NXT TakeOver has been a staple of WrestleMania weekend for the past few years, aside from in 2020 when the pandemic resulted in the show being canceled. This year, it returns, and for the first time ever it is too big for just one night. Stand and Deliver will take place on April 7 and April 8 and feature ten blockbuster matches. Here are our predictions for what will go down in each one.
Night One
Io Shirai vs. Raquel Gonzalez for the NXT Women's Championship: Io Shirai
Io Shirai is so sick of no one being able to beat her that she has resorted to seeking out her own challengers. After seeing off Toni Storm, the champ stormed to the locker room and informed Raquel Gonzalez she will be her next challenger. The trouble is, we can see this match going the same way. Shirai to win this one, but we're guessing the powerhouse that is Gonzalez will prove to be a tougher opponent than most.
Walter vs. Tomasso Ciampa for the NXT UK Championship: Walter
The NXT UK Title was effectively on hiatus for the majority of 2020 due to its brand being shut down. That hasn't stopped Walter from bragging about being the longest-reigning UK Champion of all time. Tomasso Ciampa will be hoping to shut him up at TakeOver, but we can't see that happening. It would require Ciampa to travel to and from the UK, which is unlikely since he previously stated he's avoiding the main roster due to travel.
MSK vs. Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Legado Del Fantasma for the NXT Tag Team Championships: Legado Del Fantasma
Due to an injury suffered by Danny Burch, the NXT Tag Titles are currently vacant. Three teams will compete to be crowned the new champs at TakeOver and honestly, any of them could win this one. Since picking all three teams to win would be a cop-out on our part, we're going with Legado Del Fantasma. More on why they get our pick in this one during night two's predictions.
Gauntlet Eliminator Match to Determine the Number One Contender for the North American Championship: Cameron Grimes
Johnny Gargano will defend the North American Title on night two. However, he won't know who his opponent will be until this match has happened. Six men competing in an all-new match type. Even though LA Knight will enter last and have the edge, we're going with Cameron Grimes in this one. The man can do no wrong right now and NXT seems keen to capitalize on that.
Pete Dunne vs. Kushida: Pete Dunne
Pete Dunne would have been our pick to go the distance and beat Gargano for the title. However, he and Kushida got so tied up in what they think of each other while trying to qualify for the gauntlet match that neither of them made it. The consolation prize is a non-title match against each other at TakeOver, and it's one we think The Bruiserweight will win.
Night Two
Finn Balor vs. Karrion Kross for the NXT Championship: Finn Balor
It took him a while, but Finn Balor eventually proved he still has what he appeared to have lost on the main roster. The Irishman is once again NXT Champion and judging by what we have seen so far, nothing is going to change that anytime soon. That includes Karrion Kross. Like Shirai, it is going to take something special to get that gold away from Balor.
Adam Cole vs. Kyle O'Reilly in an Unsanctioned Match: Kyle O'Reilly
If this isn't the best match across both nights, then we might well eat our hats. The Undisputed Era has imploded, and this is Kyle O'Reilly's chance to prove he has what it takes to be a top guy. After coming up short against Balor on two occasions, we fully expect this to be O'Reilly's night. Who better to prove yourself against than the man who has been keeping you at the same level for years?
Johnny Gargano vs. The Winner of Night One's Gauntlet Eliminator: Gauntlet Eliminator Winner
If our night one prediction is right, it will be Grimes winning this match. However, no matter who emerges victorious from the gauntlet match, we're expecting a title change in this one. Dexter Lumis is another viable option to become North American Champion, as is LA Knight. Whoever he comes up against, we foresee it being a bad night for Johnny TakeOver.
Jordan Devlin vs. Santos Escobar in a Ladder Match for the Unified NXT Cruiserweight Championship: Santos Escobar
NXT crowned a new Cruiserweight Champion while Jordan Devlin was stuck in the UK. The trouble is, they didn't take the original title away from The Irish Ace. That has led to this rather awkward situation. Remember our prediction regarding the Tag Titles relating to something on night two? Here it is. We're expecting every member of Legado Del Fantasma to be draped in gold once TakeOver is done.
Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart vs. The Way for the NXT Women's Tag Team Championships: The Way
NXT has Women's Tag Team Titles, and they changed hands just an hour after the first champions were crowned. Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart have managed to keep hold of the gold since then, but that will come to an end at TakeOver. Not only do Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell actually have a name, but they are more than just two great singles stars that have been thrown together. No offense meant to the current champs.