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NXT TakeOver WarGames 2019 delivered as expected this weekend. In this edition, the show featured two explosive WarGames matches. The first one kicked off the show as women wrestled inside the diabolical structure for the first time.
The second WarGames match spectacularly closed the PPV as Tommaso Ciampa and Adam Cole took part in one of the most enthralling matchups of the year so far. Kevin Owens also stole the show by making an unexpected return to WWE's third brand during the clash.
You can't witness a bad match on a stage such as TakeOver since it primarily focuses on delivering bouts where every Superstar gives their best. On top of that, the length of last night's PPV and other TakeOver shows in general makes for easy viewing.
Here are a few interesting observations from NXT TakeOver: WarGames (November 23, 2019).
#3. The WarGames bouts had a common theme
Team Ripley and Team Ciampa picked up the victories in their respective WarGames matches. Dakota Kai's heel turn and Kevin Owens' NXT return were two of the biggest moments from last night's PPV.
However, there was a common theme that united both of these matches: Both Team Ripley and Team Ciampa had a disadvantage at the beginning of their bouts, but they still managed to pick up wins.
Team Ripley stayed alive despite having fewer Superstars, and eventually prevailed under Rhea Ripley's leadership. On the other hand, Team Ciampa needed a desperate shift in momentum to turn things around, because they were a man short, and Kevin Owens showed up in the nick of time.
The scenario where underdogs beat the odds to achieve success has been a huge part of WWE history, and last night was no different, as both male and female Superstars of the NXT roster pushed boundaries to deliver another great PPV.
#2. Survivor Series affected this year's WarGames event positively and negatively
The triple brand war within WWE on the road to Survivor Series 2019 has resulted in several invasions. Although incursions have been a common theme in WWE for the past few weeks, NXT had been simultaneously building up to both WarGames and Survivor Series.
This indirectly resulted in a relatively poor buildup for an NXT PPV, but most fans overlooked it since brand invasions are exciting. However, what's interesting is that NXT's status for Survivor Series remains quite impressive since the Black & Gold brand has been the most dominant on WWE TV in the past few weeks.
Will a WarGames fatigue ultimately cost NXT their battle against RAW and SmackDown this Sunday?
One would have to imagine that after pushing their bodies to the limit at NXT TakeOver: WarGames, Survivor Series will be an even greater task. Whatever the case may be, NXT has been at the forefront of WWE coverage recently, and that is a good thing in the long run.
#1. We should have anticipated Kevin Owens' NXT return
The men's WarGames match was shrouded in mystery heading into last night's PPV, and that was because Team Ciampa's final member was kept a secret. There were various names mentioned, but Kevin Owens being the mysterious member was genuinely surprising for both the audience in the arena and at home.
In retrospect, we should have seen this coming. After all, Owens' return to NXT was teased during the most recent edition of RAW, where Triple H tried to talk The Prize Fighter into rejoining the Black & Gold brand.
Owens was certainly the most fitting mystery member for Team Ciampa, and an interesting fact is that The Prize Fighter is a part of Team RAW in the men's Survivor Series Elimination Match at the moment.
So if Kevin's NXT return was a permanent move like Finn Balor's, we could see a massive shift in the game when Shawn Michaels announces the men's NXT Survivor Series Team during the PPV.
Rate your favorite matches from NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2019 by clicking on this link.
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