NXT Takeover: Toronto is just days away, and while this is SummerSlam weekend for WWE, it appears that, yet again, WWE's developmental brand is on pace to outclass the main roster.
The card isn't as strong as we've seen in recent times, but with unpredictable moments, time given to each bout and the fantastic presentation we've become accustomed too, Takeover Toronto will no doubt deliver.
The last time NXT was in Toronto, we saw arguably the greatest tag team bout of all time in WWE, and while no match jumps out as an all-time great, they'll all be entertaining and intriguing match-ups. So without further ado, sit back and read along as we look forward to this weekend and attempt to predict the results of all five matches that NXT will present.
Candice LeRae vs. Io Shirai
This is one of the more intriguing matches on this card, as it gives us our first singles look at Candice LeRae on a Takeover event. It's her opponent, however, who is the true star in this contest. Ever since losing to Shayna Baszler, The Genius of the Skies, Io Shirai has simply snapped, and has played the role of bad-ass, ass-kicker to perfection, but it's got in the way of the friendships she's made in NXT.
At the end of the day, it's all about Championship gold, so that's a risk Shirai was willing to take, and unfortunately for the Tough Cupcake LeRae, her friendship was the first to be sacrificed. That's not to take anything away from Candice, as she's an incredible performer, but given how hard NXT pushed Shirai and the subsequent heel turn, it's hard to see her losing on such a big stage, but this will no doubt be a fantastic, emotion fuelled contest.
Prediction: Io Shirai comes out victorious in a brutal affair.
Pete Dunne vs. Roderick Strong vs. Velveteen Dream (c) - NXT North American Championship
The rivalry between Roderick Strong and Velveteen Dream was a little underwhelming for a few weeks, but with the infusion of the former WWE UK Champion, this has suddenly become one of the most anticipated bouts on the card. All three men are insanely talented, and given the charisma and in-ring work we've seen them produce over the past 18 months in NXT, this one is no doubt going to steal the show.
Dream has been fantastic as NXT North American Champion, but any of the three results here make sense, so it's quite hard to predict who will come out on top. As we'll talk about later, The Undisputed Era have talked about running NXT for quite some time, but Strong is the weakest of the four men, so it's highly likely that either Pete Dunne or Dream walk away with gold on Saturday.
Prediction: The Bruiserweight makes the transition to NXT proper with a title win.
Undisputed Era (Kyle O'Reilly & Bobby Fish) vs. Street Profits (c) - NXT Tag Team Championships
The Undisputed Era have been the clear cut stars of the tag team division for quite some time, but with Street Profits rising up at NXT Takeover XXV, they now have some serious competition. O'Reilly and Fish are much more experienced together, but at the last Takeover, Ford and Dawkins proved that they were just as hungry and desperate as The Era. Now, they'll go head to head with gold on the line.
Both teams are incredibly over and, given how unproven the champions are, a big defense here against the multiple-time Champs will solidify themselves as the future of this division. This is a hard one to pick, as The Era have the chance to walk away with all four men holding belts on this night. Given how this is their first Takeover as Champions, it's going to be the night of the Street Profits.
Prediction: The Street Profits prove their win at Takeover XXV was no fluke.
Shayna Baszler (c) vs. Mia Yim - NXT Women's Championship
Shayna Baszler has been running roughshod over NXT for quite some time now. While Io Shirai couldn't get the job done, The Blazian Baddie Mia Yim might be the one to do the trick. Yim has been going after Baszler and her friends for weeks, and now that she has The Queen of Spades all alone, it could be the final time that she raises that NXT Women's Championship above her head.
It's not going to be anywhere near that easy, as Baszler has kept the Championship against all odds over the past year, and unfortunately for the NXT Women's division, we see the reign going on a little longer. If it's not Mia Yim, we don't quite know who it will be, as the division currently isn't that deep, but it's just not going to be Yim here, despite the immense talent that she has.
Prediction: The Queen of Spades rolls on and continues to dominate the division
Adam Cole (c) vs. Johnny Gargano - 2 out of 3 Falls match for the NXT Championship
Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano have had two classics in the main event of the past two Takeovers, and given the story that's behind this one, it may top both of their previous encounters (if that's somehow possible). The two have built quite an incredible rivalry over the past few months, and given everything that's happened, they needed to step it up. So, this two out of three falls bout has a bit of a twist.
There will now be a stipulation for each fall, with Gargano choosing a Street Fight and Cole choosing a classic singles match. If it does goes to a third fall, William Regal will decide under what rules that is contested. Given the run Johnny Wrestling has had in NXT, it's hard to see him winning his coveted Championship back. But with NXT, you never truly know, so this one will be must-see, similar to their first two collisions.
Prediction: Adam Cole finally dispatches of his greatest rival in NXT.
Who do you think is going to walk out of Takeover this weekend with the W? Head down to the comments and share your thoughts!