WWE NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4 Match Card And Predictions

brooklyn 4
Source: WWE

Despite serving as the developmental counterpart to SummerSlam, the Brooklyn edition of NXT’s TakeOver series could be argued as the WrestleMania of the yellow brand. Pivotal moments like the Sasha/Bayley classic in 2015, to the debut of The Undisputed Era last year have defined the magnitude of this show. With some incredible matches booked for Saturday (and the potential debut of a certain Matt Riddle on the horizon), I’m sure we can expect yet another classic offering from Triple H’s pet project. Here are our predictions for NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4.

 

EC3 Vs. Velveteen Dream

ec3 vd
Source: WWE

EC3 missed out on the Chicago card back in June, but having his first singles match on the big show be against Velveteen Dream is an inspired choice. Stemming from a miscommunication in a tag match at the Royal Albert Hall, the two finest character workers in NXT facing off in a showcase contest only makes sense. They had a surreal but entertaining skit by a swimming pool last week, and I hope that they form an odd couple tag team after this match.

Prediction: It’s a shame I’m calling it for EC3, as Velveteen Dream has lost every feud he’s had in NXT (apart from Kassius Ohno, but everyone beats him), but the top one percenter needs a signature win to establish himself. Dream has been a consistent highlight that always leaves me wanting more, he understands the core elements of wrestling incredibly well for someone so young. I just know that his efforts will be rewarded. He keeps getting booked on TakeOver cards, so he clearly carries value in the eyes of officials.

 

NXT Tag Team Championship Match

The Undisputed Era (Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong) (C) Vs. Moustache Mountain (Tyler Bate and Trent Seven)

tue vs mm
Source: WWE

I bloody love everything about this match. Capping off a trilogy that began at the UK Title Tourney earlier this year, these four men have even managed to acquire an elusive five-star Meltzer rating along the way. Even more impressive is that it was the first time ever that a tag match under the WWE banner has been given that vaunted seal of approval. Undisputed Era have been on an incredible run, and it’s only right that they sit on top of the pile a year after they formed. Expect an absolute classic.

Prediction: With the news that NXT UK will be a thing and will have its own tag titles, it’s somewhat of a spoiler that Moustache Mountain aren’t winning here. Their brief reign was a nice feelgood moment and I have no doubts that they’ll be the centrepiece of the UK tag division down the line, but tonight isn’t their night. I’m gonna make a bold prediction here and say that we will see Undisputed Era retain via interference from a returning Bobby Fish. He picked up an injury back in March with a projected six-month recovery time, so he is frustratingly close to an in-ring return. I for one cannot wait to see all four members of NXT’s top group healthy and dominating the competition. Also, it’s just gonna be nice to have Bobby Fish and his amazing facial hair back.

 

NXT North American Championship Match

Adam Cole (C) Vs. Ricochet

adam cole vs ricochet
Source: WWE

When Adam Cole became the inaugural North American Champion back in New Orleans, it just felt right. He leads a faction that is decked out with gold and is NXT’s #2 bastard behind Tommaso Ciampa. He’s no stranger to Ricochet, both in NXT and on the indies, so they should have wicked chemistry right off the bat. This one could be a potential show stealer.

Prediction: Probably the toughest match of the night to call, I can see it going either way. Cole and his crew can continue to dominate and be the one constant in NXT, or Ricochet can be that babyface mid-card champion while Cole graduates to the main title scene. Every belt in NXT is currently held by a heel and I think we should anticipate at least one title change, so I’m calling it here. I reckon Ricochet takes it, but it’s a 51-49 split, do not be surprised if Cole retains.

 

NXT Women’s Championship Match

Shayna Baszler (C) Vs. Kairi Sane

shayna vs kairi
Source: WWE

Full disclosure, I love Shayna Baszler. Her rough around the edges, no nonsense badassery brings a different flavour to the indie-style trappings of NXT. And while her title matches have fallen short of classic status due to rather abrupt endings, I kind of like it. She’s an MMA fighter, it’s cool that it feels like she can end a match at any moment. It’s smart booking that makes her feel legit. Regarding Kairi Sane, I’m surprised it’s taken her this long to really get a proper programme for the belt. The inaugural Mae Young Classic winner has played second fiddle to the very woman she beat in the finals of NXT’s women’s tournament. There’s an in-built story here that has been played up fabulously.

Prediction: It’s another tough one. Kairi winning would garner a positive reaction and would act as great press for this year’s edition of the MYC. On the other hand, Shayna racking up win after win over established names on big shows will get her over as a killer. I think we have to factor in October’s all-women’s Evolution PPV when looking at this match. The title will be defended on that card and it may very well be these two again. Kairi is currently 1-0 against Shayna, so it would be logical to have Baszler tie it up here and have the rubber match take place on the much-hyped historic show. Based on that logic alone, I’m going with Shayna.

 

Last Man Standing Match for the NXT Championship

Tommaso Ciampa (C) Vs. Johnny Gargano

ciampa vs gargano
Source: WWE

You can’t help but feel bad for Aleister Black. The match that was a triple threat would have been his first ever TakeOver main event, but an unfortunately timed legitimate groin injury scuppered those plans. What’s worse is that with a projected three-week recovery time, he’s just barely missing out on this one. But let’s look at what we do have: a last man standing match to cap off the greatest feud not just in NXT history, but possibly the best we’ve seen in the entire WWE in years. I do not envy the position these two men are in, as they’re going to need everything but the kitchen sink to top their last two encounters. I know that they’ll give us something special, though. It is Brooklyn, after all.

Prediction: As lovely as a Gargano win would be, I don’t want him to ever win the big one. Not out of spite, but because I love the thrill of the chase too much. Ciampa is simply so hated, so despised that I want him to keep a grip on that title with an iron fist. His heat will stay hot if he disposes of Johnny Gargano once and for all. Perhaps Aleister Black can initiate his rematch clause after this for WarGames (if he hasn’t made the jump to main at that point), or maybe we’ll even see Adam Cole step up. There are a lot of variables here, but I’m in camp Ciampa for this one.

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