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WWE presents NXT Takeover Brooklyn III from Brooklyn, NY on Saturday night. Here is our take on what to expect on the show.
NXT Championship: Bobby Roode vs. Drew McIntyre.
Dave: I don’t think that Roode’s run is over yet and in order for Drew’s coronation to really resonate, he needs to suffer some hardship before he finally wins. I could see them taking it down the road where Drew was in position to win and Roode uses one of his tricks to keep the Title. After the way TV ended this week, it could even be a situation where Roderick Strong runs in and interference backfires, setting up a three way feud.
Mike: I am going the other direction. I can see Roode losing here, but I don't think it will be to Drew. I suspect they will add Strong to the match and he's going to win the title, because if he doesn't, he looks like a real prat for not avenging his wife and child. Then, I am calling a pissed off Drew to turn heel and set up a new storyline. Roode doesn't need the title.
Richard: I would really like to see Drew win the title in this match, but we have that Bobby Roode/Roderick Strong match because of what happened on NXT this week. While the focus of NXT is not necessarily on the title feud, they have done a good job to establish Drew as a top challenger, and he was taken care of by Roode so if the reverse transitional last show before PPV theory is used, congratulations on the new champion. I think somehow Roode pulls out the victory, maybe through nefarious means. They can have Strong on commentary to have a presence and establish their next match.
NXT Women's Championship: Asuka vs Ember Moon.
Dave: I am going to call upset here. I have nothing to back that up but it just feels like this the perfect time to make the switch. Asuka has broken the record and they have played her more vulnerable of late. Plus, I wouldn’t be shocked to see her get called up to Smackdown. They could really use her there. So I will go with the upset as a gut feeling and Ember gets the win.
Mike: I don't see a title change. Ember is good but I don't see them having Asuka lose to Moon. For some reason, I see Riot and Cross down the horizon and think of the money matches when they challenge for the belt and Asuka defending against them is a much bigger deal than Moon would be at this juncture.
Richard: They have been able to make the unstoppable Asuka vulnerable in the build to this match, but I don't see Asuka losing the title. I think when they take the title off Asuka (unless she is going to beat Moolah's record) and it is someone on the current roster, it should be Nikki or Ruby. I would not be surprised to see Ember hit Eclipse early but have Asuka roll to the floor to avoid being pinned. Eventually Asuka will do just enough to win.
NXT Tag Team Championship: Authors of Pain (with Paul Ellering) versus Sanity
Dave: The build to this has been a lot of fun. Obviously, Sanity has the numbers. That doesn’t always equal a victory though. I think it’s too soon to take the Titles off of AOP so I could see this one getting totally crazy at the end and the finish basically being a step that leads to their next match, probably with a stipulation added.
Mike: I have really enjoyed this. I can see a title change here but I really think this is more likely to end up a big non-conclusive finish with the teams out of control. There's no need to have a clean finish in this one when you can build to a big Last Team Standing or something similar.
Richard: This is another time where an apparently unstoppable champion has been made vulnerable. The return of Eric Young adds an additional crazy person at ringside to neutralize Paul Ellering. The biggest question after this match is who will be the next tag team to challenge for the titles once this feud is over. I think if they are going to do a title change, this will be the title that switches hands at the end of the night. If Sanity wins the title, I want at least one match where Nikki gets to defend the titles.
Aleister Black versus Hideo Itami.
Dave: Itami’s heel turn had been really good. It has energized him and made him relevant in NXT again. With that said, there is something really, really special about Black. He has an IT factor that can’t be taught. He is obviously on the fast track, or should be. This is his first really big match in NXT and he needs to come out on top.
Mike: I am curious to see how the finish goes here. They have built some momentum and Itami has FINALLY shown signs of life after so many issues. However, they are onto something with Black and have put him over strong. Do you end that here? Do you sacrifice Itami's found momentum. If it's me, I have Itami cheat to get the win and then have an irate Black lay him out to set the stage for the next match.
Richard: This has the chance to steal the show, but I think that there is really only one result for this match and that is a Black victory. With Black on a major upswing and Itami needing something to help keep where he has gotten after coming back from injury. As Andrew points out during the Preview Audio, there will be a lot of kicks in this match. I think it will be seeing Black challenging for the title in the near future so a convincing victory would help.
Johnny Gargano versus Andrade Almas (with Zelina Vega)
Dave: On the one hand, we have a former tag wrestler starting his career as a single vs. a guy who doesn’t care if he loses because he has a hot woman to make him feel better. This should be a really, really good and hard fought match. The only way Gargano should lose is if Tommaso Ciampa gets involved and costs him the bout.
Mike: I think Gargano should get the win. This should be great on paper as Almas has really improved and Gargano is just awesome. I feel like Almas with Vega is ready for a call up already, so I'd invest in Gargano and have him get the win. Build him up so hen Ciampa heals and returns, they have the feud ready to go.
Richard: This is an interesting match up even if the match was set up because Gargano wanted a match and Almas was willing to challenge him. I hope Vega does not remove all of the Tranquilo from Almas because I feel that has added to his character. I don't see Gargano losing this match, but I want this to be a very even and competitive match to ensure that Almas does not become a forgotten member of the roster.
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