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NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver will host some of the biggest matches the WWE Universe has ever witnessed. Karrion Kross and Finn Balor will face off in the NXT ring for the first time in what many have termed a dream match.
Former NXT UK Women's Champion Toni Storm will compete against Zoey Stark, while KUSHIDA will take on Pete Dunne. NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai will defend her title against Raquel Gonzalez.
Jordan Devlin and Santos Escobar are set to collide in an NXT Cruiserweight Championship unification match. That's not all, as Johnny Gargano will also be forced to defend his NXT North American Championship at TakeOver.
The two-night event will offer several of the biggest NXT Superstars a chance to perform at a top event.
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Some superstars desperately need to win their matches at TakeOver. This is because either they’re in a tough spot in their career, or need to win to continue certain storylines and rivalries.
Keeping that in mind, let’s take a look at the five NXT Superstars who desperately need to win at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
#5 KUSHIDA needs to defeat Pete Dunne at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver
The rivalry between KUSHIDA and Pete Dunne hasn’t had much build on WWE NXT. However, the two men can be expected to give a stellar performance on the big stage to make an impact.
Dunne wants to prove that he is the best wrestler in the world. KUSHIDA, on the other hand, has proven himself in the ring time and time again. So the contest between these two men will likely be epic if they’re given enough time to perform.
Dunne has had a tough time on NXT even though he’s remained in the limelight for most of it. His partnership with Pat McAfee did not last long. He also failed to win the NXT Championship when given the chance.
While the Bruiserweight is in a tough spot on NXT himself, it’s KUSHIDA who desperately needs to win in this contest. The Japanese Superstar has been getting some big matches on NXT, but he is yet to have his breakout moment.
Losses in big matches have hurt his image, and he needs to rebuild that so that he can become a major player in NXT. KUSHIDA’s victory will allow him to once again fight his way to the top where he can hopefully win a title before moving to the main roster.
#4 Kyle O’Reilly desperately needs to defeat Adam Cole at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver
Adam Cole did the unthinkable at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day by breaking up the Undisputed ERA. Cole did so by superkicking his long-time friend Kyle O’Reilly out of jealousy.
Cole wants to prove that he’s superior to the other members of the Undisputed ERA and the rest of the NXT roster. O’Reilly wants to teach Cole a lesson for what he did to him and their brotherhood.
At TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, the two men will compete in their first major match against one another in NXT. General Manager Willaim Regal does not want to be held responsible for what they will do to each other and has booked an unsanctioned match.
KOR desperately needs to win this match to prove a point and give fans a feel-good moment. While Cole has already had his major moments on the brand, O'Reilly is still looking for his big moment.
The Panama City Playboy could be heading to the main roster soon. O’Reilly is still searching for his first singles title on NXT. Therefore, O’Reilly needs to win the contest so that he can build on the momentum that can take him to the top.
#3 Jordan Devlin must become the undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Champion at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver
Jordan Devlin won the NXT Cruiserweight Championship at Worlds Collide 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic forced Devlin to remain in NXT UK, while a tournament was held to crown the interim champion in the United States.
Santos Escobar won the tournament and turned heel in the process. He will now have to face Devlin at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver to crown a sole Cruiserweight Champion.
A ladder match will take place between the two men, and fans will watch them fight to reach the top and pull down the titles. Escobar will likely rely on Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde to help him during the contest. On the other hand, Devlin will rely on his high-flying skills to reach the top of the ladder.
While Escobar has been a great heel on NXT, Devlin should be the man to win the contest. Devlin has flown all the way from the UK to show that he’s the undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Champion, and he desperately needs to win the match.
A loss will hurt Devlin’s image who has tried to show that he’s a fighting champion.
#2 WALTER needs to retain his title at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver
WALTER is looking to restore dominance across WWE NXT with his faction Imperium. WALTER wants to recruit former ally Timothy Thatcher to Imperium before taking over WWE. However, Thatcher’s current partner, Tommaso Ciampa, is standing in The Ring General’s path.
Ciampa will get his hands on WALTER at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. The two men will compete for the NXT UK Championship, and possibly for the custody of Thatcher.
Ciampa is one of the finest men in NXT who can take down the mightiest superstars. WALTER has remained unpinned on NXT, and Ciampa will look to change that on April 7. While The Blackheart has some momentum heading into Wednesday’s match, WALTER must not lose in his first match back on NXT.
The Ring General has arrived with a greater purpose, and a loss will severely dent his image. WALTER needs to recruit Thatcher to Imperium to make the faction much bigger. To continue his dominance, he needs to retain the NXT UK Championship and a clean record.
Therefore, WALTER desperately needs to win at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver to ensure that the storyline remains interesting.
#1 Raquel Gonzalez desperately needs to defeat Io Shirai at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver
Raquel Gonzalez has been one of the most improved superstars in WWE NXT over the past year. Gonzalez has proven herself in the ring with some sensational performances. Her character has also improved significantly since she first showed up.
Gonzalez will have the opportunity of a lifetime at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. The powerhouse will go up against Io Shirai in one of the biggest matches of the event.
The Genius of the Sky has been extremely dominant since her NXT Women’s Championship victory. Rhea Ripley, Toni Storm and Sasha Banks have all failed to take down Shirai in singles competition.
While Shirai has the momentum coming into the match, it’s Gonzalez who must not lose the contest. Gonzalez is the future of NXT and has been built up well in this storyline. Shirai has had her time at the top and could be heading to the main roster soon.
Keeping that in mind, the match must be won by Gonzalez who now seems capable enough to lead the NXT women’s division. Gonzalez has done well to replace Ripley as the powerhouse of NXT, and she can continue to prove herself with the NXT Women’s title.
