adminWorlds Collide 2020 NXT vs NXT UK
Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
Just one day removed from the Royal Rumble, the WWE Universe is in for an added treat, as NXT and NXT UK Superstars go head to head to prove who is the more dominant brand. A sterling card should provide an exhilarating night of action.
Previously the Worlds Collide events have been tournament style matches, taking place over Wrestlemania and Royal Rumble weekends and only available via Youtube or those attending WWE’s Axxess events. Taking on a completely different life in 2020, the event has put together a collection of outstanding matches that all wrestling fans should be excited for.
Matches have slowly been announced with little fanfare or build in most cases but the last couple of weeks have ramped up the expectation that something special could happen ahead of the main roster’s second biggest event of the year.
The main event of the night will see the two most dominant factions in WWE go head to head as Undisputed Era take on Imperium. After Adam Cole and the rest of UE attacked Walter and his European compatriots in their own back yard at NXT Takeover: Blackpool II, Imperium have been looking for a measure of retribution. Costing Roderick Strong his North American title to Keith Lee this past week on NXT was a start, but both sides will be looking to prove their dominance when the bell rings on Saturday night.
Rhea Ripley and Toni Storm look set to continue the rivalry started on NXT UK, as the two Aussies clash for Ripley’s NXT Championship. The pair have found themselves bound together, as Ripley beat out Storm to become the first ever NXT UK Women’s Champion in the brand’s formulative weeks. It was to be Toni’s time at the first NXT UK Takeover in Blackpool however, so the chance to settle the score once and for all on the biggest stage yet, should be a huge incentive for both women.
The two matches that have the WWE Universe salivating are DIY vs Moustache Mountain and Finn Balor vs Ilja Dragunov. The former sees the reunion of Tomassa Ciampa and Johnny Gargano following the former’s return from injury. The pair never fully closed the book on their infamous feud from 2018. With Gargano embroiled in a new rivalry with Finn Balor, this match should play as a straight up exhibition match, but has the makings of a match of the year. Tyler Bate’s talent has shone through on every opportunity he has featured in.
Balor vs Dragunov will be a fast, furious and frenetic affair. When we spoke to Triple H back at NXT UK: Takeover Cardiff, he was full of praise for the energetic and talented Dragunov. His unorthodox style, combined with youthful exuberance should prove more than a handful against Balor’s experience. Balor hasn’t missed a beat and the return to his Prince Devitt persona has breathed new life into his WWE/NXT career. Expect fireworks.
A fatal four way for the Cruiserweight championship, stacked with talent ensures every match on the card could be a Match Of The Year contender, as the charismatic Garza will have his work cut out for him to emerge victorious over Devlin, Banks and Scott.
No matter what the results are, the NXT family will undoubtedly be looking to steal the entire Royal Rumble weekend. Their supposed, adopted motto of Follow That Mother Fuckers couldn’t be more apt, even at the expense of the wider WWE roster.
Full Match Card and Rushonrock.com Predictions:
Eight-Man Tag Team Match
The Undisputed ERA (NXT Champion Adam Cole, NXT Tag Team Champions Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish and Roderick Strong) vs. Imperium (NXT UK Champion WALTER, Alexander Wolfe, Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel)
Reese: Undisputed Era
John: Undisputed Era
Andy: Imperium
NXT Championship Match
Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Toni Storm
Reese: Ripley
John: Ripley
Andy: Ripley
#DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) vs. Moustache Mountain (Tyler Bate & Trent Seven)
Reese: DIY
John: DIY
Andy: DIY
Ilja Dragunov vs. Finn Bálor
Reese: Balor
John: Balor
Andy: Dragunov
NXT Cruiserweight Championship Fatal 4-Way Match
Angel Garza (c) vs. Isaiah “Swerve” Scott vs. Jordan Devlin vs. Travis Banks
Reese: Garza
John: Garza
Andy: Garza
Pre-Show Match
Mia Yim vs. Kay Lee Ray
Reese: Mia Yim
John: Mia Yim
Andy: Mia Yim