6 HUGE NXT TakeOver: New York Predictions You Need To Know

1. Johnny Gargano Vs. Adam Cole (NXT Title - 2 Out Of 3 Falls)

Adam Cole NXT TakeOver New York
WWE.com

The favourite he may be, but New York shouldn't be the city in which Johnny Gargano becomes NXT Champion. His moment was lost when Tommaso Ciampa was rendered unable to compete.

Vanquishing his former tag team partner to finally win the territory's top prize should have been a moment to rival even Bayley's famous victory over Sasha Banks in Brooklyn, and Gargano pinning or submitting a guy like Adam Cole wouldn't have the same resonance. It won't hit as hard. Perhaps it's harsh on Johnny, but with Ciampa out and the main roster still calling, he isn't the right guy to take that shiny gold strap at the moment.

And that's why he'll lose at TakeOver.

Cole literally held the belt at TakeOver: Brooklyn III, when he, Bobby Fish, and Kyle O'Reilly battered new champion Drew McIntyre on Adam's first night in the company. He is a world-class worker, and more than capable of leading this brand for the next few months, with his coronation opening opportunities for all kinds of fresh, exciting match-ups at the top of NXT's card. That, more than anything else, is what this stagnating main event scene needs.

Winner: Adam Cole

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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.