One final chance for a veteran star? Last-minute predictions for WWE NXT Heatwave
NXT Heatwave emanates from Toronto, Canada off the heels of WWE's annual Money in the Bank Premium Live Event. The PLE promises an engrossing and action-packed night.
Trick Williams will fend off three challengers and doesn't need to be pinned to lose his title. Roxanne Perez tries to overcome a hard-charging Lola Vice while the tag team Champions aren't on the same page.
If Wes Lee cannot defeat Oba Femi, he will not receive another shot at the North American Championship while Femi holds the title.
Which performers will etch their names in the record books in Toronto? Here are some last-minute predictions for NXT Heatwave.
#6. Karmen Petrovic and Arianna Grace face Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx
With Natalya's WWE future up in the air, Karmen Petrovic lost her closest ally. That loss factored into the decision when Jacy Jayne interfered in Karmen's match with Jazmyn Nyx.
Nyx picked up an upset win but it was to set up this tag team bout at Heatwave. Since the event takes place in Toronto, it would be disappointing for the hometown girls (Grace and Petrovic) to eat a loss.
Fallon Henley still looms in the background to give the heels the numbers advantage. She can make her presence felt after the match or on the following episode of NXT.
Prediction - The Canadian ladies defeat Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx.
#5. Sol Ruca challenges Kelani Jordan for the Women's North American Title
Jordan was the runner-up in the most recent Women's Breakout Tournament, falling to Lola Vice at the final hurdle. Making the finals meant that big things were in her future, including becoming the inaugural Women's North American Champion.
Ruca had a similar push but missed time with a knee injury. Her skill set greatly resembles Jordan's, leading one to believe that the match will be filled with high-flying moves and counters.
Styles make fights, but Ruca's final performance before NXT Heatwave was sloppy. Jordan just won the title and talked about creating the lineage around it.
With a lot of eyes from the locker room on the match, both stars will try to steal the show. If bookers wanted Ruca to be the champion, she would have won it at Battleground.
Prediction - Kelani Jordan jumps her way to victory.
#4. Can Nathan Frazer and Axiom get on the same page at NXT Heatwave?
Axiom and Nathan Frazer have proved a stabilizing force for the tag team division. The two play off each other well and can wrestle any style. Chase University is regularly featured in NXT and has already captured tag team gold.
Ridge Holland's involvement with the faction has given him something meaningful to do. He's helped Chase U win its last two matches but won't be welcomed at NXT Heatwave after a discussion about his actions.
On the other side, Nathan Frazer has been burning the candle at both ends as tag champ. He's taken single matches on Speed and for the Heritage Cup. Axiom hasn't been happy with that. It'll come to a head at NXT Heatwave.
Prediction - Chase University wins tag team gold again.
#3. Will Oba Femi's dominance continue against Wes Lee?
Wes Lee may be the longest-reigning North American Champion but Oba Femi has been the most dominant. He's beaten opponents like Joe Coffey, Dijak, Josh Briggs, and Lee in two triple-threat matches.
He may be taking Wes Lee lightly due to the size disparity but he'll quickly realize his error once Lee lands a few moves at NXT Heatwave.
The only way Femi loses the North American Championship will be due to outside interference or a quick roll-up. It would probably then lead to Oba going for the NXT title. If Lee can't beat Femi, he won't get another title shot.
Prediction - Oba Femi defeats a hard-charging Wes Lee.
#2. Roxanne Perez defends the NXT Women's Title against Lola Vice
Vice has beaten long-time WWE veterans Natalya and Shayna Baszler. Four years ago, that would have been impressive. Due to how each star is usually booked, however, beating either of those is par for the course.
The Prodigy is still in the early stages of her second title reign and shouldn't be losing so soon. Perez is still one of the more complete stars of the women's division that is still finding its way.
She needs to be champion until Giulia or another complete star can run with the ball. Many current stars need more seasoning, mic skills, or both.
Lola can dance and win the title later in 2024 or next year. The face-to-face segment also showed that Lola needs a lot of work with promos.
Prediction - Roxanne Perez beats Lola Vice at NXT Heatwave.
#1. Trick Williams defends the NXT Title in a Fatal Four-Way
Trick Williams faces his toughest test to date as NXT Champion. He'll defend his title against Je'Von Evans, Shawn Spears, and Ethan Page at NXT Heatwave. Page has already faced Trick, falling to the champ at Battleground.
Spears pinned Williams two weeks ago while Evans literally debuted a few months ago. If there's a time for a title switch, it's now, especially since Trick doesn't need to be pinned to lose his belt.
If he loses, he'd get a one-on-one rematch for the belt at the next special event. To keep the picture interesting, fans may see a big title change at NXT Heatwave.
Williams can then go back to chasing for a bit before regaining the title at The Great American Bash or another big TV event.
Prediction - Ethan Page wins the title but doesn't pin Trick Williams.