WWE NXT Takeover New Orleans: Breakdown & Predictions

With WrestleMania just a few days away, the festivities start a night early. On Saturday, NXT presents: NXT Takeover New Orleans. From here on out, representatives will break down each NXT Takeover special, and who we believe will win each match. This card is stacked, but who will come out on top?

Aleister Black vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas (c) For NXT Championship

Martin’s Take: With the rumored WWE Draft scheduled to occur after WrestleMania, and Almas rumored to be one of the NXT Superstars to get called up to the main roster, Takeover New Orleans is the perfect time for Black to start his reign as NXT Champion. With his abilities in the ring and on the microphone, Black has potential to have a solid and lengthy reign with the NXT Championship.

Prediction: Aleister Black via Pinfall

Rami’s Take: The main event is sure to be as technical as can be when it comes to Aleister Black and Andrade Almas. In the end, it’ll be Black’s time to be called up to the main roster, which has been anticipated for quite a while.

Prediction: Aleister Black via Pinfall

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Johnny Gargano in an Unsanctioned Match

If Gargano wins, he will be reinstated to NXT. If Ciampa wins, Gargano will be banned from NXT.

Martin’s Take: This match could go either way, simply because Gargano could win and finish off his storyline with Ciampa. On top of that, it has been rumored that the WWE main roster call-up could result in Ciampa writing off Gargano of NXT forever. Either way, this match is going to be the fight of the night.

Prediction: Tommaso Ciampa via Pinfall

Rami’s Take: Gargano and Ciampa started off in NXT together, won the tag team titles, and were even best friends. That was until they lost the belts, and Ciampa eventually turned on Gargano. Since then, it has been as personal as can be, as Ciampa was the reason for getting Gargano fired from NXT. Now that an unsanctioned match is in place, Gargano will either keep his job, or will exit NXT for good.

Prediction: Johnny Gargano via Pinfall

EC3 vs Ricochet vs Adam Cole vs Killian Dain vs Velveteen Dream vs Lars Sullivan

Six-Man Ladder Match for Inaugural NXT North American Championship

Martin’s Take: On last week’s episode of NXT, General Manager William Regal announced that the company will be adding another title to the brand called the “NXT North American Championship”. Ever since NXT debuted, there have been a handful of individuals who have desired a secondary championship when they are not eligible for the NXT Championship conversation. All six competitors are outstanding performers, but the WWE will likely want to push EC3 as a mid-card heel that could work his way up to becoming a main event superstar. By the end, don’t be surprised if Adam Cole wins, as the company is seemingly really high on him.

Prediction: EC3

Rami’s Take: Contested in a ladder match, EC3, Adam Cole, Ricochet, and Killian Dain are the names to watch out for in this match. Even then, Velveteen Dream and Lars Sullivan are up and coming talents. As EC3 and Ricochet make their Takeover debuts, an impact will surely be made.

Prediction: EC3

Ember Moon (c) vs. Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women’s Championship

Martin’s Take: Similar to Almas, Ember Moon is another fighter that is rumored to be called up to the WWE Main Roster. Over the past few months, Shayna Baszler and Moon have been going at each other’s throats, and have displayed decent matches. With Moon most likely leaving NXT soon, Takeover New Orleans is the perfect time for Baszler to become the next NXT Women’s Champion.

Prediction: Shayna Baszler via Submission

Rami’s Take: Back when the two faced off in Philadelphia, Baszler had the entire match within reach until Moon rolled her up and got the pin. This time around, Baszler will look to erase her previous mistakes, and should walk out of New Orleans as the next NXT Women’s champion.

Prediction: Shayna Baszler via Submission

Authors of Pain vs. Pete Dunne & Roderick Strong vs. Undisputed ERA (c) 

Triple Threat Tag Team Match For NXT Tag Team Titles & Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Trophy

Martin’s Take: This was scheduled to be just for the NXT Tag Team Championship, but due to Adam Cole, who is replacing Bobby Fish due to an injury, this match will now be for the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Trophy as well. All three teams are extremely talented, so this will be a fun one to watch.

Prediction: Undisputed ERA via Pinfall

Rami’s Take: While Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly were the original bout, Cole is now pulling double duty by teaming up alongside 1/3 of the Undisputed Era. This is surely going to be a highly anticipated match, so make sure to tune in for this one.

Prediction: Cole/O’Reilly via Pinfall

Photo Credit: WWE.com