Before we get started, let’s get this out of the way. My expectations for NXT TakeOver: Portland were higher than Matt Riddle on 4/20. Many of the matches, in the end, were perfection, while a few were only just really good. As for that ending, I am still left scratching my head.
North American Championship Match: Keith Lee vs. Dijakovic
This is how you open a show. You knew these guys were going to put on another clinic, but man did they raise the bar in this one. Lee hits a HURRICANRANA AND A CORKSCREW plancha early? Are you KIDDING ME? Dijakovic impresses as well with an over the top springboard plancha onto a seated Lee outside the ring. Are we watching cruiserweight action here? My mind is already unable to comprehend the things my eyes are seeing play out in front of me. Dijakovic also displays his strength by hitting an AA type (Death Valley Driver) off the top rope. It’s not enough to put the North American Champion away. Lee powerbombs his opponent once, but Dijokovic gets right back up! Lee hits another powerbomb but only gets a two count. Both men go to the top rope for what has to be the BIGGEST Spanish fly you will EVER see. What is happening in front of my eyes? Lee is able to finally hit the Big Bang Catastrophe to retain his title.
HUGE show of respect after the match with both men embracing. Lee lifts Dijakovic to the top turnbuckle and leaves the ring. A true class act and an absolutely one of a kind match. Perfection.
Note: Dijakovic’s entrance gear from NXT TakeOver: Portland was a tribute to Kobe and Gigi Bryant and can be bid on to raise money for the families of those who were lost during those tragic events.
Tegan Nox vs. Dakota Kai (Street Fight)
Before the match even starts Kai jumps Nox during her entrance. The competitors get into the ring and the match officially starts. Lots of crazy and impactful spots during this one including garbage cans, duct tape, tables, steel steps, and more. Nox hit a pretty rad reverse cannonball onto Kai on the steps and even hit a Molly Go Round a la Molly Holly. At one point this match was off the chain with some chain strikes to Kai’s injured leg. Knox was able to hit a shiniest wizard as well. But out of nowhere, Reina Gonzalez comes in to the apparent aid of Kai and throws Knox off the top rope and into a table. Kai takes advantage and makes the cover for the W.
Reina is now being referred to as RAQUEL Gonzalez which is a bit confusing since I’ve been a fan for a while. That being said, I absolutely LOVE this move. The apparent “muscle” for Kai makes A LOT of sense as I’ve been somewhat confused by the heel move for her. Glad they are using Gonzalez in a big way and excited to see where this goes.
Johnny Gargano vs. Finn Balor
It’s no secret that I consider Gargano one of the best wrestlers and storytellers in the biz. Needless to say my expectations were unbelievably high for the man I call Johnny Match of the Year. I thought this one was going to be an instant classic, however it was just good. My big issue was the typical slow build for the match that just went on way too long. When things finally picked up with some slingshot spears, missed 1916 attempts, and Pele kicks I felt like way too much time had gone by.
We knew Finn wasn’t going to tap to the Gargano escape but Johnny Wrestling was able to hit his patented slingshot DDT (referred to by Mauro as the Thunderstruck DDT I believe) for the near fall. Balor however gets the edge after hitting a gord buster on Johnny onto the announce table. (And basically onto a monitor on his belly. Well, abs.) Then Finn hits his signature running corner kick from table to table in a very innovative spot. Again there were more signature move attempts here then there were abs in the ring during this match. (Twitter counted 24 abs for those playing at home) This was enough for Finn to get ALL of a massive Coupe de Grace and 1916 combo for the win along with a very cocky pin. A massive show of disrespect to the heart and soul of NXT after the match by Balor. This was a good one, but I wanted way more.
NXT TITLE MATCH: Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley (c)
After being somewhat let down by the Rhea vs. Toni Storm match back at Worlds Collide, I had high hopes for this clash at NXT TakeOver: Portland. Both competitors did not disappoint. It may have been a forgone conclusion that Rhea would win to go on to face “The Queen” Charlotte Flair at Mania, but I really would like to see Belair continued to be involved. The EST of NXT continued to wow me during this match with her agility, planchas (a la hubby Montez Ford), and a super impressive Gorilla Press. We even got to see Bianca’s parents in the crowd which give us that much more hope. I really loved this match and I love both competitors. But I did not love the ending. After some back and forth on the top turnbuckle Rhea is able to the Riptide for the win. I like the move, but I think it just needs a little more. I’ll credit my pals with this, but perhaps more of a swinging Deep 6 (spinning) type Riptide would have more of an impact.
