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WWE NXT will present Battleground this Sunday 6/9 on Peacock and the WWE Network from Las Vegas, Nevada. Here is our take on what will happen on Saturday.
Roxanne Perez versus Jordynne Grace for the NXT Women's Championship
Mike: This entire scenario is based around the unthinkable - WWE promoting another promotion's champion and presenting them on par with WWE's own talent. So, let's go all the way with this - Perez losing the title to Grace and then regaining it at a TNA show down the line - AND also winning the Knockouts title. This should be a really damn good match.
Richard: I would put this match on last since there is the best story if we get a new champion. While the idea of having NXT going outside of the self described 'best women's division in pro wrestling' makes no sense, I think Jordynne Grace is a better option than most of the women on the current NXT roster, especially when you have six options taken away from the Ladder match. Both companies have done a good job to publicize this match on their television. I have not been a fan of the Roxanne Perez character with the entitled brat attitude that I disliked when Tiffany Stratton was doing it before her turn into one of the best characters in WWE. To shock the non-AEW wrestling world, I would have Jordynne win the title. Since TNA has a PPV on Friday and Jordynne has an open challenge for her Knockouts Title, do you start the hypothesis that Perez shows up to take the TNA title, or does the Tatum Paxley segment with Jordynne have an end result in Chicago? What about her 'non relative namesake' Arianna Grace show up. The TNA schedule does not prevent Jordynne from appearing in Orlando on Tuesdays or in Toronto for their next PPV. Put the belt on Jordynne.
Trick Williams versus Ethan Page for the NXT Men's Championship
Mike: In most cases, I would say the heel should get the victory here, but this should be the exception to the rule. Williams is too early in his title run to lose and Page can't just walk in and win the title, especially if they are going to go in that direction with Jordynne Grace. That said, this should be all about Page showing what a great heel he is and after the bout, he should be laying Williams out.
Richard: I have ranted about how we got this match and on five days build when it made no sense to do it because Trick didn't want Page to 'jump the line' after what he did and Ava was refusing to sign a contract that she presented Ethan (and he signed) that would let him jump the line to get a title match. Unless this leads to a rematch in Toronto in July, I don't get why this match is happening. Did this show need the addition of this match on the week of the show? I think the best finish for this match is a non-finish where they have to settle this next month in Toronto. Give us a reason to care about this match and they haven't done it yet.
Lola Vice versus Shayna Baszler in NXT Underground
Mike: As I have noted before, there are people in WWE who see huge potential in Vice. I can see WWE having her win, but the better idea may be to have her fighting the good fight and going down swinging to get the respect of the audience. She shouldn't go over, because the other way will help Vice get over.
Richard: I hope they can do this match inside the actual octagon instead of the 'traditional' Underground no ropes set up. You have the facility and if it can be facilitated, please do it. I like how they set up this match with Shayna seeing Lola not showing the respect that she expected from her and that she didn't like Lola's showboating. I think Lola needs this more than Shayna because if Lola can beat the best female MMA to pro wrestling crossover talent, it does a lot for her. If they get enough time, this could potentially steal the show.
Oba Femi versus Wes Lee versus Joe Coffey for the NXT Men's North American Championship
Mike: I don't see a title change here. My gut is Femi retains and pins Coffey after Lee has him beat, but Oba takes Wes out and picks the bones.
Richard: When Joe pointed out that this is a Triple Threat Match so anything goes, my first thought was if WWE and TNA are going to do more with the crossover, this is the match to do it. Wes Lee was part of The Rascalz in TNA and on the independents so if Mark and Wolfgang are going to help Joe, why can't Zachary and Trey show up to help Wes and then set up a six man tag match on the TNA PPV next Friday? I think those two groups will neutralize each other and Oba Femi will retain the title. I don't think Joe and his Big Bully Busick mustache needs to win and if Wes is going to win the North American title, let him chase it instead of getting it back in his first title match on his return.
Lash Legend versus Jaida Parker versus Sol Ruca versus Michin versus Fallon Henley versus Kelani Jordan in a Ladder Match for the NXT Women's North American Championship
Mike: There is going to be a lot of talented women doing everything they can here to make this a memorable match and doing big spots. Legend or Jordan are my favorites here...and my gut says Jordan.
Richard: There is an interesting mix of talent in this match and the experience level of some of the participants is something to consider. Other than Michin, only two people have more than 100 career matches (Fallon and Lash). Michin's existence in this match is what will keep things coherent. Her experience will be the factor that determines the success of this match. With that said, I think her and Fallon are the ones who will not win this match. I see Kelani Jordan as the longshot to win, but I would not be surprised if it happens. I think Jaida is too inexperienced to win at this time, but six months down the road, she might be the champion. If I had to flip a coin, I would say that Sol Ruca falls short and I see her doing the 'Jeff Hardy Memorial WHY move of the match' with a Sol Snatcher off the ladder that keeps her from winning. That means that Lash Legend is your first NXT Women's North American Champion and she can go back to her on screen romance with Trick.
Nathan Frazer and Axiom versus The Good Brothers for the NXT Tag Team Championship
Mike: I don't see the title change here.
Richard: As punishment for their attack on the champions, Luke and Karl had their tv match canceled but they still have their match on the pay per view. Why not make this a non-title match to punish them? I like Frazer and Axiom as a team, but I think their run ends on Sunday night. If you look at the other tag teams in NXT, they are mostly bigger teams and the optics are better with Karl and Luke. This also keeps them from AJ and his run on the main roster.
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