Booking NXT - #1 TakeOver: Cardiff

Booking NXT

TakeOver: Cardiff

Travis Banks vs Noam Dar

   Travis Banks must win here. He has not hit the heights in NXT UK like many would have thought. Noam Dar is a class heel act but he doesn't need the win here. NXT UK could do with a secondary title for guys like Banks and Dar. WALTER will have the NXT UK title for quite some time and I would venture that Ilja Dragunov will be the man to take it from him. Neither Dar nor Banks are ready to move up yet. They need something else to do!

Dave Mastiff vs Joe Coffey

   NXT UK positioned Joe Coffey as a big deal early on but there is not much to be gained here if he goes over Mastiff. Mastiff should win here and go on to battle WALTER in the future. Coffey's path is unclear. A feud with Banks could be next. 

   Expect this to be an entertaining thrill-ride. A barn-burning bruising pallet cleanser that will be a little different from the rest of the card.

Zack Gibson and James Drake vs. Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster vs. Gallus (Mark Coffey and Wolfgang)

   Gibson and Drake have been champions for quite some time now and it must be time for a change soon. However such a long title run should come to an end in a one on one confrontation within a hot feud. This match just isn't the right way to go for such a title change.

   Neither team feel particularly fitting to take the titles from the Grizzled Young Veterans however I can't really see who will.

WALTER vs Tyler Bate

   Tyler Bate should be the man to take the title from WALTER. However now is not the time for it to happen. WALTER's title reign has not taken off yet. He needs to be a dominating champion with a long reign. Bate would be perfect to take him down as we have seen from their interactions over the last few weeks, the dynamic is terrific.

   The time isn't now and that means it probably won't come for Bate. However a Gargano-esque run on NXT would work wonderfully for him. WALTER should have a dominant run then move to the main roster. He would benefit from winner here, without the help of Imperium.

Toni Storm vs Kay Lee Ray

   Toni Storm wins. It's not time to move on yet and Kay Lee Ray doesn't seem to be the person to take the title from her. Toni Storm needs to keep the title until she comes up against Piper Niven. It makes no sense not to explore that potential feud. Jazzy Gabbert is another exciting potential feud.

   Kay Lee Ray's future is less certain. She doesn't have an obvious route forward after Storm if she doesn't win here. Moving on to NXT proper may be the only smart choice. Toni Storm on the other hand has a limitless ceiling.