Predictions for NXT Takeover: Phoenix

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NXT Takeover: Phoenix is set to take place on January 26, 2019, starting at 7 PM on the WWE Network (with the kickoff show starting at 6 PM). This edition of NXT Takeover will feature 5 big matches.

Kassius Ohno & Matt Riddle will face off in their third match with each other, the War Raiders will challenge Undisputed Era for the NXT Tag Team Championship, Bianca Belair will have her first shot at WWE gold against Shayna Baszler, Johnny Gargano will face off with Ricochet in a certified match of the year candidate, and Aleister Black will finally receive his rematch for the NXT Championship when he faces Tommaso Ciampa when they face off in a rematch from an episode of NXT in July.

All five of these matches will be absolutely great as this edition of NXT Takeover will be a success, as usual.

Kassius Ohno vs Matt Riddle

Matt Riddle has been undefeated since arriving in NXT

Kassius Ohno has shown frustration in new NXT signees like Keith Lee & Matt Riddle being given more attention than him. Kassius Ohno has been the de facto gatekeeper of NXT as he has lost to several new NXT signees to put them over, including Aleister Black, the Velveteen Dream, and EC3.

In the first match between the two, Matt Riddle completely squashed Kassius Ohno in seconds with a running knee. In their second match with each other, the King of Bros made him tap out with his signature submission Bro-Mission. After that, Kassius Ohno completely ignored Matt Riddle's attempt of showing respect for him and completely destroyed him after the match by throwing him into the ring post, the steel stairs, and completely knocked him out with the Rolling Elbow strike.

These two will have their third and presumably final match at NXT Takeover: Phoenix. It is too early for Matt Riddle to lose a match in WWE so he will almost certainly get the victory.

Prediction: Matt Riddle defeats Kassius Ohno via submission with the Bro-Mission.

NXT Tag Team Champions: Undisputed Era (c.) vs the War Raiders

The War Raiders will look to finally become NXT Tag Team Champions at NXT Takeover: Phoenix

Undisputed Era has barely escaped the War Raiders every single time that they have faced off. The War Raiders defeated Undisputed Era by disqualification the last time that they fought, and were then part of a successful effort to defeat the Undisputed Era alongside Ricochet & Pete Dunne at War Games. The duo recently made their return to save EC3 from a beatdown from the Undisputed Era.

It was then announced that the two will face off in their second match with each other for the NXT Tag Team Championship. This will almost certainly be a great match. While Undisputed Era has been doing great as NXT Tag Team Champions, it is time for the War Raiders to finally become NXT Tag Team Champions.

Prediction: The War Raiders defeat Undisputed Era via pinfall when they hit the Fallout on Roderick Strong to get the pinfall victory and the NXT Tag Team Championship.

NXT Women's Championship: Shayna Baszler (c.) vs Bianca Belair

Bianca Belair is set to face her toughest task in Shayna Baszler

Bianca Belair defeated Mia Yim, Lacey Evans, and Io Shirai in a fatal four-way match to determine who would face Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women's Champion at NXT Takeover: Phoenix. The EST of NXT has been unintimidated and unafraid by the Queen of Spades and shockingly slapped her in the face while being confronted by the NXT Women's Champion, who was with Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir.

It would make sense for Bianca Belair to defeat Shayna Baszler so Shayna Baszler can move onto the main roster. However, with all of the recent call-ups, Shayna Baszler will likely be called up after WrestleMania 34. Therefore, this feud will likely continue before Shayna Baszler drops the title to Bianca Belair (so it will not happen right away).

Prediction: Shayna Baszler makes Bianca Belair pass out to the Kirafuda Clutch after interference from Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir.

NXT North American Championship: Ricochet (c.) vs Johnny Gargano

This can potentially be a five-star match

Tommaso Ciampa suggested to Johnny Gargano that he challenge Ricochet for the NXT North American Championship at NXT Takeover: Phoenix. A few weeks later, Johnny Takeover laid Ricochet out with a superkick before the match was made official. Johnny Gargano has proven that he is more dangerous than ever with victories over both Humberto Carillo and Aleister Black.

Now that Johnny Gargano is not defined by his morals anymore, he is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. However, Ricochet has not done much as NXT North American Champion and deserves the chance to have an extremely successful reign. Therefore, Ricochet will likely retain the NXT North American Championship against Johnny Gargano to show Johnny Gargano that being the bad guy is not exactly the answer.

Prediction: Ricochet defeats Johnny Gargano via pinfall with the 630 Senton.

NXT Championship: Tommaso Ciampa (c.) vs Aleister Black

Tommaso Ciampa will have his third NXT title defense against Aleister Black

Tommaso Ciampa defeated Aleister Black to win the NXT Championship on an episode of NXT in July in Aleister Black's first ever loss in a singles match on NXT. Aleister Black has had to wait several months but he is finally set to get his rematch against the Psycho Killer in the main event of NXT Takeover: Phoenix.

Black has taken out Ciampa on multiple occasions with the Black Mass since losing the NXT Championship, and seems to be the favorite heading into this match given the fact that he only lost the last match they had because of unintentional interference from Johnny Gargano. However, Ciampa will likely remain as NXT Champion for a little bit longer.

Prediction: Tommaso Ciampa defeats Aleister Black via pinfall with the Fairytale Ending. Johnny Gargano then makes his way to the ring and the two set up for their Meet in the Middle finishing move. Johnny Gargano then superkicks Tommaso Ciampa out of nowhere in shocking fashion and picks up the NXT Championship as the show goes off the air.