NXT TakeOver Philadelphia: 6 HUGE Predictions You Need To Know

3. Cole Gets By With A Little Help From His Friends

Aleister Black Adam Cole
WWE.com

It hasn't been branded as such, but this is effectively a number one contenders' match. Black and Cole are NXT's strongest pushed wrestlers outside the immediate title scene. Each was involved in last month's contendership tournament, but Aleister pinned 'The Panama City Playboy' in the first round, leading to Cole's interference in the finals, which cost Black the opportunity. That's how this Extreme Rules bout was set up, and it should be a lot of fun.

The rules play to Cole's strengths. He may not look it, but he's a surprisingly effective hardcore brawler, and was the star of November's WarGames revival. Black, meanwhile, is one of the hardest hitting wrestlers in the company. He always delivers in NXT, and after two great TakeOver bouts with Hideo Itami and The Velveteen Dream, there's no reason to believe he won't do so again.

The stipulation is ideal, as it'll allow WWE to keep the loser protected. For Cole, this means he can call on Fish and O'Reilly without getting disqualified, which seems the most probable outcome. The former Ring Of Honor Champion was earmarked for a big push from day one, and while Black has been with the company for longer, he may skip the NXT Title scene completely, heading straight to the main roster.

Winner: Adam Cole.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. 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.