Finn Bálor Vs Johnny Gargano Confirmed For NXT TakeOver: Portland
Matches come together for TWO black-and-gold supercards on first live NXT of 2020.
Recent NXT returnee Finn Bálor will face current talisman of the brand Johnny Gargano at NXT's next TakeOver.
The two set their match up in a spirited promo battle midway through the January 8th edition of the show, with their contrasting visions of the black-and-gold brand the crux of their disdain. Bálor shocking turned heel on 'Johnny Wrestling', forcing him to miss his first TakeOver in three years whilst going on to defeat Matt Riddle in his return match on the brand.
Elsewhere on a constructive but somewhat underwhelming return to going live on the USA Network, Rhea Ripley and Toni Storm teased a Champion Vs Champion match for January 25th's Worlds Collide if Storm can unseat Kay Lee Ray at TakeOver: Blackpool this weekend.
Meanwhile, Keith Lee defeated Cameron Grimes, Damian Priest and Dominik Dijakovic to earn a shot at Roderick Strong's North American Championship in a fortnight and both Imperium and The Undisputed Era advanced in the 2020 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic with wins over Gallus and The Forgotten Sons respectively.
In a pleasing development for that, the company announced that Alex Shelley will be Kushida's partner, reforming their New Japan Pro Wrestling Time Splitters pairing.