5 Last-minute predictions for NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night 2

#1 Karrion Kross looks to reclaim the belt he never lost at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver

Finn Balor vs. Karrion Kross

At NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, former Champion Karrion Kross comes for the title he never lost. It was only a matter of time before the two Superstars crossed paths. With NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver seeming like the biggest stage possible, it only made sense to postpone the inevitable showdown.

Balor and Adam Cole battled for the vacated title last summer with the Prince succeeding. During his second run with the belt, Balor has defeated Pete Dunne, Cole and O'Reilly. Kross will literally be his biggest challenge. Factor Scarlett into the equation and it will also be the strangest battle during this title reign.

All roads lead to REDEMPTION and #NXTTakeOver for #NXTChampion @FinnBalor & @WWEKarrionKross. ❌The two collide in the co-main event of Thursday, Night 2 #NXTTakeOver: Stand & Deliver, streaming on @peacockTV in the U.S. and @WWENetwork everywhere else. #WWENXT @Lady_Scarlett13 pic.twitter.com/l7ixNUQi6b

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) April 6, 2021

The Prince returned to NXT at the right time. With Kross getting injured, it opened the door for Balor to both win the title again and reinvent himself. It's allowed him to be more serious and operate with an edge. While the edge has helped, it seems like it won't help him out at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.

Kross was a huge signing for the brand and he dethroned Keith Lee last summer. He was injured while winning the title but everyone knew that he would be back stronger. At the NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Global Press Conference on Tuesday, he made things simple.

"You saw someone become #NXTChampion with one arm. That's 𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙩. That's 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡. Understand that I will be willing to do whatever it takes at #NXTTakeOver: Stand & Deliver to be #WWENXT Champion once again." - @WWEKarrionKross @FinnBalor gets the message. ⏳ pic.twitter.com/Zhn8Kzi1yZ

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) April 6, 2021

It's difficult to know that had Kross not been injured, would he still have walked into NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver as NXT Champion? It could have very well happened. Things that were out of his control happened and the roads all led to NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.

Since Balor has had a decent run this time as Champion, it seems like a foregone conclusion that Kross will reclaim the belt he never lost at NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver.

Balor could retain, but Kross winning back the title seems like the way to move forward following NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. It would open up newer feuds for other stars and also allow NXT officials to see how Kross does as the focal point of a brand.

Prediction - Karrion Kross defeats Finn Balor to reclaim his title.