NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day takes place Sunday night from the Capital Wrestling Center in Orlando. The event should – as is the case with all TakeOver cards – be filled with lots of high-octane action and some memorable matches with three title matches and the finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournaments for men and women.
In the main event, NXT champion Finn Balor will defend his belt against former NXT UK champion Pete Dunne in a match with the potential to be among the best of the year. The NXT Women’s Championship will also be on the agenda, with champion Io Shirai taking on Toni Storm and Mercedes Martinez.
Watch NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day
Date: Sunday 14 February
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center – Orlando, Florida
Start Time: 19:00 ET (kick-off show starts at 18:30)
Watch live: WWE Network
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NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day Map, Forecasts
NXT Championship – Finn Balor (c) against Pete Dunne: Dunne, with Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch by his side, demanded a title contest, including the execution of several attacks that forced Balor into an alliance with the undisputed era. These different ties leave behind many outside factors that can play out during the championship battle. It feels like a matter of time until Dunne has his time as NXT champion, especially with Triple H as one of his biggest fans. However, it is difficult to see Sunday night serving as the crowning moment. Select: Finn Ballor to retain the title
NXT Women’s Championship – Io Shirai (c) against Toni Storm and Mercedes Martinez: Shirai was a major champion in the series, but her title reign lacked solid storylines. Storm and Martinez both watched the championship and led to them putting together a team for the Dusty Classic over their band to hunt down Shirai and the belt. It would get a setback when Shirai interfered in the first round match, which would have cost them their place in the tournament and increased the challenge of the challengers even more. They still share the same goal, but now as opponents in the upcoming triple threat match. Martinez and Storm feel like future champions, although it does not feel like one of the two is yet ready to be elevated, resulting in the champion retaining in a fantastic match. Select: Io Shirai to retain the title
NXT North American Championship – Johnny Gargano (c) teen Kushida: After playing with the idea that Gargano suffered a broken arm – which left him in a wheelchair because he is so powerful that he cannot do it without swinging his arms – and his title, Loop was exposed and the match is on again. Gargano emerged as a fantastic heel and the idea that he was an “eternal face” in NXT. With the addition of The Way in its corner, it looks like a little Austin Theory intervention will help Gargano hold the belt against Kushida’s fiery challenge. Select: Johnny Gargano to retain the title
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Final for Men – MSK (Wes Lee & Nash Carter) vs. Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson): MSK was introduced to the NXT audience in a very strong way with the experienced team blowing their way to the finals to face former NXT UK champions Drake and Gibson. If that’s the case, it’s like the right approach to give MSK the win to fully establish themselves as a new force in the market division, with Drake and Gibson already locked up as a skilled and dangerous team. Choose: MSK wins
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Final for Women – Dakota Kai and Raquel González vs. Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart: WWE has spent a lot of time on Moon and Blackheart, with the latter appearing especially over the past six months as someone who trusts the promotion to be an important face for events. The Moon and Blackheart duo who get a short feud with WWE women champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler also feel like an appropriate reward after completing the field in the Dusty Classic. Choose: Moon & Blackheart win