Yes, ME disproved your claim a long time ago. I’m reasonably confident Cruz can win all those Super Tuesday states he lost to Trump in the general. How many of these upcoming NE states Trump expects to win now will he win in the general. Cruz will probably get more delegate votes out of them in Cleveland than Trump could get EVs out of them in the general.
Trump can be very competitive in those NE States, unlike Cruz.
Cruz hasn't shown any ability to win in those States.
He will lose badly.