Who Will Win At NXT Heatwave? PLE Predictions | Question of the Day

NXT CHAMPIONSHIP FATAL 4-WAY MATCH:
Trick Williams (c) vs. Ethan Page vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Shawn Spears

It’s far too early to take the title off Trick Williams. While I can see an argument in putting it on Ethan Page so he doesn’t look like too much of a loser too quickly after joining the roster, failing twice to win the championship, I don’t think hot-shotting the belt to him is the answer. Rather, long-term booking is. Look at Shawn Spears as another example. They’ve been dropping the ball with him and it shows, as he’s not in a serious spot to win this. Also, Evans is too new. Just being in the match alone is already a boost enough.

Williams retains by pinning either Page or Spears, unless the plan is to have him pin Evans and split those two up from being buddy buddy. I don’t think that’s the best option, though. I’d just go with Spears taking the pin and I’d keep Williams in the prime focal spot going forward until someone truly worthy of being the top guy comes along.

TAG TEAM MATCH FOR THE NXT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Nathan Frazer and Axiom (c) vs. Chase University (Andre Chase and Duke Hudson)

The Supersonic Duo hasn’t been a particularly enthralling tag team for my tastes. They’re fine to watch in the ring, but when the most interesting character work they’ve done so far is this angle of Frazer being more interested in his singles career, that says a lot.

Chase University is the better option here. However, I’m not sold that’s actually going to happen. Enough stock has been put into this story of Ridge Holland helping Chase U cheat to win that I think without him being there, they’ll lose, and he’ll be able to say “I told you so.”

SINGLES MATCH FOR THE NXT WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Lola Vice

Oh brother, this feud stinks!! Roxanne Perez has been pretty awful as a heel and Lola Vice can’t cut a promo, either. They’ve been feuding with each other for MONTHS and still can’t get the right synergy, but WWE seems obsessed with pairing them up.

I was past it weeks upon weeks ago. Over time, I’ve only grown to dislike this story even more and have even less interest in it. Either put the belt on Vice and be done with it—which I think would be a mistake, as she’s not ready to shoulder that responsibility—or just have Perez retain and, equally, be done with it. Don’t revisit this anymore.

I don’t know why this has continued so long, or why WWE doesn’t want to bring in someone from TNA Wrestling to be a better opponent for Roxanne, but I think this is going to be rough.

SINGLES MATCH FOR THE NXT NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Oba Femi (c) vs. Wes Lee

If Wes Lee fails to win the title, he doesn’t get another shot at it until Oba Femi drops the championship to someone else. Femi’s been booked so strongly and is getting over so naturally that I don’t think the right call is to have Lee win here. If they wanted the belt on him, he should’ve pinned Joe Coffey at Battleground instead to protect Femi.

Lee should put up a good fight, but come up short. Femi shows him some respect. Lee moves on to go for the tag titles and/or do some guest spots in TNA, either finishing his story with Mustafa Ali for the X-Division Championship or reteaming with The Rascalz.

SINGLES MATCH FOR THE NXT WOMEN'S NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Kelani Jordan (c) vs. Sol Ruca

It’s strange how this event has heel/heel and babyface/babyface matches. Why go with Sol Ruca as the challenger when Kelani Jordan could have fought a number of other heels, like Jaida Parker?

That has me wondering if Ruca is going to turn heel, which I think would be a massive mistake. Both of these girls are inherent babyfaces and can still have quite a bit of upward momentum to tap into on that front. They’re not stale.

If not, is this booked just because they thought these two would have a good match, shake hands, and move on? That just doesn’t strike me as WWE mentality. But I’m leaning toward Kelani Jordan retaining, whether or not there is a turn after for Ruca (or even Jordan).

[COUNTDOWN TO NXT HEATWAVE PRE-SHOW]
TAG TEAM MATCH
Arianna Grace & Karmen Petrovic vs. Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx

Well, two more Canadians are on the card. That’s potentially good enough. This isn’t a story that necessarily needed to be represented here in my mind, but I’m not going to crap on people getting an opportunity on a pay-per-view. Good for these girls. They’re all talented to varying levels and working on getting better. I’ll support them.

More than likely, the heels are coming out on top, since they’re the actual team. Petrovic and Grace won’t be able to communicate as well. But I think the more fun scenario is for the babyfaces to win, so while I’m not predicting that, I’m hoping that’s the outcome.