NXT TakeOver: London Preview and Predictions

Not in Full Sail *clap clap clap clap clap*

Giving their thoughts and predictions on what to expect from the PPV are members of the site @JoeyOnEarth, @TimWelcomed and @TomBlargh.

Asuka vs. Emma

Joey:

This is my most anticipated match of the show. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Emma in a big match with a great talent. Her noteworthy matches have been the clusterfuck 4-way and singles matches against below average wrestlers like Paige. This should be great! I’m hoping it gets the opening match spot and they steal the show. I care more about this than anything on TLC. We love Asuka.

Interest Level: 10/10
Prediction: Asuka wins.

Tim:

Asuka has been incredibly fun to watch and has completely gone above and beyond what I expected from her in this setting. She’s been the main reason for me to watch NXT weekly. Emma and Dana Brooke have made an interesting heel duo. Although we’ve seen signs here and there I think this will be the match that finally shows off how good Emma can be in the ring. Turning her heel was a great decision.

Interest Level: 10/10
Prediction: Asuka

Tom:

Asuka is the highlight of NXT for me right now, and Emma and Dana Brooke have been a big part of that. They’ve been the perfect opponents for Asuka to play off, and I think Emma’s PRETTY ALRIGHT as a wrestler, for the most part.

Also, Emma really should make her being “for the dads” part of her character. Come out like Dalton Castle with two middle-aged men as her entourage and declare “I see a lot of dads out here!” You can’t tell me that wouldn’t work, come on. Hunter and Steph, with all due respect, you need to use this idea.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Asuka wins.

Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson vs. Enzo Amore and Big Cass for the NXT Tag Team Championship

Joey:

Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson sound like the winners of Funko Pop giveaways. I’ve watched them like 10 times now and I honestly remember nothing except one might have a mustache? Big Cass and Enzo have gradually won me over after Brad Ward’s tweets and a bad night on the first TakeOver put them on my hate list. I hope they win because I actually know them and Big Cass is the real deal, brother.

Interest Level: 5/10
Prediction: Dash Dawson and Wild Leery win.

Tim:

Wilder and Dawson have not connected with me at all. I think their gimmick could work but those two are so bland that it comes off really boring. I’ve enjoyed Enzo Amore for a while now. He has charisma and goes all in on his character. He’s also gotten a bit better in the ring too. It’s been great to see a more serious side of Enzo as it has made him seem a bit more three dimensional and also showed off how good on the microphone he can be. There was a time where I thought Big Cass had the more potential of the two but watching lately it seems like Amore has outgrown Cass drastically. I’m hoping Cass steps it up in this match but either way the belts need to be on them. They are NXT stand-outs. ANYWAY… I’m not too excited to see Wilder and Dawson wrestle but maybe Enzo and Big Cass can spice it up.

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: Enzo Amore and Big Cass win.

Tom:

Wilder and Dawson feel more like indy performers than any of the more prolific indy guys on NXT, mostly because of the gimmick. It’s so silly and insidey and winky. “We’re a couple of throwbacks, like Arn and Tully! Look at our jackets! Hard hits, no flips! Old school heels! QT Marshall!” It doesn’t do anything for me. I don’t think they’re bad wrestlers, just not particularly interesting.

I enjoy Enzo and Cass, I think regional-specific wrestlers are a GOOD TIME. Every big city should have at least a couple of lads to represent them in a fun way. The reaction they get in London should be good fun too.

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: The Mechanics win.

Apollo Crews vs. Baron Corbin

Joey:

I hated Breaking Ground at first but I’ve warmed up to it lately because of these two guys. Baron Corbin is a fascinating creep and Apollo Crews is such a sweetheart. I’m very interested to see how this match plays out. Seeing how each guy does in front of a real crowd and in one of the bigger matches of the card will go a long way to their futures in WWE.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Apollo Crews wins.

