This is the go-home show for NXT TakeOver: Portland and you can bet NXT will pull out all the stops. With so much excitement built up for this amazing card, let’s see how they keep the ball rolling.
VELVETEEN DREAM MAKES IT PERSONAL WITH RODERICK STRONG
Roderick Strong charged to the ring with a mic in hand, calling out the returning Velveteen Dream. He reprimanded the Dream for wearing tights with the faces of Strong’s wife and son. Strong challenged the Dream to come and face him in the ring, his challenge was answered by Bronson Reed. Reed took issue with the Undisputed Era attacking him last week, as he charged the ring to begin the first match.
.@DreamWWE isn't the only one @roderickstrong has issues with…
The #MessiahOfTheBackbreaker ALSO has to contend with #THiCCBoi @bronsonreedwwe! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/DQzZ0j6AHY
— WWE (@WWE) February 13, 2020
Reed was very competitive with Strong, keeping the former North American champion on his toes. Strong looked to have it in the bag until Dreams theme music began to play, allowing Reed to land a suicide dive. Strong was still able to secure the win with a jumping knee to Reed. Velveteen appeared on the screen addressing how the Undisputed Era tried to end his career. He then subtly threatened Strong while promising there would be someone to take care of Strong’s wife. Strong ran backstage as the segment ended.
DAKOTA KAI GAINS MOMENTUM HEADING INTO PORTLAND
Dakota Kai faced off with another former friend in Candice LeRae. Kai continued to show off her brutal strikes, bloodying the nose of LeRae early in the match. Candice was able to battle back with her aerial based offense, having Kai on the edge of defeat a few times.
GOT HER!#WWENXT @CandiceLeRae pic.twitter.com/hb6fzACwyW
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) February 13, 2020
Candice had victory in site after locking Kai in the “Gargano Escape” in the middle of the ring. Just as Kai was about to tap, she rolled LeRae up to get the win. Candice attempted to attack Kai after the match, but she was thwarted by Kai. As Kai slammed the ring bell into LeRae, Tegan Nox made the save and assaulting her former best friend. A brawl broke out at ringside until security finally gained control.
.@TeganNoxWWE_ is NOT waiting until Sunday to get her hands on @DakotaKai_WWE at #NXTTakeOver: Portland! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/6fcV2JHXFC
— WWE (@WWE) February 13, 2020
JOHNNY GARGANO BESTS CAMERON GRIMES
.@JohnnyGargano is BACK IN ACTION on #WWENXT. pic.twitter.com/9HbTW4XRAe
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) February 13, 2020
Johnny Gargano wrestled his first match in Full Sail since Finn Balor sidelined him four months ago. His first opponent was none other than Cameron Grimes. The two wrestled a very catch as catch can style early on, trading holds at a swift pace with neither gaining the advantage.
What a move by @CGrimesWWE!!#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/qC46ggqAcP
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) February 13, 2020
The match remained dead even throughout, as they literally traded control of the match throughout. Grimes had Gargano set-up for “The Cave In”, Gargano countered though somehow locking in the “Gargano Escape” for the submission.
"FINN! I HOPE YOU'RE WATCHING!"@JohnnyGargano is READY for @FinnBalor this Sunday at #NXTTakeOver: Portland! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/PNr3Q4rfJ6
— WWE (@WWE) February 13, 2020
LIO RUSH BECOMES NUMBER ONE CONTENDER FOR THE CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE
Angel Garza and Lio Rush are two men that seem incapable of having a bad match with each other. They faced off to determine the number one contender for the Cruiserweight Championship. These men continued to raise the bar, neither man gaining true dominance as they used their knowledge of each other to reverse almost everything.
Garza countered the “Midnight Hour” and looked poised to win the match-up. As he set up for the “Wing Clipper”, Rush countered into a small package to get the pin. As Rush celebrated on the ramp, Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin made his entrance. He congratulated Rush on his victory, followed by saying he didn’t like Rush’s chance at winning the belt. the two stared each other down setting the stage for their upcoming title match.
ADAM COLE PULLS OUT THE WIN AGAINST KUSHIDA
.@KUSHIDA_0904. @AdamColePro. LIVE right now on #WWENXT. pic.twitter.com/s9KZ3VKOPC
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) February 13, 2020
Kushida looked for revenge against one of the men who attacked him last week, NXT Champion Adam Cole. Kushida looked like he belonged in there with NXT’s elite, keeping up with Cole every step of the way. He peppered Cole with a plethora of kicks, targeting Cole’s arm the entire time.
That strategy almost scored Kushida the win, as he had Cole trapped in the “Hoverboard Lock” only for a roll-up to force the release. Cole capitalized on one error to nail Kushida with “The Last Shot” to escape with the win. As Cole celebrated the win, Tomasso Ciampa made his way to the ring. Ciampa and Cole stared each other down to close this episode of NXT.
"At #NXTTakeOver: Portland, I TAKE MY LIFE BACK!" – @NXTCiampa
"OVER MY DEAD BODY!" – @AdamColePro #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/M717K1q00K
— WWE (@WWE) February 13, 2020
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. WWE fan? Check out the WWE Network to fulfill all of your WWE needs!
