6 Last-minute predictions for NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night 1

#2 Can Tommaso Ciampa dethrone WALTER at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver?

There will be red chests after this one.

This match will hurt both men and will be painful to watch at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. WALTER is known for his devastating strikes and chops to the chest. His match against Ilja Dragunov was tough to watch due to the physicality both men displayed. It took a lot to put Dragunov down, but that just makes WALTER an even more imposing titleholder.

WALTER's reign has been so impressive that he came to NXT for new challengers. Few are more worthy and opposing than the former NXT Champion, Tommaso Ciampa. He promised a return to black prior to NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.

#NXTUK Champion @WalterAUT will find out just how sinister, ruthless and remorseless @NXTCiampa can be at #NXTTakeOver: Stand & Deliver! pic.twitter.com/q0RzExuwZS

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) April 2, 2021

One big absence is looming over this match. Prior to challenging WALTER for the NXT UK Championship, Imperium was attempting to recruit Timothy Thatcher. Ciampa wasn't having it, and Thatcher disappeared from television during the build to NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.

Ciampa thought that members of Imperium attacked him, but they claimed to not have done anything. So the question remains - is Thatcher's return being saved for this match, or is he one of the NXT Superstars affected by the COVID-19 breakout in March? We'll have to wait until Ciampa and WALTER chop each other into oblivion.

Things got even more personal two weeks before NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. Ciampa walked right into the lion's den to face Imperium in the ring. As expected, they attacked him. In the attack, WALTER ripped off Ciampa's necklace.

The Blackheart later revealed that his wife and daughter gave him the necklace prior to his neck surgery a few years ago. An angry Ciampa is a tough person to deal with, so WALTER will be getting an extremely motivated Blackheart.

"@NXTCiampa, you're not a leader, you're just a shell of what you once were." - @WalterAUTThe #NXTUK Title is on the line NEXT WEDNESDAY on Night 1 of #NXTTakeOver on @USA_Network & @peacockTV! pic.twitter.com/IC712H5cP7

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) April 1, 2021

If Ciampa is going to move to work in NXT UK, him winning would make sense. WALTER has ruled over NXT UK with an iron fist and does not have many believable challengers for his throne.

It just seems like WALTER's reign should continue past NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. He is the face of the brand and is physically bigger and stronger than Ciampa and most of his challengers. Unless someone like Sheamus or Cesaro joins NXT UK, it doesn't seem like WALTER will be dropping his title any time soon.

Prediction - WALTER continues his dominance by beating Ciampa.