NXT Portland, OR, live results: Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe erupts into post-match brawl

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Submitted by Mister Oohlala

– No Way Jose d. Murphy

Evidently, today was “No Way Day” on social media. I haven’t the foggiest what that was supposed to indicate, but it did translate into the crowd being into Jose, whom right now is a perfect opening match guy.

– Tucker Knight d. Tino Sabatelli

Knight is from Portland and carried a Trail Blazers’ “Rip City” sign to the ring.  Sabatelli looks like a generic wrestler from 2005, cut from the Randy Orton/Mark Jindrak mold. As basic as a match can get, lots of armbars and chinlocks. Knight won with a rather clumsy powerslam.  

– Bayley d. Nia Jax

It’s been repeated ad nauseum, but there’s something special about Bayley.  When she entered the arena, a different kind of energy took over the room.  She has a Dusty-esque natural everywoman charisma to her. Match was what you would expect, Nia kept using her weight against Bayley, but Bayley ended up winning with a roll up.

– Austin Aries d. Mojo Rawley

Mojo was only below The Drifter as far as drawing crowd hatred, which seemed to amuse Aries.  He picked up Mojo’s shirt off the mat and threw it to the crowd, only for the crowd to throw it back.  There was a funny spot where Aries and Mojo were running the ropes and Aries stopped and watched Mojo run the ropes a few times like an idiot before he noticed Aries laughing at him.  Aries tapped him out. 

– NXT Tag Team Champions American Alpha d. The Revival

Match of the night.  Pretty much the same formula we’ve seen between these two team, but it’s a winning one. One thing I noticed is that Jordan’s facials while he’s on the apron are fantastic.  He seems to be totally absorbed in the story and drama of the match and his enthusiasm draws you in.  Alpha won with their finish on Dawson whom I finally figured out tonight is the bald one with the handlebar mustache. 

– Shinsuke Nakamura d. Elias Samson

Drifter was easily the most hated guy on the show and he ate it up.  This was a nothing match really that was just carried by Nakamura’s charisma and mannerisms.  Entertaining nonetheless.

– NXT Women’s Champion Asuka d. Alexa Bliss

Fans responded well to the entrances of these two, but seemed a little drained after the tag match and Nakamura. Asuka tapped Bliss out after about 10 minutes.  

– NXT Champion Samoa Joe d. Finn Balor

Balor was only slightly more popular than Joe, and they had a great match.  Joe won with a roll up and a handful of tights. Afterwards, a brawl erupted between the two and the entire locker room (Nakamura included) came out to break it up.  Once it was cleared out, William Regal came out and scolded Balor from the entrance ramp.  

Notes:

Good crowd.  The Moda Center was set up in the “Theater Of The Clouds” configuration, which holds about 6,500, and I would say the building was 75-80% full. Only the seats on the far ends of the upper bowls were empty.  Crowd was into pretty much everything, and most of the chants were the ones you hear on the NXT TV and TakeOver shows. As Bryan noted from the Seattle show, there were a lot more women at the show than I’m used to seeing at RAW or SmackDown tapings.