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 UK CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
WALTER (c) vs. Rampage Brown
Heat Index = Hot
Prediction: WALTER wins.
Thoughts: This is actually a tough one to call. I’ve had Rampage Brown down as my go-to pick for the only one I can see being able to topple WALTER. He’s already beaten Pete Dunne’s record, so if WWE was waiting for that, the trigger can be pulled at any time. Plus, WALTER will have, in kayfabe, just fought Tommaso Ciampa the prior night at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. Obviously, he retains the title there, or this match doesn’t happen. But does that mean he’s susceptible to dropping the title to Rampage Brown? Truth be told, who says WALTER has to drop the title any time soon at all? WWE could even want to keep it on WALTER until well past another year. Every time I’ve thought there was a chance WALTER could lose, I’ve been wrong. Now, I feel like no matter what I say, I’m going to be wrong. That makes me even more interested, though.
NXT UK HERITAGE CUP NO. 1 CONTENDER’S MATCH:
Noam Dar vs. Tyler Bate
Heat Index = Temperate
Prediction: Noam Dar wins.
Thoughts: I’m so tempted to say Tyler Bate wins this, turns heel and beats A-Kid. My gut is telling me that. On the other hand, my brain is telling me Bate is doing this zen gimmick and that’s probably enough of a character change without turning heel. This has me intrigued because of that, even though I’m possibly looking far too into it. It could just be as simple as Dar wins so A-Kid has a heel to fight. With that being said, I want Dar or Bate as champion over A-Kid, so I’m cool with either winning. The match should be good, but probably not anything too memorable.
TAG TEAM MATCH:
Kay Lee Ray and Isla Dawn vs. Emilia McKenzie and Meiko Satomura
Heat Index = Temperate
Prediction: McKenzie and Satomura win.
Thoughts: I’d have been much more interested in a Fatal 4-Way or just McKenzie against Ray for the title. A tag team match like this is just meh to kill time. Generally speaking, filler is middle of the road content and as such, it gets a middle of the road level of hype. I’ve liked what I’ve seen so far of McKenzie, so that’s a plus, but I’m not so excited to see her in action that I’m squirming in my chair or bouncing off the walls in anticipation. It’s just a match and she’ll likely get the win so she can be positioned as the next challenger.
OVERALL SHOW:
How excited am I for the event as a whole?
Heat Index = Temperate
Thoughts: For the most part, this is a one-match card with the only real draw for me being “Does WALTER drop the belt?” I can’t imagine it will be one of the better overall programs during WrestleMania Week, nor does it feel like a special event anymore. Originally, it seemed like it might be. Now, by the time we’ve gotten the full card breakdown, it just underwhelms. It should be fine, but mediocre isn’t something to get a Scorching, Hot or even Lukewarm.
What do you think is going to happen at WWE NXT UK: Prelude? Which matches are you most excited to see? Keep the discussion going in the comments below!
