8 Ups And 3 Downs From NXT TakeOver: Portland

4. Ciampa Can’t Overcome Everything

Tommaso Ciampa should by all accounts have reclaimed Goldie Sunday night. He hit Adam Cole with everything in his arsenal, fought off the other three members of Undisputed Era, and looked like he might even overcome a referee bump.

But he couldn’t overcome his friend Johnny Gargano turning on him and costing him the title he coveted so much. Setting aside that outcome, let’s give credit to Cole and Gargano for putting on a match that had fans on the edge of their seats. Yes, it was a bit much with the false finishes, but good Lord it was emotionally draining – in a good way.

The in-match storyline of Ciampa’s neck was an easy one, as fans were well aware of Tommaso’s problems, and Cole’s offense was geared perfectly toward inflicting maximum damage to the neck. However, it simply wasn’t meant to be for Ciampa.

While it felt like an ideal time to leave Undisputed Era without any gold, you’ve got to believe that the quartet is running on borrowed time, and TakeOver: Tampa Bay will be their last stand. It just happens that Ciampa isn’t the guy to end Cole’s reign. But they had a hell of a match.