It’s almost time for WWE NXT Heatwave!
NXT’s latest Premium Live Event comes to Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena in Canada Sunday, July 7 The brand previously traveled to the Great North for its NXT TakeOver: Toronto PLE back in2019, so there’s a little bit of trivia for you.
Six matches have been officially confirmed as of this writing, including one for the pre-show, which will see hometown ladies Ariana Grace and Karmen Petrovic team up against Jacy Jane and Jazmyn Nyx.
NXT Heatwave main show begins at 8pm ET. Catch all the action exclusively on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network elsewhere. That said, let’s dive into our preview and predictions for NXT’s upcoming PLE.
Nathan Frazer & Axiom (c) vs. Andre Chase & Duke Hudson – NXT Tag Team Championship
Backdrop: Frazer and Axiom beat The Wolfdogs (Breakker and Corbin) for the tag team titles on 4/9 WWE NXT. The pair have had some stellar defenses against the likes of AOP, OC and The D’Angelo Family. Andre Chase and Duke Hudson would win a tag team turmoil match to earn a right to challenge for the tag team titles this Sunday at Heatwave.
Prediction: Frazer and Axiom are arguably the most exciting teams on the WWE roster. They’ve been involved in some terrific matches week in and out. That said, NXT has teased a split in the build-up to Heatwave. I, for one, would like for the pair to have a lengthy run with the title. That is why they get my vote as the winners against Chase U on Sunday.
Kelani Jordan (c) vs. Sol Ruca – Women’s North American title match at NXT Heatwave
Backdrop: Kelani Jordan became the first-ever NXT Women’s North American Champion at NXT Battleground. She’d successfully defend her title against Michin (aka Mia Yim) on 6/18 WWE NXT. Her challenger, Sol Ruca, earned a shot at the title by beating Arianna Grace the following Tuesday.
Prediction: This match against Sol may be Kelani’s chance of solidifying her title run. Sol is a fan favorite, but something tells me Shawn Michaels is about to pull the trigger on her heel turn at NXT Heatwave. As far as the winner goes, Kelani isn’t dropping her title in her first PLE defense.
Oba Femi (c) vs. Wes Lee – NXT North American Championship
Backdrop: Wes Lee failed to reclaim the title from Oba in their incredible triple threat at NXT Battleground. The Kardiac Kid will now get his final shot at the title. Lee became the number one contender after besting Joe Coffey on 6/25 NXT. Heatwave marks Oba’s first singles defense of the North American Championship since NXT Spring Breakin’ Week 2.
Prediction: Oba Femi beats Wes Lee to become the greatest NXT North American Champion this Sunday. There’s no other way this potential MOTY contender should go down, especially after all the teases Zachary Wentz has been dropping on Twitter as of late. Who wants to see The Rascalz versus Gallus in another NXT-TNA crossover?
Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Lola Vice – NXT Women’s Championship
Backdrop: Lola Vice stepped up to Roxanne Perez following Miss Vice’s win over Shayna Baszler in an NXT Underground match at Battleground. Both women would emerge victorious in a triple threat tag team match on 6/18 WWE NXT, after which Roxanne delivered a botched back fist to Vice. The former Bellator star would retaliate on the following NXT to set up their women’s title match at NXT Heatwave.
Prediction: The buildup to this match was… something. From Roxanne botching the back fist to Lola Vice revealing her emotional backstory, the feud has been a mixture of hits and misses. Roxanne has achieved almost everything on NXT. It’s time she got called to the main roster. Dropping the title to Lola won’t hurt her in the slightest. That said, WWE needs to have creative plans ready for her on the bloated main roster.
Fatal four-way at NXT Heatwave
Backdrop: Je’Von Evans, Ethan Page and Shawn Spears all have staked claim to Trick Williams’ NXT title. Evans won a battle royal to earn the title shot. Page beat Evans to proclaim himself as the challenger the same night. Spears beat the champion last week on NXT causing General Manager Ava to book a fatal four-way match for the title at Heatwave.
Prediction: A tough test for the champion who doesn’t have to be factored into pinfall or submission to lose his title. That said, Trick is still one of the hottest stars in NXT and him dropping the title in a fatal four-way isn’t the outcome I’m anticipating. Plus, I think this match leads to a one-on-one contest between Trick and Evans for the NXT Championship somewhere down the line.
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