6 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE NXT (29 Jan)

Jumping around all nimbly bimbly, if you will.

by Jamie Kennedy
William Regal Adam Cole

Adam Cole's challenger for TakeOver: Portland is officially set.

Tommaso Ciampa's quest to wrestle back 'Goldie' was never in doubt. Ciampa vs. Cole is a mega-match in NXT circles, and it'll rock the house on 16 February in Oregon. WWE's build for that match included some smart babyface work, a satisfying bump and a slightly awkward allusion to angles over on SmackDown.

This week's show was stacked. NXT offered a grudge match between Tegan Nox and Dakota Kai, a Finn Bálor exhibition, news on a new number one contender for Keith Lee's North American Title (as well as that NXT Championship set up), some more shine for the likes of Shotzi Blackheart and the final match in 2020's Dusty Rhodes Tag-Team Classic.

Most of it was TakeOver worthy, but it wasn't all good. There are still some audio issues during backstage promos, and some wrestlers are being forced to work the most boring heel storylines around. On top of that, WWE's dedication to three-person announce booths is causing one commentator some slight problems.

Here are all the 'Ups & Downs' from NXT's latest...

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.