I know a lot of people have been disappointed with the use of Kassius Ohno in NXT, but I like him in the mentor role he’s in. He’s been working a lot of the young, inexperienced guys, like Lars, on live events. This will be the first real test for Lars and there aren’t many better to be in there with than Ohno. I think the match will be solid, and Lars will surprise many by winning in rather convincing fashion. It won’t be a squash, but Lars will look very impressive.
Winner: Lars Sullivan
This has been my favorite male program NXT has put on all year. Gargano/Ciampa would’ve probably been higher, but Ciampa’s injury put that on hold. The Velveteen Dream is an absolute blast, who completely nails his character. Aleister Black is a very good wrestler, who should be able to put on the best match of Dream’s young career. I don’t expect Dream to win at all, but I’d be totally happy if he did. I’m gonna say Black gets the win, but it’ll be Dream’s next step into becoming a star.
Winner: Aleister Black
This is the hardest match to predict by a wide margin. Nikki Cross is a great choice, because I feel she’s the most complete package among the NXT women. However, if she wins, SAnitY will have multiple titles, which I see as more of a heel stable trope. Peyton Royce would be an excellent candidate, as I could see her sharing the title with Billie Kay and their segments would be golden. She deserves this recognition. Ember Moon makes a good pick after coming up just short against Asuka multiple times. But, a loss here could send her frustration into heel turn territory, which is an interesting route for her. Kairi Sane is the least interesting pick to me, but after winning the Mae Young Classic, I could see her getting a big push. However, unlike Asuka, I think Sane works better as an underdog chasing the title, than as a dominant champion. My heart says Peyton, but I’m gonna say Ember finally does it.
Winner: Ember Moon
Along with Johnny Gargano, Andrade Almas is my favorite NXT wrestler. The dude is fantastic and the addition of Zelina Vega as a mouthpiece was just what he needed to make it to the next level. If I were booking, he’d absolutely win the NXT Championship here. But I’m not booking. Drew McIntyre will retain the title here and most likely lose it to Adam Cole. Yawn. Maybe Almas gets called up after this match, though I’m not sure he’d get much of a push there. Ah, well. This should be a pretty good outing.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
It’s still wild that I’m going to watch a WWE produced War Games match. And even crazier to think that the first WWE War Games features Roderick Strong, reDRagon, Eric Young and Adam Cole. 2017 is strange. I’m excited for this match because it’s historic, it should be bananas and I really like most of the guys involved. I believe the Undisputed Era has to win here. SAnitY have the Tag Titles, so they’ll be fine coming out of this regardless of the outcome. The Authors of Pain and Roderick Strong aren’t a usual team, so they won’t have the chemistry of the other trios and that could cost them. Plus, Cole/O’Reilly/Fish came in as big deals and a win in this kind of match would fully establish them.
Winner: The Undisputed Era
