With the promotion of WWE’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view as a ‘Big 5’ show, the event is getting its own Takeover special on the preceding day this year…
The fact that NXT still comes under the WWE umbrella is barely believable because the difference between the main-roster product and that on show in NXT is mind-boggling. When every NXT Takeover comes around, fans think there is no way the brand can top its previous show-piece but somehow they manage to take it up a notch.
The last PPV on WrestleMania weekend in April gave us two separate 5-star matches (as voted by famous wrestling journalist, Dave Meltzer), with the 6-man ladder match for the new North American championship and the Unsanctioned match between best-friends-turned-bitter enemies, Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa. This year’s event, on Saturday 16th June, promises to bring us a number of mouth-watering encounters and breathtaking moments.
As a fan, I have completely been switched off from the inconsequential and meaningless storylines on the main roster. There is just no way you can make me write a preview for Roman Reigns vs Jinder Mahal. NXT is the closest thing to New Japan-style wrestling that we will ever see in WWE.
Without any further, let’s preview the Takeover Chicago match card and make predictions:
It ALL comes to a head this Saturday at #NXTTakeOver: Chicago II. @ProjectCiampa @JohnnyGargano pic.twitter.com/ga3s0zzAjY
— WWE (@WWE) June 15, 2018
Ricochet vs. the Velveteen Dream
The Velveteen Dream, aka Patrick Clark, has a remarkable story. Originally part of one of the old Tough Enough reality shows, he was much loved as the only actual wrestling fan in the competition and was unjustly eliminated before the finale. A true WWE home-grown product, Clark has grown leaps and bounds as a wrestler and as a character, proving that having a passion for the business is far greater than simply having the look of a star.
Compared to the Velveteen Dream, Ricochet’s journey to WWE is quite a contrast. A true ‘indy darling’ before joining NXT earlier this year, Ricochet, aka Prince Puma, is known for his high-flying, pulsating matches. Do check out his classics with Will Ospreay in New Japan.
The build-up for this match has been great with both men trying to one-up each other. Ricochet is the clear baby-face while Velveteen Dream is also much loved for his work by the hardcore fan base. In my opinion, the young upstart Velveteen Dream doesn’t need the win here while Ricochet could do with a big win on PPV after coming up short in the ladder match in New Orleans. Expect a high-energy, fast-paced 15-20 minute classic.
Winner: Ricochet
The Undisputed Era (Strong and O’Reilly) (c) vs. Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch for the NXT Tag Team Championships
With Bobby Fish still injured, the induction of Roderick Strong into the Undisputed Era came just at the right time, helping the stable feel just as fresh and different as before.
The team of Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch seems to be thrown together as placeholders before Moustache Mountain (Trent Seven and Tyler Bate) can be introduced into the tag-team title picture and form their own faction alongside Pete Dunne in opposition to the Adam Cole and his goons.
Winners: Undisputed Era (Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly), and still NXT Tag Team champions
Speaking of Adam Cole (baybay), it’s astounding as to how he doesn’t have a match at Takeover at the time of writing. However, things are always subject to change and rumour has it we could see Adam Cole vs Pete Dunne in a non-title match in what should be an instant classic.
Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa (Chicago Street Fight)
The second instalment of Gargano-Ciampa comes to us this time in a Chicago Street Fight which, let’s face it, is no different in terms of stipulation than any other regular WWE-styled street fight. Nevertheless, the story of these two former tag-team champions now at each other’s throats is compelling to say the least. The story has been the perfect example of long-term storytelling at its best – one that we would never see on the main roster.
With rumours of this feud being stretched out to a trilogy, expect the ‘Sicilian Psycopath’ Tommaso Ciampa to get the win here in what should be a brutal match and tie the series at 1-1. The rubber match should be absolutely exhilarating.
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa
Shayna Baszler (c) vs. Nikki Cross for the NXT Women’s Championship
The last remaining member of Sanity in NXT, Nikki Cross, gets one final crack at the NXT Women’s championship as she takes on the Queen of Spades, Shayna Baszler.
Cross has been trying to play Shayna’s own intimidation game against her as she tries to be the first to successfully get inside the head of the former UFC star and current NXT champion. Although Shayna is still relatively green, I don’t see the brass ending her reign so soon especially with no possible stories going forward if Nikki wins the belt.
Winner: Shayna Baszler, and still NXT Women’s champion
Aleister Black (c) vs. Lars Sullivan for the NXT Championship
Lars Sullivan, formerly known as Dylan Miley, is another of WWE’s home-grown success stories. The monster has evolved from a tag-team trialist to a bona fide main-eventer in NXT.
Sullivan is nothing like anyone the champion Aleister Black has faced so far in his NXT career and the build-up to this match has been interesting to say the least. Lars Sullivan has absolutely destroyed Aleister at every turning with the champion looking helpless. However, we’ve seen in the past that it only takes one Black Mass for Aleister to put away his opponents. If he hits it, it’s lights out for Lars Sullivan.
It’s too early in Lars’ main-event career to be winning the NXT Championship and I don’t see it happening in Chicago, unless Aleister is moving up to the main roster (God, I hope not). Aleister’s reign should continue with a possible feud against EC3 going forward.
Winner: Aleister Black, and still NXT Champion