Match Predictions and Heat Index Anticipation Levels
Temperature Scale = Scorching > Hot > Lukewarm > Temperate > Chilly > Cold > Freezing
Heat Index is my assessment of how interesting the segment is, including how excited I am for the match and how intriguing the feud has been. The hotter, the better. Scorching translates to not being able to wait to see it, while Freezing means I couldn’t possibly care less and think it will be awful.
NXT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Karrion Kross (c) vs. Samoa Joe
Heat Index = Hot
Prediction: Samoa Joe wins.
Thoughts: I’m so glad Joe is back to being cleared. A match against Kross wasn’t on my list that I wanted him to do, as opposed to facing John Cena and some others, but I’ll take it. Kross is on Raw now and has to drop that title at some point, so let’s have him lose it to Joe and it won’t look all that bad. That seems too obvious, though, doesn’t it? My better judgment says to just go with the smart bet, but my gut is telling me something’s fishy and Kross might just retain. That has me curious.
NXT WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Raquel Gonzalez (c) vs. Dakota Kai
Heat Index = Hot
Prediction: Raquel Gonzalez wins.
Thoughts: Hopefully, these two have been planning this out long enough that they have a distinct passion they’re going to bring to the table. Gonzalez has been getting better and better. Kai is rock solid and can help her fill in the blanks. This should, for all intents and purposes, be one of the better matches we’ve seen for the women’s title in a little while. The belt says on Raquel and Kai goes up to Raw or SmackDown in the draft.
NXT UK CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
WALTER (c) vs. Ilja Dragunov
Heat Index = Scorching
Prediction: Ilja Dragunov wins.
Thoughts: These two beat the shit out of each other the last time they fought. It was one of the best matches in NXT UK history. Of course I’m excited to see what they do to each other in front of a crowd, however small it might be. While I’ve been wrong before, I have to assume this is where WALTER drops the title, which would be interesting to see, too. Frankly, I’m rooting for WALTER to win, though.
2-OUT-OF-3 FALLS MATCH:
Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly
Heat Index = Scorching
Prediction: Kyle O’Reilly wins.
Thoughts: By no means would I have picked a steel cage as the final fall for this match. I think that’s a mistake. However, these two are fantastic and they’ve had great matches in the past alongside each other and against each other. I see no reason why I can’t put it at Scorching and expect them to put on a Match of the Year candidate. This is especially interesting as it may be Cole’s last match in WWE if he doesn’t sign a new contract, so he may give it everything he’s got. O’Reilly should win regardless of Cole’s future.
MILLION DOLLAR CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
LA Knight (c) vs. Cameron Grimes
Heat Index = Temperate
Prediction: Cameron Grimes wins.
Thoughts: All three parties are great, but this is the third match of this feud. It’s been stretched thin enough for me to not be excited about it like I was the first time or so.
PRE-SHOW MATCH:
Ridge Holland vs. Trey Baxter
Heat Index = Temperate
Prediction: Ridge Holland wins.
Thoughts: Not only is this a pre-show match, it’s also a non-feud. This should, in all likelihood, be a squash. I like Ridge Holland and I’ve enjoyed what I’ve seen so far from Baxter. It should be a fine couple minutes of action.
OVERALL PPV:
How excited am I for the event as a whole?
Heat Index = Hot
Thoughts: NXT has the best track record for pay-per-views. It’s rare that matches aren’t at least good, if not great. With so much of the black and gold brand up in the air, I’m interested to see how WWE views the roster and where these titles will land and such. This should be a great show that won’t overstay its welcome.
What do you think is going to happen at WWE NXT TakeOver 36? Which matches are you most excited to see? Keep the discussion going in the comments below!
