NXT vs. NXT UK Worlds Collide preview and predictions

The night before the Royal Rumble gets a makeover with no Takeover this year. Instead, the stars of NXT and NXT UK will compete for bragging rights. Who will leave the evening as the superior brand? We break down the card.

Mia Yim vs. Kay Lee Ray (Kickoff show)

A late addition to World’s Collide will put the NXT UK Women’s champ in action. It’s a disservice to have Ray on the kickoff but she’ll be facing a fan favorite in Mia Yim. There’s history between the two dating back to War Games. Ray would assist Io Shirai in a ladder match to give team Baszler match advantage heading into Takeover. Yim never got a chance to compete in War Games and this is the perfect opportunity to exact her revenge. Yim gets even against the champ and puts NXT up early.

Prediction: Mia Yim wins 

#DIY vs. Moustache Mountain

It’s a great time for tag-team wrestling under the NXT umbrella. The return of the Dusty Rhodes Classic is reminding fans of the importance of the genre. Here we get to see two teams that epitomize tag-team wrestling under NXT. A reunion of Johnny Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa versus Tyler Bate and Trent Seven. Despite the success of DIY, Moustache Mountain has always been a cohesive team. Gargano and Ciampa may be on the same page temporarily but you can’t forget their epic feud. Both have their attention set on Takeover Portland which could work against them here. Moustache Mountain laid out the challenge and pick up the win.

Prediction: Moustache Mountain win

https://twitter.com/AngelGarzaWwe/status/1220200241967837185

NXT Cruiserweight Championship Angel Garza (c) vs. Isaiah “Swerve” Scott vs. Travis Banks vs. Jordan Devlin

The one match on the card where 205 Live is infused into the bragging war. Angel Garza gained the title just a month ago dethroning Lio Rush. In recent weeks fellow Cruiserweight Isaiah Scott has been on a winning streak and done so with style points. Travis Banks showed out in Full Sail picking up a win against Jaxson Riker and pushing Pete Dunne to the limit. Jordan Devlin could be the spoiler here after coming up short in last January’s Worlds Collide tournament. Garza is still early into his title reign and looks every bit of a star. Scott will be the money feud going forward into Takeover. Introducing NXT UK into the Cruiserweight picture is a great look to draw more eyes to the division. This match will excite but it’s hard to see Garza losing here.

Prediction: Angel Garza retains

Finn Balor vs. Ilja Dragunov

An exhibition featuring two top performers under the NXT umbrella, this matchup should be exceptional. Dragunov stepping up to the prince will be the focus of this match. Similar to when Dragunov answered Cesaro’s open challenge last year. He would fall to Cesaro then but things could be different this time around. Balor’s mean streak has been one of the best things going in NXT, and he would be undefeated and champion since returning if it weren’t for distraction. This match feels just as good a time as any to put NXT UK over in an upset moment. Ilja Dragunov gets the rub here.

Prediction: Ilja Dragunov wins 

NXT Women’s Championship Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Toni Storm

Rhea Ripley ended 2019 on an epic run, racking up victories and capturing the NXT Women’s title. Toni Storm failed to regain the NXT UK Women’s title at Blackpool but history is on her side. Storm ended the NXT UK title reign of Ripley. It wouldn’t be out of this world for lightning to strike twice here, and with the bragging rights angle, it’s possible Kay Lee Ray could give Storm an assist. However, being that this is Ripley’s first action of 2020 it seems premature to halt her momentum going into a major feud with Bianca Belair. Ripley picks up the W for her brand.

Prediction: Rhea Ripley wins

Undisputed Era vs. Imperium

A match that fans have looked forward to for quite some time. This contest could steal the entire weekend as it features the two biggest factions in the entire company. On the surface, the Undisputed Era has been a greater success. While Imperium’s leader, WALTER, seemed untouchable up until an improbable exit at Survivor Series. That alone is enough to make a case for why Imperium should win. The Undisputed Era took the first shot at NXT UK Blackpool, getting the upper hand on their Worlds Collide opponents. Imperium will win the war Saturday night. Bonus points if WWE makes this match elimination style.

Prediction: Imperium wins