Regardless, Charlotte makes her way into the ring very for the post match beatdown on the champ and accepts the Wrestlemania challenge. She even takes a few shots at Bianca as well, giving me hope that Bianca will be involved as well. Many thought this match would’ve ended in a no contest with Charlotte’s interference, but this works too. This is the kind of innovative stuff that gets me excited for mania season.
Side note: Bianca’s, “YOU DON”T EVEN GO HERE” line was pure genius.
NXT Tag Team Championship Match: Broserweights vs. The Undisputed Era
BRO! The Broserweights enter on their modified golf cart with brand new, “How many fish would Bobby Fish Fry if Bobby Fish could Fry Fish” shirts. Calling it now. These will sell out on WWESHOP.com. Riddle even leads the crowd in an old school sing a long with a bouncing fish on top of lyrics. There is even a picture of a fish with Bobby Fish’s head on it. Amongst the ridiculousness, the Undisputed Era jump the Broserweights on the stage.
The action spills into the ring for a match that is EXACTLY what you expect. (A REALLY good match) The Undisputed Era hit all of their tandem spots BUT the Broserweights were fairly dominant throughout. In fact, Dunne and Riddle work VERY well together. The big misdirect in this one is when Dunne is accidentally speared by Riddle. You might think the UE would take advantage but Riddle is able to handle both of them fairly easily. In fact Dunne makes his way back into the ring and the Broserweights are able to capture the gold as expected.
This was the title change we were expecting tonight, and this was the right move. Riddle definitely is overdue for some gold around his waist and Dunne is always going to be some sort of champion or contender. I think a lot of people anticipated some sort of betrayal here, but this isn’t just championship gold here. It’s pure comedy gold. Let’s enjoy this ride BRO!
NXT Championship Match: Ciampa vs. Adam Cole (BAY BAY!!)
This was a flat out great match. The story was Cole targetting Ciampa’s neck with Ushi-Goroshis, apron attacks and announce table attacks.
Ciampa got his fair share of offense in as well with a few Willow’s Bell attempts and a massive air raid off the top turnbuckle. (Reminiscent of War Games) The match was also fun as Cole mocked Ciampa’s apron taunt and Ciampa kissed some bald guy on the head in the crowd. Cole later hits a Panama Sunset off the announce table which was pretty rad. Ciampa however is able to finally hit the fairy tale ending for the near fall. Both opponents nearly got each other to tap with respective cross face submissions.
Of course the Undisputed Era gets involved and even brings the title into play at one point. Somehow Ciampa is able to overpower the whole Undisputed Era but still can’t get the job done. Our pal Kriss Nunez points out this is very similar to the last TakeOver Brooklyn ending featuring Cole vs Gargano. After the old ref bump the UE is able to hit a high/low on Ciampa but he still kicks out. Cole eventually hits a last shot, but Ciampa kicks out! Ciampa is about to rally and sees Goldie in the ring. Out of nowhere, his DIY partner Johnny Gargano grabs the belt and hits Ciampa in the head with the belt. Cole takes advantage and makes the pin to retain his title!
Final Thoughts on NXT TakeOver: Portland: I’ll say I’m confused by this and apparently so is the Twitter-verse. “JOHNNY HOW DARE YOU!” was something our good friend from the Queen’s Court Podcast, The Queen of NE. In fact as I typed this review, our very own Editor-in-Chief, Bill Bodkin messaged me saying “Are they really re-running Gargano and Ciampa?” My thoughts exactly.
I absolutely loved that feud. We all did. Of course Ciampa got injured before last year’s big Mania weekend, but I personally think that the whole feud was done nearly flawlessly. I don’t think we need to revisit it. (Of course, this match will be fantastic anyway) We don’t have any explanation yet as to why Gargano has apparently (again) turned on Ciampa, but I don’t see any sort of heel role working for Gargano at the moment. He is the (rebel) heart and soul of the brand. At this point we might just be getting a little too cute with this and I am a bit nervous. It feels a bit forced. I was really hoping for Cole v. Ciampa v. Gargano Mania weekend, so consider me intrigued to say the least. In any case, Wednesday can’t come soon enough.
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