Originally published at https://www.postwrestling.com/2020/01/08/wwe-nxt-notes-takeover-portland-build-gargano-vs-balor-worlds-collide-challenge/
There are a number of notes coming out the January 8th episode of WWE NXT from Full Sail University. To kick off the program, NXT Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley appeared to address the crowd following her title victory over Shayna Baszler last month. She was interrupted by Toni Storm, who has defeated Rhea Ripley twice and who’ll also be challenging for the NXT U.K. Women’s Championship this Sunday at NXT U.K. TakeOver: Blackpool II. Storm stated that when she wins the NXT U.K. Women’s Title, she is challenging Rhea Ripley at Worlds Collide on January 25th and both women will put their respective titles on the line. Rhea and Toni’s confrontation was interrupted by Bianca Belair, Io Shirai, Candice LeRae and NXT U.K. Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray who all have eyes on Ripley’s title.
A POISON RANA gets @CandiceLeRae right back in this thing on #WWENXT! pic.twitter.com/fL9edvf1n1
— WWE (@WWE) January 9, 2020
Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel and Undisputed ERA (Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish) advanced in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Next week, Alex Shelley and KUSHIDA will take on Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson), and Matt Riddle and Pete Dunne are taking on Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews to close out the first-round of the Dusty Classic.
Johnny Gargano made his way out to the ring and cut a promo about Finn Balor leaving NXT for the main roster. Gargano said he was supposed to get the call-up in August but said no. Balor came out to the ringside area and stated that if Gargano wants a fight, he’ll have to go speak to William Regal and he’ll get that fight at TakeOver: Portland on February 16th.
Chelsea Green made her return to NXT and attacked Kayden Carter after Carter’s loss to Mia Yim in singles competition. It was then revealed that Green is working alongside her fellow former-TNA comrade Robert Stone, or better known by most as Robbie E.
On next week’s edition of NXT, Bianca Belair, Candice LeRae, Chelsea Green, Dakota Kai, Vanessa Borne, Kayden Carter, Mia Yim, Santana Garrett, Io Shirai, Shotzi Blackheart and Xia Li will compete in a Battle Royal and the winner is heading to TakeOver: Portland to face Rhea Ripley for the NXT Women’s Championship.
Also, Keith Lee pinned Cameron Grimes in the Fatal 4-Way main event that involved Damian Priest and Dominik Dijakovic. On January 22nd, Keith Lee will challenge Roderick Strong for the NXT North American Championship.