by Lean on Fri Jan 25, 2019 6:31 pm
If that's true and they go with the rumor of Becky and Ronda main eventing, looks like they'll put Becky over!
Prediction time!
NXT TAKEOVER: PHOENIX
Matt Riddle vs Kassius Ohno, probably via dirty finish or a botched interference from Keith Lee
Undisputed Era (c) vs War Raiders, probably via an Adam Cole distraction
Shayna Baszler (c) vs Bianca Belair; Bianca is good in-ring and this might be her career match but I don't see her taking the title off Shayna.
Ricochet (c) vs Johnny Gargano
Tomasso Ciampa (c) vs Aleister Black, with interference from Johnny Gargano
I haven't seen the past two episodes of NXT and I might binge it before Takeover, but I'm really unsure what to think of the Ricochet vs Gargano match. Sure it will be great, and Gargano in his promo said he's always wanted gold, but took a shot at Ciampa again. So that means his storyline is still intertwined with Ciampa. I can also see Johnny winning the NA title and then come out after Tomasso retains over black and celebrate, then say the schtick Ciampa told him in the Takeover where Ciampa turned on him ("this is our moment, now this is my moment), making Johnny a full-fledged face again. Then make the main event of the pre-Mania Takeover Gargano vs Ciampa title-for-title.
ROYAL RUMBLE 2019
Buddy Murphy (c) vs Kalisto vs Akira Tozawa vs Hideo Itami, shame that this is a kickoff show match.
Rusev (c) vs Shinsuke Nakamura; what happens to Shin after this is beyond me.
The Bar (c) vs Shane & Miz
Asuka (c) vs Becky Lynch; Asuka just won the title and having Becky lose this match would make her a "surprise entrant" in the Women's Rumble.
Ronda Rousey (c) vs Sasha Banks; I also predict that whoever wins the Women's Rumble would face Ronda instead of Asuka.
Daniel Bryan (c) vs AJ Styles; but then I don't think of anyone else facing Bryan for the title at WrestleMania.
Brock Lesnar (c) vs Finn Balor; come on, WWE. Give us what we want.
Women's Royal Rumble: Past Smackdown episodes seem to be glaring at a potential triple threat with Charlotte, Becky, and a women's champion but hopefully that's just a diversion because I really want WWE to capitalize on Becky Lynch's hot status now.
Men's Royal Rumble: Unless Braun is cleared, it's a toss-up between Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins for me.
So it's going to be at least 7 hours of wrestling this weekend.