NXT Takeover Dallas Predictions

It's the Wrestlemania of NXT events! It's only been 2 years since NXT Arrival  first came on the WWE Network and with each following event, the live events have been called Takeover. Each time Takeover comes on, there is a certain buzz surrounding the events, mainly because of the match quality and low frequency of the events. They only happen every quarter basically so when they come on, it's a build that's been brewing for awhile and not something thrown together at the very last moment. Takeover has went up against many WWE PPVs, usually taking place in the same week as some. This time though, it's the lead in for WWE's biggest show of the year, Wrestlemania. Takeover Brooklyn took place the day before SummerSlam and was an amazing event, probably the best Takeover event yet. If they were that good leading into the summer's biggest event (and also at their first show away from Florida mind you) how much better will they be with the biggest show only two days after? Currently, there are 5 matches announced for the show with a 6th that I believe will be announced on the next NXT show. (It was) Let's get right into it!

Shinsuke Nakamura will be making his NXT debut when he faces Sami Zayn in what will probably be his last match with the NXT brand. Zayn will also be apart of the 7 man Ladder match so he's got double duty WM weekend. As with an debut on the NXT roster. the star's job is to make the new talent look as awesome and captivating as possible. I still remember getting goosebumps when Owens made his fantastic debut in 2014. It isn't Zayn's job to get the win here. He doesn't need it. His dream of becoming NXT Champion again is over and now that's he chasing after his friend's Intercontinental Title, there's no real reason to go after the NXT Title. Anyway, this should be an amazing match. I don't know if they two have ever faced one another but Zayn's high flying and never say die attitude will mesh well with the hard hitting style of Nakamura. After a solid 15 minute contest, it will be Nakamura who will get his hand raised high. Nakamura will immediately get pushed to the main event scene as he has an interesting opponent regardless of who wins the NXT Title match. Either he can face Balor, which would be a NJPW dream match or he can face Samoa Joe in what would definitely be the most hard hitting NXT feud of all time. The future is bright!

Apollo Crews will face Elias Sampson. Uh, what? Why? I'm a huge fan of Apollo Crews and I don't understand why he has been put in this position. He should be in the main event. He didn't come to NXT to be an afterthought. Anyway, this should be a good match. I saw them face each at the NXT event in Philadelphia this past February and they definitely had some good in ring chemistry. Sampson isn't bad at all but it's weird that he's one they decided to push with so much great indie talent in their company at this point. Rich Swann, Biff Busick, Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano could all do with being in this position. I don't think Sampson will go over on the big show so I'm going with Crews to win in a 8-10 minute match.

Chad Gable and Jason Jordan will challenge Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder for the NXT Tag Team Titles. This is the best tag team match that NXT has put on paper for their NXT event. American Alpha (Gable and Jordan) have been on a tear of the tag team division. The last time they lost as a team was against Corbin and Rhyno at Takeover Respect. Since then, they've beaten every former NXT Tag Team Champions that are still together. The Ascension, The Lucha Dragons, Blake and Murphy and The Vaudevillians all have fallen in their huge breakout. The Revival have done just what their names claims, revive the NXT tag division. They've been putting on some great matches with Enzo Amore and Colin Cassidy, who should be getting the main roster call-up any day now. They've been a dominant and vicious team, a team unlike any other in NXT history. This match should be a fun war. I'm a huge fan of both but more than anybody, I'm the biggest fan of Jason Jordan. When I first saw NXT in Philly, Jordan was in a squash match against Bull Dempsey, where the crowd called him Jason Jobber. Yes, classy as always Philadelphia. The point I'm trying to make is that I've wanted to see him succeed since then. I know people are more on Gable's bandwagon but don't sleep on Jordan. I'm not saying its a forgone conclusion that American Alpha will walk out iwth the victory but they've been the best team going in NXT and 2nd in WWE after The New Day. Why not give the most popular team the titles? In an amazing tag team war, American Alpha will come out with the much deserved win and with the NXT Tag Team Titles.

Austin Aries will also make his NXT live special debut against a fierce Baron Corbin. Corbin has been open about his hate for indie talent coming in and taking his spot. To combat that, he decided to ruin Aries' big NXT debut by attacking him. I don't know if Corbin is the best first opponent for Aries, but it will still be a good match regardless. Corbin is a great big man with a dominant move set. He's one of my favorite NXT originals and I hope they have big plans for him on the main roster based on his look and work ethic. I don't know how much longer he has in NXT and with it time for NXT call ups to the main roster, who knows? I'd love to see him in the Andre the Giant Battle Royal and win if the whole Strowman push thing is done. If he still has time in NXT, I'd love to see him team with Alex Riley and try to take the Internet darlings. This match though, will belong to Austin Aries as he continues to make make NXT a must watch brand. Aries wins.

In Bayley's toughest title defense to date, she will defend against the NXT Women's Title against Asuka. What better women's match to have on Wrestlemania weekend than this? This match has a main event feel to it as you have Bayley, the last member of the Four Horsewomen who is still in NXT and has carried on the great legacy of the women's division will face Asuka, a dominant, hard hitting and undefeated in competition. It's really a dream match for the division and one that will continue to shape the women in NXT and WWE. Bayley has champion since August and has beaten EVERY challenger that has come her way. Sasha Banks, Alexa Bliss, Eva Marie, Nia Jax and Carmella just to name a few. She's the face of the division. With NXT just being the starting point and not the destination, it may be finally time for Bayley to make her transition to the main roster. It would only make sense as her fellow Four Horsewomen are all waiting and competing for the Divas Title at Wrestlemania. After beating everybody, there's really no one else who could dethrone Bayley but Asuka. It's in my opinion that WWE should start the build to Banks/Bayley on the main roster. You do this by having Bayley drop the title to Asuka here, get her rematch in a Submission match at the next Takeover and have Bayley make her debut on the main roster in May sometime. That would be enough time to build towards the match and have it be in the same arena as their match of the year from last year. Asuka would have plenty of women to feud with and I'm sure a match with Nia Jax will be in the making. Or maybe Bayley will continue to run NXT and teach some of the younger women there for awhile longer. I really don't know...Despite what I said previously, Bayley will retain over Asuka in a bonafide match of the night.

Finn Balor will face Samoa Joe in a rematch from NXT Takeover London. So....why have a rematch on NXT's biggest show of the year? The only reason would be for Balor to finally drop the title to Joe and to make his main roster debut. His former Bullet Club members Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson are set to debut at any time now, apparently on the main roster. They wouldn't debut on the main roster without their main man Balor would they? How could they be the BALOR Club without him? This will be another great match between the two stars but I think the conclusion is already set with plans for the Balor Club already in place. Samoa Joe will be defeat Finn Balor and capture the NXT Championship, making him the first man to have held the ROH, TNA and NXT Titles.

NXT Takeover Dallas will set the pace for the entire weekend for WWE. It will no doubt be a great show and maybe the best NXT Takeover yet, if the card is anything to go off of.

Wrestlemania 32 predictions to follow!!