WWE NXT: Predictions for the 2020 Year-End Awards 

NXT Breakout Star of the Year

Any one of these stars could rocket to the top of NXT

Damian Priest

Pat McAfee

Shotzi Blackheart

Cameron Grimes

Dexter Lumis

Timothy Thatcher

Raquel Gonzalez

Santos Escobar

Ilja Dragunov

For this NXT Year-End Award, It's a close call between Pat McAfee and Damian Priest. But "The Archer of Infamy" has a slight edge over the he Indianapolis Colts' former star punter. NXT needed a new breakout star at the beginning of the year, and Priest's cool babyface act was just what the doctor ordered.

The world will be watching @ArcherOfInfamy & @WWEKarrionKross at #NXTNYE. 🏹 #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/9z4747pap1

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) December 24, 2020

Priest, an imposing figure on a roster full of stars, has excelled with his natural charisma. Plus, the combination of his promo work and his athleticism inside the ring has been a revelation. WWE rewarded him with a run with the NXT North American Championship. The towering superstar reinvigorated NXT's mid-card title, and he's bound to become a main event player in 2021.

Our Pick: Damian Priest

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NXT Event of the Year

NXT has offered the fans several remarkable shows this year.

TakeOver: Blackpool 2

TakeOver: Portland

TakeOver: In Your House

Great American Bash

TakeOver: XXX

TakeOver: 31

Halloween Havoc

TakeOver: WarGames

Most NXT pay-per-views are exponentially better than their RAW and SmackDown counterparts. Every NXT TakeOver special in 2020 delivered an incredible show. But in a year filled with excellent events, NXT TakeOver: Portland outshined them all.

#NXTTakeOver: Portland has become #NXTLOUD.@poppy pic.twitter.com/2VJ836EdvE

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) February 17, 2020

This show featured an unforgettable match between Adam Cole and Tommaso Ciampa. The whole card was stacked with star-studded matches. Finn Balor faced Johnny Gargano, and Rhea Ripley fought Bianca Belair. The live crowd added even more electricity to this show. The remarkable card, the phenomenal in-ring action, and the energetic crowd made this show 2020's most enjoyable offering.

Our Pick: NXT TakeOver: Portland