5 Post-NXT TakeOver: Portland Predictions

NXT TakeOver: Portland is right around the corner and various matches on the card seem to hold huge implications heading into WWE's near future, including the following TakeOver and, of course, WrestleMania itself.

With TakeOver events being held in such high regard by fans and industry insiders alike, the pressure is always on for the superstars of NXT to deliver time and time again.

But what will be the aftermath of what promises to be one of the most action-packed events of the year? Will WWE's black and yellow brand put on another stunning night of wrestling, and what will it mean for the stars of the main roster?

Here are 5 post-NXT TakeOver: Portland predictions.

1) Undisputed no more

It's hard to refer to yourself as "Undisputed" if you don't even have one title to speak of. Which is one of the likely outcomes for the Undisputed Era come TakeOver: Portland.

Adam Cole, who has proven himself to be the workhorse of NXT and one of the very best wrestling talents working today, puts his NXT title on the line against a revived Tomasso Ciampa.

Ciampa, who is thoroughly convinced his beloved "Goldie" is coming home, is looking to climb to the mountaintop once again. But Cole isn't the only element of his faction that makes them "Undisputed"...

Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly could very well lose their NXT Tag Team Titles to the newly-founded "Broserweights" Pete Dunne and Matt Riddle, who are on a roll after winning the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

Without a single piece of gold to their name, could the "Undisputed Era" realistically carry on as normal? Or would it spell the end for what has been the most dominant contingent in NXT history? Or, even if they retain, have they reached their natural conclusion?

2) Adam Cole refuses call-up

While still considered the "developmental brand" of WWE by most in the business, many fans agree that NXT is the best thing going on WWE TV right now, if not the best wrestling TV show on the planet.

If Adam Cole were to lose his NXT title and, in keeping with tradition be called up to the main roster, would he accept the offer? Other NXT stars, Tomasso Ciampa included, have said they would politely decline because they are happy with the consistency and security that NXT and Full Sail University (where NXT is filmed) offers.

Or perhaps 'Bay-Bay' will retain and be expected to move to the main roster while still on top? Either way, it's not a foregone conclusion.

The word in the wrestling realm is that wrestling talent are given much more creative freedom in NXT than is available on Raw or Smackdown, which is a pretty good reason to stick around.

The pay rise on Mondays and Fridays might be tempting, but there's no denying Adam Cole has helped shape NXT into the more superior wrestling product. Maybe that's what's most important to him.

3) Balor/Gargano rolls on

Finn Balor and Johnny Gargano have long been considered two of the most talented athletes not just in NXT, but in pro wrestling as a whole. Since Finn Balor made his return to NXT from the main roster, it has always seemed inevitable that the two talents would have to meet at some point. Thankfully, it didn't take long for the two to cross paths.

The building of their feud on recent NXT television has been utterly captivating and is probably one of the reasons the Wednesday Night War isn't quite over yet.

Given that Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa produced one of the most memorable and talked-about rivalries of the past decade with multiple matches, perhaps WWE will want these two to follow the same blueprint?

If they produce a classic match at TakeOver: Portland (and it's very much looking like they will) should we expect to see them share the ring numerous times again before the year is out? I don't think any pure wrestling fans would be complaining!

4) Keith Lee gets the call

We might all be basking in his glory on NXT right now, but is it crazy to assume Keith Lee could be called up to the main roster sooner rather than later? He is currently the NXT North American Champion, but if he loses the title to Dominik Dijakovic (who NXT seem to be building as a potential champion in the making) at the upcoming pay per view, would it be the right time for him to make the move?

His super-impressive showings at Survivor Series, where he took Roman Reigns to the absolute limit, and the Royal Rumble are more than enough proof that the most agile 300+ pound man in WWE history is ready for the big leagues.

Besides, whether he retains or not, his overall popularity with the WWE Universe outshines that of most main roster talent already, even without an NXT title reign. If WWE want to make the most of the current tidal wave of support he's experiencing, they might want him to face the company's top names while the fire is hot.

5) Ripley conquers 'The Queen' at Mania

The moment Charlotte Flair won the 2020 Women's Royal Rumble, fans began to speculate if NXT's Rhea Ripley would be the one to face 'The Queen' at the grandest stage of them all. Having already defeated Bayley and Becky Lynch on multiple occasions, as pointed out by Charlotte herself the Raw after her rumble victory, Ripley was clearly the only plausible option.

If she overcomes a very game Bianca Belair at TakeOver: Portland, it's looking like the dream match will be on. Having come from NXT herself, Charlotte is well aware of what a struggle it can be to transition from one show to the other while maintaining momentum.

If WWE are seeking to create a new female megastar (much like Charlotte and Becky Lynch) having Ripley conquer the Queen in a five-star classic at WrestleMania is the perfect way to do it.

Ripley is a star in the making whatever happens, but having her defeat the 10-time champion at Mania will be a moment etched in wrestling history forever.

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Edited by Greg Bush