NZPWI Roundtable: NXT TakeOver: New York

by NZPWI

April 5, 2019

NZPWI Roundtable: NXT TakeOver: New York

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The WWE Universe is guaranteed a new NXT Champion at TakeOver: New York. With Tommaso Ciampa forced to vacate “Goldie” due to injury, Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano will collide in a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match for the vacant title.

“Bruiserweight” Pete Dunne has become synonymous with the WWE United Kingdom Championship over the course of a 684-day reign. Can Dunne hold onto his title on foreign soil when he steps in the ring with Walter?

Plus, the NXT Women’s, Tag Team, and North American Championships are all on the line inside Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

Who will be celebrating a victory in New York City? Join the NZPWI Roundtable as we break down the card for NXT TakeOver: New York…

* * *

NXT Championship, 2-out-of-3 Falls:
Adam Cole vs. Johnny Gargano

Grady Hooker (83% accurate in 2019):
Adam Cole is a really tough opponent, but I think it’s finally time – without Ciampa in his way – for Johnny Gargano to shine and capture the top prize in NXT.
Winner: Johnny Gargano

Mister J (80% accurate in 2019):
People love Adam Cole, but you know what? I don’t think he has what it takes to beat Johnny Wrestling, or hold the NXT title. I do miss Ciampa in the title picture though.
Winner: Johnny Gargano

Steve McCleary (75% accurate in 2019):
Adam Cole should be counting his lucky stars that Ciampa got injured, but it’s not going to be enough to get past Johnny No-Mates
Winner: Johnny Gargano

Rosie Rude:
I’m hoping for one hell of a match with plenty of interference run by The Undisputed Era, Gargano is good, but he doesn’t have the numbers game on his side. Also, I just feel like it’s Cole’s time.
Winner: Adam Cole

Sammy G (50% accurate in 2019):
This is going to be beautiful! I can’t help but feel like the numbers game will come into play with The Undisputed Era though. As much as I believe in Johnny Wrestling solo, without Ciampa to back him up, I think it’s Adam Cole’s time to reign!
Winner: Adam Cole

David Dunn (29% accurate in 2019):
I worry The Undisputed Era will be the deciding factor in at least one of the falls. Adam Cole’s got Bobby Fish, Kyle O’Reilly, and Roderick Strong, while Johnny Gargano is all alone. I don’t like those odds.
Winner: Adam Cole

NXT Women’s Championship:
Shayna Baszler (c) vs. Bianca Belair vs. Io Shirai vs. Kairi Sane

Grady:
I don’t think Baszler is going to retain, so it comes down to who will take it off her. My gut is leaning to one of the Sky Pirates and as such, I’ll go with Io as she hasn’t had the opportunity before.
Winner: Io Shirai

Mister J:
Surely it’s time for Baszler to show up on the main roster? Maybe post-WrestleMania. Her mind has got to be on backing up Ronda Rousey and her ongoing feuds, and that will be all someone else needs to scoop the title. It really could be any of the three, but I’m going to go with the Mae Young Classic Finalist, and Joshi Puroresu Grand Prize winner (of 2015, 2016, and 2017), Io Shirai.
Winner: Io Shirai

Steve:
Nobody knows how to capitalise on chaos like the champ.
Winner: Shayna Baszler

Rosie:
This is going to be such an interesting clash of styles and has the potential to be a real exhibition match. However, I just can’t pick a winner but I suppose if I really had to it would be Belair. I don’t think Shayna is walking out of here with that belt.
Winner: Bianca Belair

Sam:
I’m still buzzing from Baszler and Belair’s match at last TakeOver! I don’t see Baszler retaining. If I’m wrong, I’m totally cool with that too… backing Bianca once again this time.
Winner: Bianca Belair

David:
I know a Fatal 4-Way doesn’t favour the champion in any official way (there are no count-out or disqualification loopholes for them to exploit) but I can’t help but feel like Baszler still has an advantage.
Winner: Shayna Baszler

WWE United Kingdom Championship:
Pete Dunne (c) vs. Walter

Grady:
It has been a really, really, really long title reign… and that is about to come crumbling down as Walter shows up and claims his prize.
Winner: Walter

Mister J:
Pete Dunne is great. Pete Dunne has held the belt a long time. Pete Dunne is one of the most talented wrestlers in Europe today. Pete Dunne is one of the most dominant champions in recent WWE history. But come on… it’s Walter…
Winner: Walter

Steve:
All good things – and impressive reigns – must come to an end eventually.
Winner: Walter

Rosie:
It’s about time Dunne’s mammoth reign comes to an end and who’s more credible to take the belt and go on a monster tear than Walter?
Winner: Walter

Sam:
Walter was hand-picked by Pete Dunne recently for this match, and as much as I respect Dunne’s decision, I think Walter will leave as the WWE UK Champion.
Winner: Walter

David:
In Dunne’s absence, Walter has torn through Europe amassing championships at will en route to NXT: UK. And now, there’s just one final title left…
Winner: Walter

NXT Tag Team Championship:
The War Raiders (Hanson & Rowe) (c) vs. Aleister Black & Ricochet

Grady:
Black and Ricochet are going to be fighting for so many tag team championships, but they have a much better shot at winning those than they do of winning this one. War Raiders are going to hold on tight and not let the titles out of their grasp.
Winners: The War Raiders

Mister J:
Aleister Black and Ricochet have been too concerned with making an impression on Raw and SmackDown Live, and now they also have a title shot at WrestleMania?! War Raiders show no such distraction, and that focus will allow them to dominate as only they can.
Winner: The War Raiders

Steve:
Team Kicky Flippy are great, but they’re not ready for war.
Winners: The War Raiders

Rosie:
I don’t entirely understand the team of Black and Ricochet, it smacks a little of the “odd couple” tag teams that have become something of a staple in WWE. I’d prefer to see the War Raiders remain on top.
Winners: The War Raiders

Sam:
Black and Ricochet have certainly been busy men of late. While their chemistry as a tag team is commendable, I don’t think it will be enough to overcome the dominance of War Raiders.
Winners: The War Raiders

David:
This is definitely the biggest match The War Raiders have had. That could be the case for Black and Ricochet too, but only until Monday. With WrestleMania 35 on the horizon there’s no way they can be focused 100 percent on TakeOver: New York.
Winners: The War Raiders

NXT North American Championship:
Velveteen Dream (c) vs. Matt Riddle

Grady:
I love Dream, but I have to pick my man Matt Riddle for the win. Sorry, Dream.
Winner: Matt Riddle

Mister J:
Matt Riddle is a talented wrestler with a bright future ahead of him. But Velveteen Dream’s time is now!
Winner: Velveteen Dream

Steve:
This Dream’s gonna be a nightmare to get past, bro.
Winner: Velveteen Dream

Rosie:
I must say I can’t abide Matt Riddle but if losing frees Dream up to go on to challenge for the NXT Championship, I’m all for it.
Winner: Matt Riddle

Sam:
With Easter on the horizon and the old saying in mind about eggs and omelettes, I feel it’s time to break Velveteen’s egg!
Winner: Matt Riddle

David:
Styles make matches, and I like Matt Riddle’s style a whole lot. This could be the first of many championships for the King of Bros.
Winner: Matt Riddle