NXT TakeOver: Toronto: Match Card, Full Preview and Predictions

Grudge match will follow grudge match at NXT TakeOver: Toronto.

The long build between TakeOver: Brooklyn II and Saturday's live special has allowed bad blood to overflow and animosity to fester.

Shinsuke Nakamura will defend the NXT Championship against the man who tried to end his career, Samoa Joe. Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano will get a crack at The Revival, a team that has ducked, injured and ambushed the fan favorites.

One night before Survivor Series, it will be the NXT brand's time to shine.

Its weekly shows have not been nearly as intriguing as they were since Raw and SmackDown raided its roster in July's draft. TakeOver: Toronto offers an opportunity for NXT to regain momentum and thrive under the bright lights.

Saturday's show looks to be an excellent one. The Air Canada Centre will play host to three title matches, a tournament final, a homecoming for two Ontario natives and the return of a potential Hall of Famer. 

Match Card

• Bobby Roode vs. Tye Dillinger
• The Authors of Pain vs. TM61 (Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Final)
• The Revival vs. Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano (2-out-of-3 Falls, NXT Tag Team Championship)
• Asuka vs. Mickie James (NXT Women's Championship)
• Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Samoa Joe (NXT Championship)

Predictions

• Dillinger over Roode
• The Authors of Pain over TM61
• Ciampa and Gargano over The Revival
• Asuka over James
• Nakamura over Joe

Match Previews

Dillinger vs. Roode

This is the kind of matchup for which NXT was designed.

Dillinger, an emerging prospect, is set to face a longtime veteran in what could be his coming-out party. Dillinger has been in the developmental system for a long stretch, and while he has found a great vehicle for his skills with his Perfect 10 gimmick, he doesn't yet have a signature match to his name.

That could come here against former TNA world champ Roode.

The two were tag team partners briefly, but Roode abandoned Dillinger minutes into their first-round match of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The babyface is now on the prowl with revenge on his mind.

The crowd is likely to go wild for this collision. NXT headman Triple H said during a recent conference call, per Jim Varsallone of the Miami Herald, "Both guys being from Toronto, I have a feeling that place will come unglued for that match."

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Final

The second annual tournament in honor of the late Dusty Rhodes will culminate in Canada.

Last year, the superteam of Samoa Joe and Finn Balor took home the trophy. This time around, the prize will go to a less familiar duo. Both TM61 and The Authors of Pain are newcomers to NXT.

TM61 flourished in Japan before signing with the brand. Rezar and Akam of the heel squad are both products of the WWE Performance Center, having come from the UFC and amateur wrestling worlds, respectively.

The Authors of Pain have been unstoppable since their arrival. Most of their matches have felt more like feeding sessions for a pair of lions. A more daunting challenge awaits, one they will have to face without their manager.

Hall of Famer Paul Ellering will be suspended in a shark cage to make sure he doesn't impact the bout.

The Revival vs. DIY

Will the babyfaces finally be able to knock off the champs?

Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson of The Revival have used underhanded tactics, a bruising, smashmouth in-ring style and excellent chemistry to remain atop NXT's tag team division for much of the past year. And on Saturday, it's going to take winning two falls to dethrone the only two-time NXT titleholders.

Their run-ins with Ciampa and Gargano have grown increasingly personal.

The Revival has attacked DIY backstage and in a parking lot. The duo have tried to rip Gargano's knee apart. And when set to meet in the Dusty Classic, The Revival backed out.

Total Wrestling Magazine believes this clash may be in the running for Match of the Year:

That's a good bet to make. Each time these two teams have met, sparks have flown. Their meeting in Brooklyn was a thriller.

Asuka vs. James

Asuka has torn through the NXT women's division. She has knocked off everyone from Bayley to Emma since arriving to the brand last year.

To find her a fitting challenger, WWE has had to reach into the past.

The dominant champion's next opponent last wrestled for WWE in 2010. James has since been a star for TNA and worked in Mexico and on the independent scene. The five-time women's champ will now invade NXT, setting up an intriguing bout.

In an interview with WWE.com's Bobby Melok, James promised a tough battle for Asuka: "I can guarantee it will be the hardest fight she’s ever had in her life."

It's not clear whether James will stick around or if this is a one-off. What is certain, though, is that these two women will put on a hell of a show.

Nakamura vs. Joe II

The dream match didn't quite find its stride the last time out. Nakamura's win over Joe in Brooklyn was a huge moment, but the bout wasn't as compelling as some had hoped.

It's hard to imagine these two top-notch performers not tearing the house down in the rematch.

In addition to a desire to outdo the first meeting, the story has been greatly improved since Round 1. Losing the championship caused Joe to unravel. He slammed Nakamura against steel steps, leaving him in a neck brace. The Samoan Submission Machine then attacked various members of the NXT roster, demanding his title back.

The King of Strong Style has since healed and stepped up to the bully.

In front of a crowd that is sure to be electric, Nakamura and Joe will fight over NXT's top prize. This latest chapter of their rivalry promises to be special, setting the bar high for Survivor Series the following night.