Well it’s a big WWE weekend! SummerSlam and one of the more “synonymous with greatness” Takeover locations, Brooklyn.

Oddly enough a lot of what I’ve seen is generally unenthusiastic reactions to this show, and I can’t really fault that. The build to this show doesn’t feel as big as usual, and the tweak that was made to the main event, just feels like rushing the third meeting between Ciampa and Gargano a bit too quickly. And no, I didn’t forget to give the updated standing in our picks race, I’m saving them for the SummerSlam article. Slow rolling is a fun technique.

Usually Takeovers tend to be received well, so let’s hope the show ends up being good even with some of the lowest internet buzz I’ve ever seen for a show.

EC3 vs Velveteen Dream

When two characters who are arrogant and full of themselves collide, apparently the promos look like Miami Vice or something. This is interesting given the fact both characters are Teflon since their characters won’t be hurt from a loss. The only exception I see is that Dream has a tendency to come up short in feuds lately, so you’d think they’d throw him a bone.

Mathew: Velveteen Dream
Deez: EC3
Eric: EC3
Weigell: EC3
Francesca: EC3
Mitchell: Velveteen Dream
McLeod: Velveteen Dream
Abe: Velveteen Dream
Big Rick: Velveteen Dream
Korey: EC3
Andrew: Velveteen Dream
Platt: EC3
Jimi: Velveteen Dream
Kristin: EC3
DPP: EC3
Cook: EC3
PC: EC3
Big Dave: Velveteen Dream
Harry: EC3
Greg: EC3
Patrick: EC3
Denise: Velveteen Dream

Official Chairshot Pick: EC3 13-9

NXT Tag Team Championship Match: Moustache Mountain vs Undisputed Era

A classic tale of likable babyfaces against douchey heels. Moustache Mountain were able to win the tag belts with homefield advantage last month, but then lost them a few weeks later because of Trent Seven’s knee injury. Even though they’re rejuvenated, I can’t really see them playing hot potato with the tag belts. Undisputed Era should find a way to retain, but hey, who knows.

Mathew: Undisputed Era
Deez: Undisputed Era
Eric: Undisputed Era
Weigell: Undisputed Era
Francesca: Moustache Mountain
Mitchell: Undisputed Era
McLeod: Moustache Mountain
Abe: Undisputed Era
Big Rick: Undisputed Era
Korey: Undisputed Era
Andrew: Undisputed Era
Platt: Undisputed Era
Jimi: Undisputed Era
Kristin: Moustache Mountain
DPP: Undisputed Era
Cook: Undisputed Era
PC: Undisputed Era
Big Dave: Undisputed Era
Harry: Moustache Mountain
Greg: Undisputed Era
Patrick: Undisputed Era
Denise: Undisputed Era

Official Chairshot Pick: Undisputed Era 18-4

NXT NA Championship Match: Adam Cole vs Ricochet

This is one of those matches that can go either way, but will most likely be a highlight of the show. Ricochet is a freakish athlete and one of the more well rounded wrestlers in the business currently. Cole on the other hand, knows who he is, which is important. Adam Cole isn’t bad in the ring, so that’s no slight on him, but the persona of Adam Cole is what drives his matches, not insane ring work. This one should be fun to watch.

Mathew: Adam Cole
Deez: Adam Cole
Eric: Adam Cole
Weigell: Adam Cole
Francesca: Adam Cole
Mitchell: Ricochet
McLeod: Adam Cole
Abe: Ricochet
Big: Adam Cole
Korey: Adam Cole
Andrew: Ricochet
Platt: Ricochet
Jimi: Ricochet
Kristin: Ricochet
DPP: Ricochet
Cook: Adam Cole
PC: Adam Cole
Big Dave: Ricochet
Harry: Adam Cole
Greg: Adam Cole
Patrick: Adam Cole
Denise: Ricochet

Official Chairshot Pick: Adam Cole 13-9

NXT Women’s Championship Match: Kairi Sane vs Shayna Baszler

You know, Shayna knows it and Kairi knows it…Kairi can beat Shayna. Granted our favorite Pirate Princess has had more struggles since coming to NXT than her opponent tonight, but that doesn’t change the facts. There’s arguments for both women winning, but I mean, Shayna didn’t have Cody Rhodes name drop her during the G1 Climax finals. Either way, as long as it’s an entertaining match, I can’t see fans being upset with either outcome.

Mathew: Kairi Sane
Deez: Shayna Baszler
Eric: Kairi Sane
Weigell: Shayna Baszler
Francesca: Kairi Sane
Mitchell: Kairi Sane
McLeod: Shayna Baszler
Abe: Shayna Baszler
Big Rick: Shayna Baszler
Korey: Shayna Baszler
Andrew: Kairi Sane
Platt: Shayna Baszler
Jimi: Kairi Sane
Kristin: Shayna Baszler
DPP: Kairi Sane
Cook: Kairi Sane
PC: Shayna Baszler
Big Dave: Shayna Baszler
Harry: Kairi Sane
Greg: Shayna Baszler
Patrick: Kairi Sane
Denise: Kairi Sane

Official Chairshot Pick: 11-11 DRAW

NXT Championship Last Man Standing Match: Johnny Gargano vs Tommaso Ciampa

The match that most people don’t want to see right now. Yes, injuries happen and that causes changes, but I really wish they just threw someone in here or there’s a swerve so we get a no contest. With how good both of these guys are, the fact that the IWC has reached a feud fatigue with this one, is a big statement, and not a good one. They need to create space between these two for the coming months. I don’t think either man is capable of a ‘bad’ match, but starting things on a gimmick and 3 Takeovers in a row is enough. Move on.

Mathew: Ciampa
Deez: Ciampa
Eric: Johnny Gargano
Weigell: Johnny Gargano
Francesca: Ciampa
Mitchell: Johnny Gargano
McLeod: Ciampa
Abe: Johnny Gargano
Big Rick: Ciampa
Korey: Ciampa
Andrew: Ciampa
Platt: Ciampa
Jimi: Ciampa
Kristin: Ciampa
DPP: Johnny Gargano
Cook: Ciampa
PC: Johnny Gargano
Big Dave: Ciampa
Harry: Ciampa

Official Chairshot Match: Ciampa 13-9