On Saturday the WWE will bring us NXT Takeover: Toronto. This will be the first Takeover special since the highly-successful Takeover: Brooklyn show in August where Shinsuke Nakamura won the NXT Championship from Samoa Joe. This show will feature a rematch between these two for the title once again.
Since Brooklyn, the talk has been how NXT is in rebuilding mode after the mass exodus of stars that were called up to either Smackdown Live or Raw. The last couple of months has been a time for new stars to be created and for major indie names (TM-61 Roderick Strong) to take their place at the NXT table and begin their careers with the brand. Saturday will be a measuring stick to see where NXT stands after popular names like Finn Balor, Bayley and others have moved on and the brand was reset.
The NXT Takeover: Toronto card currently features five matches as of press time with more possibly being added closer to showtime. Let’s look at the five matches and see who will come out on top in each of those matches .
Bobby Roode vs. Tye Dillinger
Two Toronto kids come home when Roode and Dillinger lock up in this matchup. This match came about after Roode left Dillinger in the ring to get destroyed by SAnitY in the first round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. This after Roode practically begged Dillinger to be his partner for the tournament. Both men has gotten their shots in on each other on the way to their match on Saturday.
Both these men can go in the ring, especially Roode who has surprised many with how good he has fit into the WWE style. This match as the opening match could bring the crowd to life and help keep the excitement level high for the rest of the show. I see Roode winning the match but Dillinger will look good so once NXT creates a third men’s title Dillinger will likely get a shot at it. He’s not a “carry the company” performer but he is definitely a “can help establish young guys” type of performer.
Your winner, Bobby Roode
The Authors of Pain vs. TM-61 (Finals of Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic)
The second annual Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic has come down to two of the best young tag teams in the business. AOP advanced through the tournament thanks to the outside influence of legendary manager Paul Ellering while TM-61 had probably the toughest path to get to the finals.
Depending on how the creative team in NXT wants to book this match, who wins it is a tossup. The Authors of Pain have a bright future as a monster heel tag-team, which is something that the WWE main roster desperately needs. TM-61 has been a tag team for six years on the independent wrestling circuit so they are a polished enough team to make the main roster tomorrow if they were needed. Who wins this match? It’s tough but with the relationship that Ellering had with Dusty in 1980’s NWA Wrestling and that a babyface team won the tournament last year, something tells me that the bad guys will win this tournament.
Your winners of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, The Authors of Pain
The Revival (champions) vs. DIY (Gargano and Ciampa) Two Out Of Three Falls Match for the NXT Tag Team Championship
These two teams met in Brooklyn at the last Takeover special and put on a show. The tag team experience of The Revival showed over Ciampa and Gargano as The Revival retained the titles. Both teams were scheduled to meet in the second round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic but Scott Dawson “injured” his knee and The Revival forfeited the match to DIY. In the semifinals, The Revival costs DIY their match against The Authors of Pain which brings us to the rematch between these two teams for the titles
This is Dawson and Wilder’s second title reign and this feud has been a good display of their heel tactics, which once again the main roster is missing. The Revival’s time to be called up to the main roster is coming and I think it’s coming sooner than later. Two out of three falls matches are usually the way for the good guys to finally defeat the heels so this match trends towards DIY. Ciampa and Gargano are officially signed to the WWE so winning this match will officially begin their time with the company and what better way to start as NXT tag team champions.
Your winners and new NXT Tag Team Champions, DIY
Asuka (champion) vs. Mickie James for the NXT Women’s Championship
This match is happening because Triple H believes that no woman in NXT currently is ready to face Asuka for the Women’s title. So similar to how Vince McMahon brings in big names from the past, Triple H went to the past and brought back Mickie James. James hasn’t wrestled for the WWE since 2013 and will be the most experienced wrestler Asuka will face since coming to NXT in 2015.
We all know that Asuka will retain her title against James. The question is what happens after the match and whether the powers that be will find that money opponent for Asuka going forward. The dream match that many fans want to see is Asuka and Ember Moon go at it and that may be where the company goes in 2016. In the meantime, enjoy Mickie James in one of possibly her final matches.
Your winner and still champion, Asuka
Shinsuke Nakamura (champion) vs. Samoa Joe for the NXT Championship
Their first match at Takeover: Brooklyn was three-stars at best as both men struggled to find the chemistry that many expected to see in that match. The buildup to the rematch has featured intense moments and that lead up will be what makes this match great.
Samoa Joe has lingered in NXT for way too long and it’s time for him to get the call-up. Joe would make a serious impact (no pun intended) on night one on either Raw or Smackdown Live and for some reason no one sees that. Joe winning the NXT Title means more time in NXT which he does not need. Nakamura wins this match and continues his title reign...which should end soon for him so he can get called up as well.
Your winner and still champion, Shinsuke Nakamura
What your thoughts about NXT Takeover: Toronto? Tell us your predictions in or comment section.
