NXT Takeover: New Orleans; Predictions and Analysis of WWE's third brand's biggest show of the year.
It's that time of year again.
Football fans have the world cup, the MLB has the World Series, and wrestling fans have Wrestlemania. While not the first wrestling PPV, WWE's annual show has become the standard by which all others are judged in terms of fanfare, pomp, and significance. What happens at Wrestlemania can literally change the business for better or worse.
But what about the OTHER show the first weekend of April? NXT Takeover has demonstrated a tendency to outshine the WWE's 'main' brand pay per views, and by all indications NXT Takeover: New Orleans is going to be the biggest Takeover event yet.
Here are predictions and analysis of what could be NXT's biggest show ever.
Tommaso Ciampa vs Johnny Gargano
When DIY first formed, it was clear to longtime fans of Ciampa and Gargano that the team would only be temporary.
Both men were known primarily as singles competitors before joining NXT, and the fact is Ciampa has spent most of his career as a heel, while Johnny Gargano couldn't get the fans to boo him if he sprayed the crowd with sewage.
Their split up and subsequent feud had to be put on hiatus while Ciampa recovered from an injury, but ever since the Sicilian Psychopath's return, their confrontations have been red hot.
With the two scheduled to face each other in a no-holds-barred Unsanctioned match at Takeover, the fever pitch for this match has reached an all-time high. Those familiar with both men's prior careers known they can get hardcore when necessary.
Prediction: Gargano will likely defeat his former ally, but there's always a chance Ciampa will pull the upset win.
Analysis: No matter the victor, this will probably be the best match of the night. Two of the best technicians the sport has ever known will face off with all moves and weapons illegal. This match will definitely increase the stock of both men and should be the final match of their feud because there's really no way to ramp up their rivalry from here.