NXT TakeOver: XXX Predictions

It is time for the 30th NXT TakeOver, and we’ve got our usual suspects here to give you their predictions. Three title matches are on the card, as well as a battle between a wrestler and a retired punter. Strangely, that’s what we’re most looking forward to. Here are our predictions for NXT TakeOver: XXX.

Legado del Fantasm vs Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch & Breezango – NXT Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Match

Evan Gomes, FPC Wrestling Editor: This match is going to be a lot of fun. Breezango are sure to have fun gear and an entrance, but they’re also the least likely winners here. Let’s go with the newest team so we can get some faction warfare in NXT.

Pick: Legado del Fantasma

Javier Melo, FPC Contributor: I would LOVE for Breezango to win this match, but the idea of Legado del Fantasma challenging for the tag titles flanked by Santos Escobar against Imperium flanked by WALTER (who definitely won’t be in the U.S., but I can dream) is just perfect.

Pick: Legado del Fantasma

Kaden Hanafi, FPC Contributor:.Imperium won the belts fairly recently and it’s too early for them to lose. Lorcan and Burch are a good filler team until they get a true contender.

Pick: Lorcan & Burch

Adam Cole vs Pat McAfee

Evan: McAfee won’t win. Just understand that now so you aren’t disappointed later. However, I want him to punt Cole at least once so hard that we believe for just a millisecond. In the end, a punter and podcaster should not lose to the longest-reigning NXT Champion ever.

Pick: Adam Cole

Javier: Under no circumstance should Adam Cole lose this match. He’s been pulled at every turn by a punter. A PUNTER. Shane Lechler was better anyways. Cole wins and maybe UE turns on him so I can get the Cole/O’Reilly feud that I deserve. If not, whatever.

Pick: Adam Cole

Kaden: Adam Cole Baybay. Anyone that knows me knows that I’ve been a huge Pat McAfee fan for over a year. I watch his show every single day. With that being said, I’m so hyped for this match, but Adam Cole needs to win. This was the perfect opponent in my opinion to allow the Undisputed Era to turn face, and a Cole win will be a great sendoff for the NXT vets to the main roster.

Pick: Adam Cole

Finn Balor vs Timothy Thatcher

Evan: What is NXT’s plan with Finn Balor? That isn’t clear anymore, as he really lacks direction. Thatcher seems to have a lot more direction, running his wrestling clinics and trying to tear people’s limbs off. I’ll go with the wrestler with a bit more direction at the moment.

Pick: Timothy Thatcher

Javier: I’m going with Finn Balor. He loves Action Bronson so I stan.*

*Editor’s note – I don’t know who this is, and at this point I’m too afraid to ask – Evan

Pick: Finn Balor

Kaden: NXT has completely ruined Finn Balor over the last few months. He had a huge win at In Your House (which he should not have won) and got pinned 2 weeks later in the triple threat for the NA. It seems like Balor won’t do much more in NXT so the win should go to the guy who’s being built up.

Pick: Timothy Thatcher

Io Shirai (c) vs Dakota Kai – NXT Women’s Championship

Evan: Dakota Kai has Raquel Gonzalez back in her corner now, which is a huge advantage over Io Shirai. I just don’t think it’s time for Kai yet. Shirai will hold on, but her grasp on the title is getting more tenuous by the week.

Pick: Io Shirai

Javier: I know Shirai just won the title at the last Takeover, but I just don’t care about her as champion and it honestly just feels right having Kai win the belt. She has a heavy with her, immediate feuds that can be set up and just has been killing it during her heel run.

Pick: Dakota Kai

Kaden: I love Io Shirai so much but I’m such a massive Kai mark. She has been killing it as of late and deserves the belt. I’m also using my head a bit on this one since Sasha and Bayley defend their titles against an unannounced opponent next weekend, so I’m guessing they pair up Asuka and Io.

Pick: Io Shirai

Bronson Reed vs Damian Priest vs Cameron Grimes vs Johnny Gargano vs Velveteen Dream – NXT North American Championship Ladder Match

Evan: To quote the kids, it’s “thicc boi szn”. Having Bronson Reed win the NXT North American title would give him some more exposure and I think he could really carry a workhorse title like the midcard belt. Plus, I truly have a soft spot for him. The only wrong answer in this match is giving the belt to Dream.

Pick: Bronson Reed

Javier: I HATE IT TOO, BUT IT SHALL BE DONE. Grimes is probably the worst option to win this title outside of Johnny Gargano (he’s already had it before and I don’t need that again). Grimes had a competitive match with Keith Lee a few weeks ago and I just feel like they’re ready to give him a solid push. My heart wants Damian Priest, but my mind knows better.

Pick: Cameron Grimes

Kaden: The two people that I see winning are Bronson Reed and Damien Priest. Reed hasn’t been exposed enough in NXT for him to hold the belt and Priest desperately needs a massive win. However, I’d be fine with anyone winning this match except for one person.

Pick: Damian Priest

Keith Lee (c) vs Karrion Kross – NXT Championship

Evan: It is going to be so sad to see, but it is time to Fall and Pray. When Lee makes it to the main roster and has a lot more success it will ease the pain.

Pick: Karrion Kross

Javier: Lee just dropped his other title to focus on this one and it would make him look like such a loser if he lost it in his first major defense, but that’s fine. Kross is a star. Scarlett is a star. That duo are going to get the rocket push on whatever brand they end up on, but for now it’s the NXT Championship.

Pick: Karrion Kross

Kaden: Ever since Keith Lee broke the hourglass in July, I knew Kross would take the title at Takeover 30. This feud has been absolutely incredible so far and I cannot wait for this epic main event. Kross will win with some trickery from Scarlett, and we will bask in the glory of Mr. Lee on Monday Night Raw or Friday Night Smackdown.

Pick: Karrion Kross

That’s who we have winning at NXT TakeOver: XXX. Do you think we hit the nail on the head, or do you think we’ve been dropped on our heads? Let us know on Twitter at @FPC_Wrestling and enjoy the show!