10 HUGE NXT TakeOver: Portland Predictions You Need To Know

9. Finn Bálor Vs. Johnny Gargano

Randy Orton
WWE

Back in the '90s, your writer watched a very famous wrestling show.

SummerSlam 1993 was headlined by Lex Luger's failed WWE Championship punt against Yokozuna, but of equal excitement was the Intercontinental Championship clash between Shawn Michaels and Mr Perfect. It was promoted as an unflappably brilliant pro wrestling match and not a great deal else - two generals of such renowned that it was an impossibility that they could even approach something resembling a sh*t scuffle. A narrator's voice creeping in to the text probably isn't necessary here.

They didn't gel with each other, the booking didn't click with the crowd and the finish was as satisfying as the clash that had come before it. Not to set anybody up for a failure here, but lightning categorically won't strike twice.

'Johnny TakeOver' missing his first one in forever at WarGames added spice to a match combination that needed little extra flavour after Finn Bálor's callous turn last year. He wants revenge, Bálor wants self-affirmation and they're both going to wrestle to near-death. It will - it will - be brilliant.

Winner - Finn Bálor

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett