NXT Takeover: Portland Preview and Predictions

I'd be remiss in saying that I am beyond ecstatic for this Takeover.

The truth is this will be only my second time watching a NXT Takeover in real time. The first was in November from Chicago and in all honesty it blew me away. When people for years have been saying that the NXT Takeovers end up being more enjoyable than the main roster Pay Per Views, I use to view it solely as cliche takes from hungry wrestling fans that do nothing more than bitch about creative, or how Vince McMahon is ruining pro wrestling as we know it.

But it's true.

NXT Takeovers, especially watching the old events via the back log on the WWE Network are truly phenomenal. This weekend should honestly be no different. What a card they have in store. 

NXT Championship : Adam Cole (C) vs. Tomasso Ciampa

Still believe it’s too soon to take the belt off of Adam Cole (Bay Bay). I can see him going one more rotation and taking the NXT title into the next Takeover during Wrestlemania weekend before dropping it. The priority here should be to keep
Ciampa strong so I can see his winning via. DQ or if he loses, it will be due to involvement by any of the other three members of the Undisputed Era.

Prediction: Tomasso Ciampa by disqualification.


NXT Women’s Title: Rhea Rhipley (C) vs. Bianca Belair

I mean there is just no way Rhea Rhipley loses the title this soon for a few reasons. First, she’s been the Women’s champ for only two months. Second, there’s the obvious build to her eventual Wrestlemania match against Charlotte Flair, which as of this blog has not been confirmed yet. But we expect it too. Bianca Belair had her breakout moment at the Royal Rumble and she has now positioned herself as the “next in line”. Especially if we believe Shayna Baszler has got her official call up to the “main roster” after last week's appearance on Monday Night Raw.

Prediction: Rhea Rhipley wins by pinfall


NXT North American Title: Keith Lee (C) vs. Dominic Dijakovic

We’ve seen this matchup so many times in 2019. Yet these two always bring their A-game. That said there’s zero chance Keith Lee, who’s right now the “it guy” in NXT loses the title a few weeks after winning it over Roderick Strong. No other scenario really other than Dijakovic taking the loss here.

Prediction: Keith Lee wins by pinfall


Finn Balor vs. Johnny Gargano

Honestly even without any belts on the line this is probably the most anticipated matchup on the entire card. I truly believe the winner of this one will likely get the next shot at the NXT Title at the next Takeover. While this feels set up for Gargano being this his his return after a few months away, Finn Balor’s return to NXT definitely will feel wasted if he doesn’t at least get one crack at the title. So I can’t see it any other way other than Finn grabbing the win here and setting up a future title shot in the weeks to come. This rivalry does has more juice in it so expect it to continue beyond this weekend.

Prediction: Finn Balor wins by pinfall


NXT Tag Title: The Broserweights vs. Undisputed Era (C)

Odd as it may look, I love the combination of Matt Riddle and Pete Dunne. So much that coming off their Dusty Rhodes Tag Team classic tournament win, I believe they will continue destroying the prophecy of the Undisputed Era and take the titles off of the Kyle O’Reilly/Bobby Fish combo. Doesn’t make a whole hell of a lot of sense but the Broserweights right now whether by accident or not are so over, might’ve as well give them a run with the tag title belts.

Prediction: The Broserweights win by pinfall


Dakota Kai vs. Tegan Nox (Street Fight)
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I will say this feud has been a tad disappointing since launching at the last Takeover in Chicago this past November. Sure these two did have a match between then and now but it doesn’t feel like NXT really put any priority in it. Especially when Dakota Kai’s betrayal of Tegan Knox was was one of the stunning moments of 2019. Tegan won the first bout last month so I expect Dakota to bounce back here setting up a future rubber match. Maybe at the next Takeover come Wrestlemania weekend? Maaaaaaaybe!?!?

Prediction: Dakota Kai wins by pinfall