We like NXT again.
Giving their thoughts and predictions on what to expect from the PPV are members of the site @JoeyOnEarth, @TimWelcomed and @TomBlargh.
Roderick Strong vs. Eric Young
Joey:
The Roderick Strong videos on NXT have made me more invested in him than I ever was during his indie career. Still, this doesn’t seem like a very exciting matchup on paper. I’m sure they will do fine opening the show, but I would have much rather witnessed Kassius Ohno/Andrade Almas, a Drew Galloway match or Aleister Black meditating in this spot.
Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Roderick Strong wins.
Tim:
I’ve always been a fan of Roderick Strong as an in-ring talent but he has always been either bland or unlikable outside of his wrestling skills. The recent mini-docs they’ve aired for him have been super helpful. I’m not the biggest Eric Young fan but he can be a solid hand in a match. I have actually grown to really like the whole Sanity aesthetic and how they all carry themselves. WWE is on the verge of having too many “edgelord” characters but Sanity is the most fun for me to watch right now. Eric Young is a fine mouthpiece for the group but probably the least entertaining to watch wrestle. I don’t know how these two will mesh but I have hope Roddy can kick it into third gear and show off a bit. At the very least I am interested in seeing how it turns out.
Interest Level: 5/10
Prediction: Eric Young wins.
Tom:
So, I’m going to level with you right here – I’ve not been keeping up with NXT TV at all, so I haven’t seen the hot Roddy video packages which have apparently been very good and given him much needed character. As a result, I’m not that excited for this! I do like that SAnitY’s entrance has pretend helicopters though.
Interest Level: 5/10
Prediction: Roderick Strong wins.
Tyler Bate vs. Pete Dunne for the WWE UK Championship
Joey:
Aside from Mark Andrews, these are the main two wrestlers from the WWE United Kingdom tournament that stood out to me. I’m so glad they are putting this match on TakeOver. I don’t watch PROGRESS (sorry not sorry) so as far as I’m concerned, Tyler Bate is still pissed off that Pete Dunne tried to injure him!!! The match should be awesome and I hope it adds some momentum to whatever the WWE UK project is.
Interest Level: 9/10
Prediction: Tyler Bate wins.
Tim:
As The Last Real Wrestling Critic I find it not only necessary but an essential part of life to watch every bit of wrestling possible. Now, I am not here to gloat but I have watched a considerable amount of Progress… especially when compared to my two friends here. Please don’t hold it against them, this is just life for me. These two are incredibly young and bright. Pete Dunne is a wonderful character that WWE handled very well at the U.K. Tournament. Tyler Bate is very entertaining to watch wrestle and I feel like he was a great babyface pick to win the tournament for the belt. I think handing it over to Dunne here is the right choice. Dunne just sticks out way more than Bate at this juncture. I have no doubt this match will be a great time and am looking forward to it.
Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Pete Dunne wins.
Tom:
I like these two a lot and I have watched at least three (3) Progress shows so I consider myself a VERY big fan (though not enough to do the silly all caps thing for their name). It’ll be interesting to see how they’re received in Chicago, given all the UK stuff has been treated sort of weirdly so far. I think it’ll be a good match, albeit not everyone’s cup of tea (TEA, BECAUSE THEY’RE BRITISH). I think Pete Dunne’s a great character and his interactions with Regal have been golden, so I’d like to see him win the belt and become a more persistent thorn in Big William’s side.
Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Pete Dunne wins.