close* to winning the match, only to be outdone by the inaugural NXT North American Champion, The Velveteen Dream
Women’s Title Match: Ember Moon (C) vs. Shayna Bazsler: In a linear defense of the AIW Women’s Championship, Shayna Bazsler will defeat Ember Moon who will debut on the Smackdown following the Maina of Wrestling.
Dusty Rhodes Classic Finals/NXT Tag Title Match: Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly (C) vs. Authors of Pain vs. Pete Dunne & Roderick Strong: I have to go with the proper tag team to win the tag team tournament as there is more to gain from a storyline perspective with Pete Dunne & Roderick Strong as opponents down the line in what will surely be excellent wrestling matches for the NXT audience
Unsanctioned Match: Johnny Gargano vs. Tomasso Ciampa: There is only one way to go with this one & that is with Johnny Wrestling getting his revenge on former partner Tomasso Ciampa.
M.J. Rawls (Staff Writer, Photographer, Renaissance Man)
NXT Title Match: Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Aleister Black – Aleister Black
North American Title Match Ladder Match: EC3 vs. Ricochet vs. Adam Cole vs. Killian Dane vs. Lars Sullivan vs. The Velveteen Dream – Adam Cole
Women’s Title Match: Ember Moon (C) vs. Shayna Bazsler – Shayna Bazsler
Dusty Rhodes Classic Finals/NXT Tag Title Match: Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly (C) vs. Authors of Pain vs. Pete Dunne & Roderick Strong – Pete Dunne & Roderick Strong
Unsanctioned Match: Johnny Gargano vs. Tomasso Ciampa – Johnny Gargano
Tommy Tracy (Staff Writer, Horror Aficionado)
NXT Title Match: Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Aleister Black: Aleister Black
North American Title Match Ladder Match: EC3 vs. Ricochet vs. Adam Cole vs. Killian Dane vs. Lars Sullivan vs. The Velveteen Dream: Adam Cole (Bay Bay)
Women’s Title Match: Ember Moon (C) vs. Shayna Bazsler: Shayna Bazsler
Dusty Rhodes Classic Finals/NXT Tag Title Match: Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly (C) vs. Authors of Pain vs. Pete Dunne & Roderick Strong: Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly (C)
Unsanctioned Match: Johnny Gargano vs. Tomasso Ciampa: Johnny Gargano
Bill Bodkin (Editor-in-Chief, Contributor PWInsider)
NXT Title Match: Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Aleister Black: Aleister Black. Cien is getting the nod, along with Zelina Vega, to go to the bigs. He’s done all he can in NXT. Black gets the belt and we get a whole new era of NXT.
North American Title Match Ladder Match: EC3 vs. Ricochet vs. Adam Cole vs. Killian Dane vs. Lars Sullivan vs. The Velveteen Dream: EC33. It’s not a popular pick, but what a way to debut. A lot of people see Cole or Dream as the winner. However, I think EC3 needs this to get out the gate running.
Women’s Title Match: Ember Moon (C) vs. Shayna Bazsler: Shayna Bazsler. Ember is also on her way out, and I can’t wait for the eventual Shayna/Candice feud.
Dusty Rhodes Classic Finals/NXT Tag Title Match: Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly (C) vs. Authors of Pain vs. Pete Dunne & Roderick Strong: Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly (C). One full-time team versus a makeshift team versus a team heading to the main roster. It makes the most sense for O’Reilly and Cole to win.
Unsanctioned Match: Johnny Gargano vs. Tomasso Ciampa: Johnny Gargano. It’d be great to see Johnny win and it makes the most sense. This might be the match of the weekend.
Michael Dworkis (Wrestling Editor, Senior Writer, eBay guru)
NXT Title Match: Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Aleister Black: Black’s been getting the big push, and I don’t mean the push to be PPV fodder. This is the push to be champ. Can’t see a scenario where Black loses.
North American Title Match Ladder Match: EC3 vs. Ricochet vs. Adam Cole vs. Killian Dane vs. Lars Sullivan vs. The Velveteen Dream: My pick is Ricochet. I thought about Velveteen Dream, but couldn’t pull the trigger as my pick. I just love the idea of this match. Killian Dane cannonballing off the ladder could be the moment of the year. Between him and Lars Sullivan, there will be some mayhem. You’ve got an insane amount of talent, both from recent debuts to long-term development. Expect some ridiculous spots. Imagine Cole winning this, and retaining the NXT Tag Team Championships. It’s been a while since a stable held multiple titles. Not tonight.
Women’s Title Match: Ember Moon (C) vs. Shayna Bazsler: Shayna Bazsler. Moon has been dominant since Asuka left, and she’s not Asuka, so she is fallible. I liked Moon better chasing the championship anyway.
Dusty Rhodes Classic Finals/NXT Tag Title Match: Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly (C) vs. Authors of Pain vs. Pete Dunne & Roderick Strong: Pete Dunne & Roderick Strong. I see them winning and then Dunne immediately turning on Strong. Authors of Pain won last year, don’t see consecutive wins happening.
Unsanctioned Match: Johnny Gargano vs. Tomasso Ciampa: Ciampa gets the win. This should be the main event match. One-hour. This match might be better than everything else we’ve seen in the past year. I’m going with Ciampa in hopes this is the real call-up for Johnny Wrestling. It will be sad to see him leave NXT, and while many fans anticipate his arrival on the main roster, one has to wonder if that is truly where he belongs.
