WWE NXT Takeover Chicago Breakdown & Predictions

This upcoming Sunday, the WWE will be hosting their annual Money In The Bank event. Prior, the festivities are scheduled to start on Saturday Night when NXT presents NXT Takeover Chicago II. With all the matches taking place the night before Money In The Bank, who will come out on top?

Aleister Black (c) vs. Lars Sullivan for the NXT Championship

Martin’s Take: At NXT Takeover New Orleans, Aleister Black defeated Andrade “Cien” Almas, who was called up to the WWE main roster in order to capture the NXT Championship. It did not take Black very long to find a challenger for his first title defense, as Lars Sullivan confronted the champion on the May 30th episode of NXT.

This is a match of two superstars who have very different wrestling backgrounds. Black is known for using a variety of strikes during his matches, while Sullivan is more of a powerhouse who uses strength to his advantage. Even though Sullivan has been impressive as of late, he still has a lot of work to do before becoming NXT Champion. Considering Black won the title just two months ago, it would not be a smart move to have him lose the title so soon.

Prediction: Alister Black via Pinfall

Rami’s Take: With strength and resiliency, Lars Sullivan can be compared to a modern day Brock Lesnar from the time frame of 2001-04. Appearing as nearly impossible to defeat, that’s where current NXT Champion Aleister Black comes into the picture. Known as the underdog who defeated Andrade Almas at NXT Takeover New Orleans, the way that Black can deliver in any given match may prove to be his advantage.

Prediction: Alister Black via Pinfall

Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa in a Street Fight

Martin’s Take: This rivalry has been brewing since last year at NXT Takeover Chicago, and this match could very well prove to be the climax of it all. Ever since Tomasso Ciampa attacked Johnny Gargano for failing to win the NXT Tag Team Championship, the two have put on one of the best rivalries in wrestling to date. I could see this being the match of the night, and if it’s anything like their confrontation in New Orleans, this is going to be a classic.

Prediction: Johnny Gargano via Pinfall

Rami’s Take: In a street fight setting, this match has the potential to leave us all shocked once again. After an unsanctioned match at NXT Takeover New Orleans where Gargano won to keep his job, Ciampa is now set on vengeance. After their first encounter, a breakdown for their second meeting is nearly impossible to predict. The only certain aspect is that Gargano vs Ciampa will leave fans on the edge of their seats.

Prediction: Tommaso Ciampa via Pinfall

Shayna Baszler (c) vs. Nikki Cross For The NXT Women’s Championship 

Martin’s Take: On the same night that Alister Black won the NXT Championship, Shayna Baszler captured the NXT Women’s Championship, defeating Ember Moon. Ever since winning the title, Bazler has been dominant in her path to success. At NXT Takeover Chicago, she will be facing her biggest challenge to date in Nikki Cross.

Although Cross has been in NXT longer than Baszler, and it appear as an appropriate time to give her a title push, now is not the right time. In fact, Bazler won the title just two months ago, so it wouldn’t be smart for her to drop it that quickly.

Prediction: Shayna Baszler via Submission

Rami’s Take: Shayna Bazzler, a former MMA fighter, has a great skill set which includes submission efficiency. Through her MMA background, it has correlated with certain arm-related submissions. On the other hand, Nikki Cross is more unpredictable, and has attempted and failed multiple times to secure a championship. This makes us wonder if this is either the moment she wins the title, or fails once again.

Prediction: Shayna Baszler via Submission

Ricochet vs. Velveteen Dream

Martin’s Take: At NXT Takeover New Orleans, Ricochet made his presence known during the NXT North American Championship. Although he lost, Ricochet showcased why he is one of the brightest young stars in wrestling. After the event, Ricochet announced that he has his sight on the NXT Championship, which was interrupted by the Velveteen Dream.

Over the past few weeks, the two have proven they can put on quality matches. With the hype already in place, the WWE would be strategic to have Ricochet win in his first encounter against a talented superstar in Velveteen Dream.

Prediction: Ricochet via Pinfall

Rami’s Take: It should be noted that Velveteen Dream already has had three takeover matches against Kassius Ohno, Aleister Black, and a Six-Man Ladder Match for the inaugural NXT North American Championship. As for Ricochet, most of his matches have been five-star quality. Combined, the potential in this bout is unprecedented.

Prediction: Ricochet via Pinfall

 The Undisputed ERA (c) vs. Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch for the NXT Tag Team Championship

Martin’s Take: Recently, Roderick Strong turned his back on the fans, as well as his tag team partner, Pet Dunne, in the middle of their NXT Tag Team Championship match.  Ever since Strong joined the Undisputed ERA, the group has been forced to deal with Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch, who have had enough of the three-on-one attacks on Pete Dunne, and eventually stepped up to even the playing field. The combination of O’Reilly and Strong will be representing the Undisputed ERA in this match, and they should be able to retain the title here.

Prediction:  The Undisputed ERA via Pinfall

Rami’s Take: The main aspect that Lorcan and Burch will have to look out for is a potential interference from either Adam Cole or Bobby Fish, as both are loyal members of the Undisputed Era. The other factor in this match involves the submission skills of O’Reilly and Strong.  The same can be said for Lorcan and Burch, who may have enough grit to dethrone the Undisputed Era.

Prediction: O’Reilly and Strong via Pinfall

Photo Credit https://www.sportskeeda.com