5 surprising moments from NXT TakeOver: Portland

#4 Finn Balor beats Johnny Gargano clean

This is one of many painful strikes in an incredible NXT TakeOver: Portland match

The first match in the WWE between Finn Balor and Johnny Gargano was certainly worth the long wait. These two wrestlers are among the best performers in the WWE and they have built up this great feud well as a real showcase of who could be the true leader of the NXT locker room.

I love they are selling the idea of a serious Balor again, as his return to NXT has made him look like a true star. I think having twenty-five-minute matches helps that too.

The match itself was about as even as one could be. It was filled with impressive technical wrestling, strikes, high-risk moves, and believable near falls. It was hard to see who would win before Balor hit his signature moves to pick up the clean victory. It was shocking to see Johnny Gargano lose another match clean, but it made more sense with events later in the night.