‘NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable’ preview and predictions

NXT has yet to disappoint when it comes to their WWE Network exclusive special events and on paper, their upcoming card looks delightful. NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable will once again be held where the previous five events were – the University responsible for the legendary JD Harmeyer – Full Sail.

Below you will find my thoughts and predictions for Wednesday nights NXT TakeOver. Enjoy and please don’t be a stranger – agree, disagree, critique, vent, and smark it up in the comments section below.

NXT Championship Match
Kevin Owens (c) vs. Sami Zayn

Lots of moving parts here. Zayn suffered a shoulder injury on the May 4th episode of RAW when he answered John Cena’s United States Championship open challenge. This occurred after his title match with Owens was already booked. We are starting to see the flaws of booking a superstar like Zayn on the main roster and NXT simultaneously. As much as I love this storyline between Zayn and Owens, it wouldn’t have been a bad idea to let it end at the NXT level after NXT Takeover: Rival. Remember, these feuds can easily be rekindled at the WWE level, there is no need to keep Zayn in Florida – especially with the void left by Daniel Bryan that only he could even attempt to fill.

At this moment we really don’t know the status of Zayn’s shoulder so it’s tough to predict if this will be a full on main event or if Zayn will be written out with some interference. The winner of the #1 contender’s match could be a factor. Newly signed ROH legend Samoa Joe could make his debut. Or maybe the winner of Corbin versus Rhyno gets catapulted into the NXT main event picture. While all of these may be long shots – the only thing I can guarantee is that Kevin Owens remains champion. He’s doing just fine right where he is and could easily keep the title for the rest of the year to build him up to make a huge splash in 2016 before the road to WrestleMania 32 in Dallas.

NXT Women’s Championship Match
Sasha Banks (c) vs. Becky Lynch

When it comes to doing these articles sometimes it’s hard to draw the line between being a fan or a critic. Watching the evolution of someone like Sasha Banks reminds me why I love wrestling and why I’ll always be a fan first. She’s one of those performers that you love to hate and you hate to love – yet you end up embracing it and almost get tears in your eyes when she finally wins the title.

First things last – Sasha Banks is the most marketable women’s wrestler of all-time. Trust me I know, this is a a bold statement but I promise you that I’ll back up with a proper article. Make sure to continue to call me out on it. For now, I’ll just state the obvious – Banks defeats Lynch on Wednesday night. If she doesn’t it’s a travesty.

#1 Contenders Triple Threat Match
Hideo Itami vs. Finn Balor vs. Tyler Breeze

Like Zayn, Itami is said to have suffered an injury as well that was rumored to have him on the shelf for 6-8 months with a bad shoulder. Do we know any specifics about this injury? All we know is that creative will have a much easier time dealing with this since Balor and Breeze can pick up the slack if Itami is not healthy enough to compete.

When it comes to Balor you have to factor that this is a talent that is impossible to bury regardless of the outcome of any of his matches. Finn Balor is destined for great things on the main roster. I would’ve picked Itami to win because of the push he’s gotten lately if he wasn’t heading into this event with rumors swirling about a potential extended layoff. That leaves us Tyler Breeze.

“Prince Pretty” has been working in developmental for nearly half a decade now. Expect a strong showing from Breeze in a match that could be his last of the “special event” variety for NXT. I like Balor to come out the victor here but I like Breeze to come out looking stronger than ever.

NXT Tag Team Championship Match
Blake and Murphy (c) vs. Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady

I’m still not sold on Blake and Murphy. I still don’t understand why they are NXT tag team champions. The only possible reason I can think of is that they will be forever remembered as the team that put over the “Certified G” Enzo Amore and “Big Cass” himself Colin Cassady. “Bada Bing! Bada Boom! Realest guys in the room! How you doin’?”

Singles Match
Baron Corbin vs. Rhyno

When it comes to Baron Corbin we’re looking at a guy who never loses unless it’s against the upper-upper echelon on NXT. I’m talking the Zayn’s and Balor’s of the company. When it comes to the 20-year veteran Man-Beast Rhyno it’s hard to ever pick against him. He’s looked incredible during his latest stint on WWE programming and I think I speak for everyone when I say he deserves a crack at Kevin Owens.

I’d love to go out on a limb and pick the Detroit native but I can’t do it. Corbin will get the win and he will likely be put right into the main event picture with the likes of Owens and Balor over the summer.

Women’s Tag Team Match
Charlotte & Bayley vs. Emma & Dana Brooke

How about this for a nice little match to get us started. Honestly folks – this could end up being the best match on a show full of great matches. I really don’t know a whole lot about Dana Brooke yet but I do know that Charlotte, Bayley and Emma (the most under utilized women’s wrestler on the planet) bring it every single time. I gotta go with Charlotte and Bayley to get the victory here with Charlotte getting a nice send off on what should (finally) be her last match in developmental.