With NXT TakeOver: Chicago right around the corner I decided to fire up the takes and cook up a fresh batch of predictions.

For a minute NXT reminded us that it is indeed the developmental brand for WWE, with RAW and Smackdown calling up some of the fan favorites like Tye Dillinger and Shinsuke Nakamura, NXT has been a mixed bag of excitement. Thankfully guys like Kassius Ohno & Hideo Itami were able to return to action alongside the likes of Bobby Roode, Roderick Strong & Eric Young.

With a handful of surprises on deck and goof ole JR’s return to the NXT booth TakeOver Chicago looks like a real barn burner (to quote the man himself.)

WWE UK Championship Match

Tyler Bate (c) vs. Pete Dunne

I want to preface this by saying everyone involved in the UK title picture has delivered, Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne being the top of the pack, so I’ll be excited to watch this match. Also it helps that JR will be calling this match.

However….I find myself not becoming fully invested in the UK title or the storylines surrounding it because I feel like it could just stop at any given moment. Sure they get a special here and there, a match on NXT but until they find a permeant spot on the Network I’m not sure I’ll care as much as I should.

Regardless of my own personal investment, if history is any indicator these two are going to make the most of this time and tear the house down. I’m even going to calling it the show stealer now.

Winner: Pete Dunne

Roderick Strong vs. Eric Young

Roderick Strong has had one hell of a run the last few months. From having his first kid to receiving a pretty sizable push on TV with his documentary. My guess is that this continues at TakeOver with Strong picking up the win.

I imagine we see the entire Sanity crew sans Nikki Cross get mixed up in this match, with Strong getting the best of them. Maybe even a little freak out from Young after the match followed by a crew beat down of Strong.

If I had to guess this isn’t going to be the last time Strong faces Young.

Winner: Roderick Strong

NXT Tag Team Championship Ladder Match

The Authors of Pain (c) vs. #DIY

I’ve got a few questions heading into this match…

Will Tommaso Ciampa compete?

It’s been reported that Ciampa twisted his ankle at a live event on Thursday. Triple H has come out and said that he should be able to go as it doesn’t look like a break or fracture but they are still waiting for the doctors to clear him.

If he can’t go who fills in for him? A few names that have been tossed around the internet include Scott Dawson, Kassius Ohno, debuting Adam Cole (I’m very doubtful of this), Heavy Machinery & Drew McIntrye.

If I had to guess will see Ciampa out there on Saturday, how else will he turn on Gargano?

They’ve been teasing this split for some time now, with Gargano allegedly getting a solo theme song, it seems now might very well be the time. These two have essential run their course and a summer long feud would be a nice backdrop to the title story.

Winners: Authors of Pain

NXT Women’s Championship Triple Threat Match

Asuka (c) vs. Ruby Riot vs. Nikki Cross

The triple threat match is the perfect way to tease Asuka dropping the title, but we all know it isn’t going to go down like that. Ruby Riot and Nikki Cross would make perfect sense as NXT’s Women’s Champ, if Asuka was getting the call up.

Also I’d personally hate to see her drop the belt without suffering a legit defeat. Please drop let Fulton run out with a taser.

Winner: Asuka

NXT Championship Match

Bobby Roode (c) vs. Hideo Itami

Serious question….Did they give this match to Hideo Itami just so he could hit the GTS in Chicago? Because I see zero reason to have Itami in this match. The man have been on the shelf the majority of his NXT run and even when he wasn’t he never came close to expectations. My guess is they needed someone to cover the in between before Drew McIntyre gets involved.

With that being said, he is very much capable of pulling off a great match and the string of top quality matches Roode’s been a part of should continue this Saturday.

It’s pretty clear that Roode will be walking out of Chi-town as the NXT Champion, but will McIntyre somehow get involved?

Winner Bobby Roode