5 HUGE NXT TakeOver: XXV Predictions You Need To Know

5. Matt Riddle vs. Roderick Strong

Matt Riddle Roderick Strong
WWE.com

From an in-ring perspective, this potential opener looks like an absolute banger.

Matt Riddle and Roderick Strong are two of the hardest hitting wrestlers in the company. One was earmarked as a potential main roster star from the moment he signed, and the other is among the most underrated performers in the business. They're going to stiff the hell out of each other for 15 minutes straight. It isn't the night's most heavily promoted bout, but it will be one of the most exciting, and would be a potential 'Match of the Night' candidate on almost any other show.

This is a shot at redemption for poor old Roddy, who has been painted as something of a putz at the heart of the Undisputed Era's newfound tension. Leader Adam Cole has chosen him as a scapegoat for things going wrong. Strong and the group's de facto leader have butted heads on several occasions over the past couple of months and with Riddle involving himself in the NXT Title challenger's business lately, this is a path to atonement.

Shenanigans aside, it's hard to see Strong coming away with the victory. Expect Riddle to triumph, particularly as he's expected to challenge Cole or Johnny Gargano in the next TakeOver main event.

Winner: Matt Riddle.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.