5 outstanding moments from Finn Balor vs Johnny Gargano

It was a match that was months in the making. Since Finn Balor's betrayal, this past October on Johnny Gargano fans have been waiting for these two men to finally face on another.

When teams were chosen for NXT TakeOver: War Games the belief by some was that Balor would team alongside the rest of the Undisputed Era while, Gargano would team alongside Tommaso Ciampa in an effort to take out the foes.

That didn't happen and Johnny TakeOver was Johnny Absent. Balor's attack left Gargano unable to compete only helping to further the build between both men and their eventual match. When it appeared as though Balor was going to defeat Adam Cole, Johnny Gargano appeared and made his way to the ring to take out Balor. After several chair shots, Balor left the ring with Gargano standing tall.

Their match at NXT TakeOver: Portland was an amazing story told by two phenomenal athletes. Which moments stood out during their first-ever matchup?

#5 Introductory package

Leading up to the match between these two it was clear that the animosity between them had run deep. On one side there was a man that said he built NXT, and on the other side a man who rebuilt it after he left. It became less about who was better than whom but rather who was considered more valuable than the other. The video montage showcases how their paths eventually crossed upon.

When it appeared that Balor and Gargano along with Ciampa would be aligning to challenge the Undisputed Era something happened. A seemingly unprovoked Pele kick by Balor was all that was needed to send shockwaves through the NXT Universe.

The slow plodding Balor then proceeded to connect with his 1916 DDT onto Gargano along the rampway. Shots were fired and the feud was just getting underway between Gargano and Balor.

#4 Headscissor Pushups

One of the things both men had been known for was their ability to use their technical skills to thwart their dominance. This was typically the case for both men. For Johnny Gargano, it was a matter of him being able to use an array of strikes with his technical wizardry to put on the best matches possible. The same could be said about Finn Balor.

Since he came to the WWE he has showcased the same style as well. With his propensity being for using more of an aerial assault than his opposition, Balor still demonstrates technical skills.

During one moment in the match where Balor is attempting to wear down Gargano, he locks in head scissors. While the move isn't anything unusual or out of the ordinary, the little exclamation point that Balor did on the move by applying pushups showed that this isn't the same Finn Balor WWE fans had seen in the past.

#3 Kick for Kick to Pin

As mentioned earlier, the two men are known for their ability to use technical skills along with stiff strikes to take out their opposition. Both men are known for their various kicks. Gargano's kicks are long tied to his longtime admiration for Shawn Michaels.

Those are evident in his use of the superkick. This is then combined with the use of the bicycle kick as well that also furthers his use of his feet. One of Gargano's notable strikes is when he takes an opponent down and then he proceeds to roll through and kick them in the head while the opposition is recovering on their knees.

There is one sequence in the match where both men exchange kicks with a finish that nearly left Gargano as the winner. Gargano hit a superkick, then proceeded to hit a bicycle kick. Balor, in turn, responded with a Pele kick of his own. However, after the Pele Kick, Gargano simply collapsed onto the fallen Balor leading to a pinning attempt.

#2 Shotgun Dropkick from the Announce Table to Announce Table

One of Finn Balor's signature moves is the shotgun dropkick. He has used it on several occasions. In hitting the move it tends to be a prelude to his coup de gras finisher. The move is most often done when the opposition is staggering to their feet.

They are often unaware of what is coming their way until it is too late. Much like a bullet fired from a gun, the shotgun dropkick strikes the opposition often blasting them back first into the turnbuckle. The sheer impact alone is intended to all but wipe out the opposition.

This evening, Balor hit the move once again but it was different. With Gargano coming to his feet on one announce table Balor struck. Balor stood across from Gargano on another announce table and charged at him. He hit him with the shotgun dropkick. The impact didn't just take Gargano off the table but it blasted him back first into the barricade at ringside.

#1 Post-Match Berating

After Finn Balor had hit the coup de grace finisher on Johnny Gargano he began to give the crowd and camera his attention. He often said that his past would become his future and Balor didn't disappoint. To some, it may have appeared as though Balor was pandering to the crowd showcasing his cockiness that wasn't the case.

He once again picked Gargano up and this time hit him with the 1916 DDT in the middle of the ring. Balor covers Gargano in the most arrogant way possible. There was no leg hooked and no arms clutched.

After the bell sounded, Balor rested overtop of the fallen former NXT Champion for a count of three. Once the match ended, Balor then verbally assaulted Gargano. There was no grateful to walk away as the winner in this match for Balor. The Prince clutches Gargano's face and talks down to him insulting him in the process after his win.