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WHAT SHOULD GO DOWN TONIGHT: THE WORLDS COLLIDE TIP SHEET

By Dave Scherer, Mike Johnson, and Richard Trionfo on 2020-01-23 16:40:00

WWE presents the battle of NXT and NXT UK with their When Worlds Collide show on Saturday.  Here's our take on what will happen.

Imperium vs. The Undisputed Era

Dave: I really wanted to see this at War Games but I will settle for getting it now.  UE made their presence felt in Blackpool, Imperium cost Fish and O'Reilly on Wednesday night.  So what happens here?  Violence.  I wouldn't be surprised to see them start the set up Adam Cole vs. WALTER at WrestleMania.  I am not saying it WILL happen but it definitely would be a Mania worthy match.  And, it would be further integration of the NXT UK roster onto the USA show if the Titles were combined.  But for tonight?  I see the UE finding a way to get the win.

Mike: To me, the most important part of this show is giving NXT UK a rub the way NXT got the rub at Survivor Series.  So, Imperium needs to be put over here.  I'd prefer not to see Roderick Strong get beat twice in a week, so perhaps Fish or O'Reilly take the loss at the hands of WALTER.  This should be a hell of a war.

Richard:  A match I have wanted for at least six months.  This week, Imperium got in the first shot by distracting Fish and O'Reilly in the Dusty Classic.  Then we got the face off at the end of the show after Strong lost the North American Title.  This week on NXT UK, Imperium had an intense promo about Undisputed Era.  I have a feeling this is going to go very long, but if that is the case, make it an elimination match.  Imagine WALTER fighting off a four on one situation to set up him versus Cole as the brand's champions square off in the ring.  If UE wins, I see Wolfe taking the pin.  If Imperium wins, I see Fish taking the pin.  An Imperium win will also do so much to make Undisputed Era go on a rampage against the rest of the NXT roster.

WWE NXT Women's Champion Rhea Ripley vs.Toni Storm

Dave: They did a great job on Wednesday of setting up lots of challengers for Ripley's belt.  I wonder if we will see a similar bit of chaos here, with Io Shirai and Bianca Belair interfering.  No matter what, I see Ripley retaining the Title.  It's way to soon to take it off of her.

Mike:  They have a nice history here, but I don't see them changing the belt.  I suspect Storm goes down fighting and has a great showing but Rhea retains.

Richard:  I agree that it is too soon to take the title off Rhea and the big money match is Rhea vs Shayna (probably at Mania weekend Takeover).  I don't think there will be any outside interference (or maybe I am hoping there isn't), but if there is, Kay Lee Ray is in the building and she can get involved and then tell Toni that she not only doesn't want Toni to have her title, but any title because being a champion will make Toni happy.  

Finn Balor vs. Ilja Dragunov

Dave: Will they pull the trigger and let Ilja get the win?  My guess is no, but he will look really strong in the process.  They see something in him (which I understand) and this will continue his push.  

Mike: To me, this will be about showing that Dragunov is a player before Balor does something underhanded to get the win.  The story needs to be that Iija is one to watch.

Richard:  Dragunov's last Network Special match against Cesaro was a real good match and I don't expect Balor and Dragunov to disappoint.  I expect Ilja to come close, but in the end Balor is the one who needs the short term bump because of his match against Gargano at Takeover.  Dragunov's next feud is already set against Gallus, primarily Joe Coffey, after this week's show.

DIY, Johnny Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa vs. Tyler Bate and Trent Seven

Dave: This match was kind of thrown together on a lark so to me it makes sense to have the Brits get the win to set up a rematch next month in Portland.  They can take something that really had no juice behind it and turn it into something that matters.  I would love to see these four tear it up for a while.

Mike: To me, this is pretty much The Steiners vs. Sting and Luger years ago in WCW when they went, hey, this is a dream match, go enjoy.  That's how I look at this one and if they are given enough time, this will be awesome.  Who doesn't want to see Tyler Bate go toe to toe with Johnny and Ciampa.  Plus, hopefully the tag situation keeps Gargano from over-doing it after his injury issues.  Who goes over though?  If it's me, there's two things to do.  One, Balor gets involved and causes Gargano to lose to build to Portland.  Or, Ciampa gets the pin on Seven to keep Ciampa strong as he heads to Adam Cole next month.

Richard:  Most would expect #DIY to get the win in their 'reunion' match and with the recent history of 'thrown together teams' against established teams, maybe we see Gargano and Ciampa victorious.  However, there are other things on Gargano and Ciampa's minds.  Gargano has Balor in February and Ciampa wants Goldie back.  Bate and Seven are a great team and with Trent's recent matches, he needs a win more than anyone in this match.  

WWE NXT Cruiserweight Champion Angel Garza vs. Swerve Scott vs. Jordan Devlin vs. Travis Banks

Dave: Garza just won the belt but if it's me booking, I have Devlin get the win and continue the brand intergration.  Devlin has shown that he can go.  His match with Tyler Bate was off the hook.  I love the idea of having this Title go to the UK, which would mean he would come here to defend it and NXT would send talents across the pond to work him there.

Mike:  Let's face it, the Cruiserweight title is the last thing WWE cares about based on 205 Live.  If the belt went overseas, it would probably be treated with a lot more care.  I like Dave's idea of Devlin getting the belt.  Of the competitors, he's currently the one who has the strongest personality and could be a great heel to build the entire division around.  I'd go in that direction as well.

Richard:  Is it too soon to take the title off Garza?  All four men would be worthy champions and I agree that Jordan Devlin would be a good pick to win the title from Garza.  With the taping schedule, they can keep Devlin in the US and then have him go to the UK for the TV tapings and network specials.  This should be a good match and I hope it does not turn into a match where it is moves for the sake of doing moves and then we get the typical multi-man match finish where someone hits a move but is thrown out of the ring for the thrower to steal the win.

NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray vs. Mia Yim in a non-title contest has been added to this Saturday's Worlds Collide WWE Network special.  The match will air on the Kickoff show.

Dave: Ray is my favorite heel in the business.  I am glad she made it on the show.  I don't see any way, or reason, to take the Title off of her here.  It's a cold match and a shock change wouldn't make sense to me.  Ray wins.

Mike: I like Mia Yim a lot, but I don't see the point in having her beat someone who has had so much momentum in recent weeks.  Ray gets the win here after Yim gets a few moments where she has the champ on the run and looks strong.

Richard:  I want this match to go very long so it minimizes my McATime (assuming he will be on the PreShow Panel).  This should be a good match and both women are very solid in the ring.  Kay Lee Ray will get the win and I don't think this will be the only time we see her on the show on Saturday.  Whether she gets involved in the Storm/Ripley match or taunts Toni if she loses.

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