WWE NXT TakeOver: New Orleans Match Card and Predictions

new orleans
Source: WWE

WrestleMania weekend is here. With that, we shall be treated to the latest instalment in the heralded NXT TakeOver canon. From top to bottom, this is possibly the best NXT card ever assembled, with a balance of established stars and exciting new additions. This may very well be the last time we see many of the wrestlers slated to perform. The traditional spot for NXT call-ups falls right after WrestleMania, so let’s savour them while we can.

Here’s the breakdown of the NXT TakeOver: New Orleans card, along with our predictions.

 

Unsanctioned Match

Johnny Gargano Vs. Tommaso Ciampa

gargano ciampa
Source: WWE

No storyline in NXT has been as captivating as the ascension of Johnny Gargano. NXT’s answer to Daniel Bryan has been on a personal journey that was sadly cut short by multiple defeats at the hands of Andrade “Cien” Almas. Thanks to interference from his former best friend in a match that would see Gargano fired from NXT if he lost, Johnny Wrestling is back for one night only for vengeance. This match is unsanctioned, which allows Gargano to compete for storyline purposes. However, he will be permanently banned from NXT if he loses, while he’ll be reinstated if he wins.

Prediction: It’s Johnny Gargano’s time to come up to the main roster. He’s fought everyone there is to fight in NXT. This will be Tomasso Ciampa’s first match since his return from injury and he needs to make a statement. He’s already the most despised heel on the yellow brand, that heat will be tenfold if he banishes NXT’s most likable figure to the Shadow Realm (205 Live). “The Sicilian Psychopath” is the only logical pick here.

 

Triple Threat Tag Team Match for the NXT Tag Team Championship and the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Trophy

The Undisputed Era (C) Vs. The Authors of Pain (with Paul Ellering) Vs. Pete Dunne and Roderick Strong

New Orleans NXT predictions

This one’s for all the tag team marbles. Bobby Fish is out with an injury, so his UE leader has stepped in to make sure this match still happens. Acting as both the final of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and a title match, it’s all very weird. In theory, Undisputed Era could win and would thus be awarded a trophy that they didn’t even compete to earn. On top of that, the AOP are already former NXT Tag Team Champions and won the last Dusty Classic last time. Neither team really belongs here.

Prediction: The only team that stands to gain anything is that of Pete Dunne and Roderick Strong. AOP are long overdue a main roster call-up and will likely finally show up on either Raw or SmackDown post-Mania. Undisputed Era can’t continue as a two-man group and remain in the tag title scene, due to Adam Cole’s commitments as a singles wrestler. Expect “The Bruiserweight” and Roddy to walk away victorious.

 

Six-Man Ladder Match for the Inaugural NXT North American Championship

EC3 Vs. Adam Cole Vs. The Velveteen Dream Vs. Ricochet Vs. Lars Sullivan Vs. Killian Dain

takeover ladder
Source: WWE

Kudos to Triple H and his crew for booking a match that truly anybody could win, yes, even Lars Sullivan. Everybody involved here represents the future of NXT, especially the debuting EC3 and Ricochet. The man formally known as Ethan Carter III made his first appearance as an NXT signee on last week’s episode. He promised that he represents the pinnacle of sports entertainment, reassuring viewers that his character is mostly unchanged from his Impact days.

Ricochet will no doubt steal the show. His brand of high-flying genius makes a ladder match the perfect setting for his TakeOver debut. Killian Dain and Lars Sullivan will be the victims of many bumps, which I’m confident they will dole out in equal measure. Velveteen Dream will be the crowd favourite, as he’s NXT’s most over character.

Prediction: I’m a firm believer in hard work paying off, and no one will work harder at TakeOver than Adam Cole. He will be the first performer in NXT history to pull double duty at the big show, he’s not going to lose twice. Cast your minds back to TakeOver: Philadelphia and the hellish bumps that Cole took at the hands of Aleister Black. He’s proven that he’s one of the most dedicated performers in the company. Expect Cole to be taken out early so he can sell for a while and get his wind back, only to swoop in at the end and become the first ever NXT North American Champion.

 

NXT Women’s Championship Match

Ember Moon (C) Vs. Shayna Baszler

ember vs shayna
Source: WWE

In a rematch from the last TakeOver event, Shayna Baszler’s been protected to the nth degree since her sudden loss at the hands of the champion. Losing via a roll-up didn’t damage Shayna’s dominant aura, as her vicious post-match assault on Ember Moon demonstrated. There isn’t as much heat around this match as there should be, but it’s tough to build to a redo of a match from a couple of months ago when every other match on the card is a fresh encounter.

Prediction: Logic dictates that as Ember showed up in the Rumble and got a fluke win in January, this is the time for her to drop the belt and be called up to main. There hasn’t been a true heel NXT Women’s Champion since Sasha Banks (tweener Asuka doesn’t count), Shayna Baszler as the top dog would be a breath of fresh air. Shayna to win, preferably by submission to get over just how dangerous she is.

 

NXT Championship Match

Andrade “Cien” Almas (C) (with Zelina Vega) Vs. Aleister Black

black almas
Source: WWE

This could very well steal the entire WrestleMania weekend. In Almas and Black, you have two of the most complete workers in the business today. Two geniuses between the ropes who more than deserve their main event spot. Almas is coming off the first WWE match since 2011 to earn a five star rating from Dave Meltzer, while Black is coming off another match of the year candidate with his extreme rules bout against Adam Cole. Both men are on top of the world.

Prediction: In the same vein as Ember Moon, Andrade had a notable appearance at the Royal Rumble back in January. This means that promotion to main is probably on the horizon. With Aleister Black still standing undefeated in singles competition, his wave of momentum needs to be paired with a championship victory. Black is ready to carry this brand and Almas is ready to make it on main. Almas won’t be very tranquilo once the Dutchman kicks his head clean off.

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