Photo Credit: WWE.com
NXT 2.0’s “Great American Bash” event comes to us Live this Tuesday, July 5th, 2022, from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando at 8 pm on USA Network. Here are who the experts on the Eastern Observer’s “Essential Wrestling Podcast,” sponsored by ProWrestlingPickem.com, are picking for this event.
NXT Championship
Champion BRON BREAKKER vs CAMERON GRIMES
“This whole angle feels like preparation for the main roster for Grimes. He’s shown a lot of range since debuting a few years ago, and I think this is his last stop before making the jump. Breakker wins clean, complete with a cheesy respectful handshake after it’s over.” – John Smith, EWP senior NXT correspondent.
Pick: BRON BREAKKER
“Grimes hinted on Tuesday that Bron’s path will eventually lead him to the Main Roster after losing the NXT Title. And I’m sure that no one is going to argue that. I don’t see it now. I don’t think Bron is ready, and we’re in danger of a Karrion Kross/EC3 situation if Breakker gets called up now. But man, would I love to see Cameron Grimes as NXT Champ!” – Al Karl, EWP host.
Pick: BRON BREAKKER
“I’m sure I’m walking into a trap here, but it feels like when Lashley dropped the US title to Riddle so he could go after the WWE title. I’m sure the main roster could use the bump from adding Breakker. What more does he have to accomplish in 2.0?” – John D’Aconti, EWP correspondent
Pick: CAMERON GRIMES
“I love Cameron Grimes. I want him to do well, but Bron Breakker will be the man on NXT until he’s called up. Breakker gets the win.” – Ryan Joy, MinutesToBellTime.com, EWP correspondent.
Pick: BRON BREAKKER
NXT North American Championship
Champion CARMELO HAYES vs. GRAYSON WALLER
The A Champ remains the North American Champion. His run was already interrupted once, so I don’t see that happening again.” – Ryan Joy, MinutesToBellTime.com, EWP correspondent.
Pick: CARMELO HAYES
“I’ve got Carmelo retaining here, although I could see them wanting to watch what he can do without being in the NA Title picture. While I love some heel-on-heel action, this match doesn’t do it for me. Possibly because both these guys’ finishers are garbage, hopefully, they change my mind come Tuesday night.” – John Smith, EWP senior NXT correspondent.
Pick: CARMELO HAYES
“This would be one of the greatest coo’s in WWE history if Waller pulls this off! Tricking Melo into signing a Championship Match contract, then winning?! This is some Next Level heel work! To win it, Waller needs about three or four tricks up his sleeve during the match. I think Melo is too good to get played again.” – Al Karl, EWP host.
Pick: CARMELO HAYES
NXT Tag Team Championship
Champions THE CREED BROTHERS vs. RODERICK STRONG & DAMON KEMP
“I think this ends Diamond Mine (as we know it) once and for all. I’m not sure who to pick here, so I’m going to go with the champs retaining. Ivy Nile could be a wildcard here; which team would she align with?” – John Smith, EWP senior correspondent.
Pick: THE CREED BROTHERS
“Ivy Nile is somewhat stuck in the middle of this. I feel like Strong will instruct her to do something underhanded to help him win, and when she doesn’t, the Creeds will capitalize for the win. And I’m not sure Damon Kemp is sold on what Roddy has been pulling lately, either. It’ll be interesting to see what he’s going to do during this match.” – Al Karl, EWP host.
Pick: THE CREED BROTHERS
“Damon Kemp has the advantage of being the brother of Gable Steveson. I’m over here asking myself if that’s enough of an advantage to outweigh Roddy’s best days in NXT are behind him? The Creeds are also on the rise. I’m thinking Creeds get the win here, but let’s all keep our eyes on Kemp.” – Ryan Joy, MinutesToBellTime.com
Pick: THE CREED BROTHERS
NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship
Champions TOXIC ATTRACTION vs. ROXANNE PEREZ & CORA JADE
“Jacy and Gigi win, obviously with help from Mandy. It’d be fun to see the challengers beat them down after the match, cash in Perez’s contract, and take the titles that way.” – John Smith, EWP senior NXT correspondent.
Pick: TOXIC ATTRACTION
“It feels like the time to put some gold on Roxy & Cora. The only thing scaring me about it happening here is that Roxy didn’t have to use the contract to get this match, which would have made more sense. But I’ve bet against Gigi & Jacy in every match since they won the tag titles, so why learn my lesson now?” – John D’Aconti, EWP correspondent.
Pick: ROXANNE PEREZ & CORA JADE
“If Roxanne doesn’t have to use the Breakout Contract, does that mean if she and Cora fall short, is Roxanne going to use it for the Tag Titles again? If they win, Roxanne will challenge Mandy to become a “Champ Champ?” There’s more logical reasoning with that Contract if Roxanne & Cora lose than if they win. I’m hoping that earning this match without using her contract will satisfy her wanting to be Tag Champions with Cora for the time being so that Cora won’t pull a heel swerve by manipulating Roxanne and their friendship to use the contract for Cora’s gain. When Mandy interferes and costs Roxanne & Cora the match, that will make the transition so much easier for Roxanne to use the contract to challenge Mandy for redemption, hopefully at the next NXT Premium Live Event.” – Al Karl, EWP host.
Pick: TOXIC ATTRACTION
WES LEE vs. TRICK WILLIAMS
“It’s nice to see Trick getting in-ring work since Melo doesn’t need a mouthpiece/hype man…but I see no reason to give him a win here since Lee has a redemption storyline going on.” – John D’AConti, EWP correspondent
Pick: WES LEE
“Busy night for Trick and Melo. I think they make a clean sweep. Give me Trick Williams.” – Ryan Joy, MinutesToBellTime.com, EWP correspondent.
Pick: TRICK WILLIAMS
“Trick cheats to win.”- John Smith, EWP senior NXT correspondent.
Pick: TRICK WILLIAMS
WENDY CHOO vs. TIFFANY STRATTON
“I will give an A+ for Wendy Choo’s character and its creativeness. And an A+ to Wendy Choo for how she’s playing this character. I can’t take this character seriously. Wendy is going to be a star when she eventually does something else. I’m looking forward to that. In the meantime, this is a must-win for Tiffany Statton. I’ll go with her.” – Al Karl, EWP host.
Pick: TIFFANY STRATTON
“I saw these two jaw jack at a house show. As much as I like Wendy Choo, it feels like Stratton is the focal point. I’ll take Stratton in a short match.” – Ryan Joy, MinutesToBellTime.com, EWP correspondent.
Pick: TIFFANY STRATTON
Be sure to catch the “Essential Wrestling Podcast” on Tuesday Evenings at 5 pm on the Eastern Observer, and join the EWP public pool on ProWrestlingPickem.com to play against our team of experts!
