03/29/19

By Michael Klink and Matt Klink

@michael_klink @klinkmatt

The river’s been navigated, the mountain ascended, the end of the NXT year is upon us: Takeover New York is mere days away, and the Brothers of Discussion are here to prime you for every match on the card.  Without further adieu, here come our predictions for who should win, who will win, and the moments that will make the matchups stand out in the history of NXT.

NXT Takeover: New York Preview - Velveteen Dream vs Matt Riddle

Mike’s Take: Dream Over

Who Will Win: Matt Riddle

Who Should Win: Matt Riddle

What to watch for:  Submission vs Seduction

Matt Riddle comes into this match looking to establish himself against a credible foe.  He’s Bro-missioned himself through NXT’s stepping stone talents and gets a ‘Mania weekend match with a shot at real gold.

Dream saunters into Takeover with the first (of likely very many) championships.  The Dream’s penchant for mind games continued as he seemingly levitated into Riddle’s presence while sprawled on a purple couch. When you combine that precedent with the Dream’s reputation for airbrushing colorful messages onto his ring gear (Hi Vince!), it’s this man’s entrance I’m most looking forward to seeing this weekend.  

With Dream and Riddle on the card, we know we’re going to get our fair share of peacocking and submission artistry (respectively) but the pleasant surprise for wrestling fans will be when we get to see Dream bust out his own serpentine submissions while Riddle “bro’s” us with his natural charisma.  

Because title belts are symbolic props to help elevate performers and stand in as value, Riddle will likely extend his NXT winning streak and come out on top.  The dream doesn’t need gold to create a rooting interest, the guy could sell ketchup popsicles to a Lacey Evans in white gloves (ya nasties).

Matt’s Take: A Shared Name for Riddle means nothing

Who Will Win: Velveteen Dream

Who Should Win: Velveteen Dream

NXT works when it makes you wait. But what, of the potential possibilities, is most important for us to wait for?

If we knew the answer to these questions, I feel like we’d be able to define it better:

• Is Riddle charismatic enough to hold this title for a while?

• Is Velveteen Dream coming up after WrestleMania?

• Does the WWE want Velveteen to hold the NXT Title before his ascension?

Knowing these questions could help us better understand what it is we, as the NXT Universe, actually want.

I want to see Dream succeed on the main roster, but I also think he deserves, at the very least, a short stint with the NXT Title.

And Riddle...I don’t know if I really want to see him hold the North American Title. I think he’ll appreciate it and his character will say the right things, but I just can’t stand his delivery.

Maybe I am turning into an old man, but his nonchalant attitude has made me grind my teeth to the gums. I’m probably in the minority here, but I’d much rather see a Dijakovic grab that title, maybe some time this summer.

The Rest of NXT TakeOver New York:

NXT Championship 2-out-of-3 Falls Match
Johnny Gargano vs. Adam Cole

NXT Women’s Championship Fatal 4-Way Match
Shayna Baszler (c) vs. Kairi Sane vs. Io Shirai vs. Bianca Belair

WWE United Kingdom Championship Match
Pete Dunne (c) vs. WALTER

NXT Tag Team Championship Match
The War Raiders (c) vs. Aleister Black & Ricochet

NXT North American Championship Match
Velveteen Dream (c) vs. Matt Riddle

Full Brothers of Discussion Coverage for WrestleMania Weekend continues with Episode 73 of the Podcast! And Don’t forget to check out the BOD, WrestleMania 35 Drinking Game!

Friday, April 5, at 7 ET/4 PT. Coverage begins with the Pre-Show at 6 ET/3 PT, streaming on WWE Network, WWE.com, the WWE App, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

Enjoy the article? Every weekend the Brothers of Discussion offer more thoughts and opinions through the podcast! Listen, Subscribe and Review the Podcast on SoundCloud and iTunes!