Tim:

Before Breaking Ground Baron Corbin was a bore. Now with Breaking Ground showing us who he is, Baron Corbin is a weird guy but still pretty boring otherwise. I’m not too into him but you know who I am into? Apollo Crews. He seems incredibly nice and has a lot of potential. I’m looking forward to seeing him do his thing in this match and get a big win over The Lone Wolf.

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: Apollo Crews wins.

Tom:

Let’s all talk about Breaking Ground! I think Baron Corbin seems very sweet and also like a bit of a dickhead. Like, he’s got the mentality of a teenager in a lot of ways but he doesn’t seem mean or unpleasant, just like he’s still working out who he is.

Contrarily, Apollo seems like an absolute delight. This should be kind of a fun match! I hope Baron has a good showing, I feel bad when you see footage of him being told off by Albert.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Apollo Crews wins.

Bayley vs. Nia Jax for the NXT Women’s Championship

Joey:

I can’t see this one going well. Bayley is near perfect but Nia Jax has not been impressive from what I’ve seen. I have a feeling they are going to try to go with Jax as the next champ. I can see it being a DQ finish with Jax winning at the next live special but I’ll predict the title change here. Not that interested in the match.

Interest Level: 5/10
Prediction: Nia Jax wins.

Tim:

Nia Jax is NOT a good time. I don’t think they’ve handled her all that well and I don’t feel like she carries herself in a way that is fit for the role they’ve given her. I don’t see much there but I hope she proves me wrong, of course. Bayley is wonderful but we’ll probably have to see how good her carrying skills are here. Maybe she can do some big and funny selling here or something. Anyway, I think putting the belt on Jax here would be a big mistake. Let’s keep it on Bayley and get that Asuka vs Bayley match heating up. Please?

Interest Level: 4/10
Prediction: Bayley wins.

Tom:

Poor Bayley. Hopefully she has an Asuka feud in her immediate future because I really don’t think much of Nia Jax so far. I’m sure it’ll be alright, but this reminds me of when Shawn Michaels would get lumbered with big lumbering dudes. It’d be alright because old Shawn knew what he was doing, but man, it felt like a bummer. Would be delighted to be proved wrong though.

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: Bayley wins.

Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe for the NXT Championship

Joey:

This has to be the biggest match of Samoa Joe’s career? I have faith in him turning back the clock and putting out a vintage Joe performance. The prediction has to be Finn Balor retaining and moving on to other feuds. I’m on board with this as the main event. It can go either way but I just have a feeling it will end up special.

Interest Level: 10/10
Prediction: Finn Balor wins.

Tim:

I will probably always be a huge Samoa Joe fan. I am really excited he is in NXT. I’m not delusional and know he is pretty inconsistent with showing his intensity over the last few years. He usually brings it in the big matches and then sometimes just randomly goes all in on little matches here and there. It’s REALLY odd. Either way, I fell like he’ll bring it all for this one. I’m hoping Balor finds a new gear to hit here. He is good but it always feels like he’s one small spark away from actually being on fire. He has all of the potential in the world, a good look, and a killer gimmick but there’s still something missing. These two will most likely put on one hell of a match. I’m really excited for it. I’m going to get wild here and say Samoa Joe leaves with the strap.

Interest Level: 10/10
Prediction: Samoa Joe wins.

Tom:

I can’t say I’m as optimistic about this. I never like to put too much hope in guys who are older trying to recapture their glory days because… well, because Chris Jericho, to be honest. It just rarely works out. I don’t think Joe’s in that category but I do have a somewhat lower expectation for his matches these days.

I also think Finn is still yet to completely emerge as everything he can be in WWE, and maybe that won’t happen until he’s main roster, but it still feels like he’s just on the cusp. Which is exciting in some ways, but I guess I’m also a little anxious about it. He seems like an unbelievably special talent and I’d hate to see him not be a really huge deal.

I’m not writing this off though! I think the crowd will help enormously and there isn’t anything like Sasha/Bayley that could realistically steal this match’s thunder as the main event. Curious to see how it plays out!

Interest Level: 9/10
Prediction: Finn Balor wins.