Recap and Review of NXT Takeover WarGames 2020
Tonight, was the annual WarGames event for NXT. This year a lot of feuds are being settled and a lot of great talent was showcased on the show. WarGames is always special since it’s conception many years ago in WCW. Here are the results of WarGames:
-Candice LeRae, Toni Storm, Dakota Kai, and Raquel Gonzales defeated Shotzi Blackheart, Rhea Ripley, Io Shirai and Ember Moon in the Women’s WarGames Match
-Tommaso Ciampa defeated Timothy Thatcher.
-Dexter Lumis defeated Cameron Grimes in a Strap Match
-Johnny Gargano defeated Leon Ruff and Damien Priest to become the new North American Champion
-Undisputed Era defeated Pat McAfee, Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch in the Men’s WarGames Match
The opening match of the night was the Women’s WarGames match. This collectively could be the most talented match in NXT Women’s Division. It was great to Shotzi Blackheart have a new and improved Tank to ride in on. She continues to evolve her character and has made strides as a performer in 2020. There is a little bit of history in this match because it was the first time the “babyface” team had the advantage in the WarGames. There were a lot of weapons brought into this match, which made it even more fun to watch. The psychology of the faces having the advantage finally played out because they kept Io Shirai out of the ring until Candice Larae had the advantage. One of the best parts of this match was when Io Shirai was on top of the cage and she dove with trash can over her body (Yes it sounds weird but watch it). There was some great innovation in this match, which made it better than last year’s Women’s WarGames match. In the end, Gonzales got the pin on Io Shirai which was shocking. I have no doubt that Gonzales has put herself in a position for an NXT Women’s Championship Match.
One of the most intriguing matches of the year in NXT was Timothy Thatcher taking on Tommaso Ciampa. Both are physical and psychotic in their own ways. Ciampa has had a completely different mindset since he lost to Karrion Kross earlier this year. He has been facing guys who are more than likely going to be the future of NXT and WWE for many years to come. During the match, Thatcher’s ear was busted open and the blood made the match that much more intense. It seems like every time Thatcher gets busted open; he gets scarier. I was not sure who was going to get the victory in the match, but Ciampa got the win by barely surviving the onslaught of Thatcher.
Two of the most interesting personalities in NXT are Cameron Grimes and Dexter Lumis. These two have been feuding for months now. They have interfered in each other’s matches, fought in a Blindfold Match and even fought in a Haunted House at Halloween Havoc. Tonight, they fought in a Strap Match and we saw a new aggression and side of Grimes that I have not seen in him since he has been in NXT. I personally love the Dexter Lumis character. He is silent, rarely shows any pain and does the smallest things to make people fearful of him. I am not sure what direction they are headed with either competitor is headed, but I have a feeling that the future is going to be bright for Dexter Lumis in 2021.
When it comes building new stars, NXT has been great at that. The storyline between Johnny Gargano and Damian Priest involved a new star on the rise in Leon Ruff. I know Leon Ruff winning the North American Championship was meant as a joke, but he really showed what he was made of tonight. I think he will be moved away from the Priest-Gargano feud and be a legitimate contender to the NXT Cruiserweight Championship. For weeks, Gargano has had a masked man getting involved in his match, much like the masked woman was getting involved with Candice LeRae’s matches. The woman eventually ended being Indie Hartwell and tonight the masked man was revealed to be Austin Theory. Based on what I saw tonight, I think this feud is far from over.
The Main Event of the evening was the Men’s WarGames Match between Undisputed Era and Team McAfee. I have to say Pat McAfee has been a breath of fresh air for NXT. He brings his brand, popularity and the crossover appeal from the sports world. His rivalry with Adam Cole in and out of the ring has been great. Both Cole and McAfee can talk, so I was already sold before the match even took place. The men’s match did not have as much innovation as the Women’s Match did, but they told a great story with the tables, the British Culture and the focus on McAfee. This match had to have been one of the longer WarGames matches that I can remember. All eight competitors went all out in this match and they will be feeling it for a while. The night ended with Undisputed barely standing tall with the victory. All eight men deserve a ton of respect for they put themselves through. It was an amazing match with an amazing stoy.
WarGames was spectacular as I knew it would be. We saw some shocking results and surprises throughout the night. Raquel Gonzales had her stock go way up, Austin Theory returns and Karrion Kross teased his return. This was a great way to cap off a great year for NXT despite all the challenges they had through the current situation. With everyone returning and the roster getting healthy again, I look for NXT to build some huge momentum heading into 2021 and Wrestlemania season. NXT Takeover WarGames gets a 9 out of 10 from me. Tonight, the stars of NXT went to war. On January 6th, they prepare for NXT New Years Evil.
