5 potential finishes for Finn Balor vs Matt Riddle at NXT Takeover: WarGames

Finn Balor’s return to NXT and his heel turn has been one of the biggest highlights of the Black and Gold brand. He first attacked Johnny Gargano who was admitted to the hospital owing to a neck injury.

Following that, Balor cut a promo in which he called out the likes of Gargano and Matt Riddle for not being able to take the beating. This irked Riddle to an extent that he immediately came out to attack Balor. The two were then involved in a brawl on multiple occasions before it was announced that they would square off in a singles match at WarGames.

Riddle, who was initially going to represent Team Ciampa against the Undisputed Era, has now been replaced by Dominik Dijakovic in the WarGames match.

Now Riddle is set to lock horns with just one opponent and here are five possible ways in which this bout might end.

Also Read: WWE NXT Takeover: WarGames 2019 preview - Brutal rivalry to make history, huge surprise lined up for the PPV

#5 Matt Riddle wins clean

Finn Balor’s comments that questioned the worth of current NXT Superstars did not go down well with Matt Riddle. Therefore, the latter will be keen on proving that his opponent is not as good as he claims. The only way he can negate all the comments made by Balor is by winning clean in their match tonight.

Riddle is one of the most popular babyfaces in the Black and Gold brand. He has taken on several challenges and has successfully proved his mettle even when odds were stacked against him. In his upcoming match, Riddle has an equally good chance at picking a clean victory which will force an irked Balor to attack after the match.

Needless to say, it will be enough to initiate a full-fledged rivalry between both these Superstars who can get the viewers hooked on to the storyline. This win for Riddle will also prove that NXT will not hand out an easy path to someone just because he is a returning Superstar, and will also force Balor’s in-ring persona to get more intense in the process.

#4 Invasion costs Matt Riddle

Does Finn Balor have friends to fall back on?

In the ongoing invasion storyline for the build-up ahead of Survivor Series, we saw Matt Riddle actively participating in the destruction of the RAW and SmackDown roster. There, he had the likes of Keith Lee and Tommaso Ciampa backing him but tonight, he will be all by himself inside the squared circle.

On the other hand, Finn Balor has refrained from invading the other two brands in WWE and his stance on the entire rivalry is unclear. However, he momentarily helped The OC during the latter’s invasion of the Black and Gold brand by taking down Tommaso Ciampa. But the ‘two sweet’ moment between AJ Styles and Balor was disrupted by Adam Cole who attacked the United States Champion from behind.

Given the history between Balor and The OC, the latter’s reaction to Balor’s heel turn still leaves an opportunity for them to form an alliance. The OC may not necessarily interfere in the match but could cause a distraction that will help Balor pin Riddle to win his first match since his return to NXT.

#3 Finn Balor uses a low blow to pick up a win

Finn Balor may use conventional heel tactics

Finn Balor’s heel turn has had the fans invested for weeks now. Every Wednesday night, the former NXT Champion pulls off a trick to take the pro-wrestling business by surprise. This match has the potential to add more to Balor’s heel turn and here’s how it can happen.

Throughout the build-up for this match, Balor has claimed that he is the best in this business and has mocked the entire NXT roster for their lack of caliber. His opponent, Matt Riddle, could not take the insult and stepped up for a fight.

Riddle is a brilliant choice to be Balor’s opponent as he is exceptionally talented inside the ring. He can definitely put up an impeccable fight against Balor and even turn the odds in his favor. A desperate Balor will then use a low blow to take down Riddle and pin him for a much-needed victory.

This move will facilitate their rivalry going forward and also establish Balor as an intense heel who can go to any length to prove his credentials. He could even cheat his way to the win, convincing the fans about his changed attitude towards the entire business.

#2 Undisputed Era interferes in the match

Although the Undisputed Era are set to face Tommaso Ciampa, Keith Lee, Dominik Dijakovic and one more Superstar in a WarGames match, they might still end up interfering in this singles encounter between Finn Balor and Matt Riddle. After all, the latter has played a huge role in the build-up of this feud between the two teams.

The Undisputed Era members may attack Riddle from behind to provide Balor with an advantage. The relationship between this stable and Balor has not been defined. However, the latter’s moves have always favored the intentions of the Undisputed Era.

This will also force Ciampa to come out and give us a sneak peek of the brutality that the WarGames match will witness, later in the night. Moreover, interference by The Undisputed Era coupled with Balor’s victory will once again tease a possible alliance between the two most dominant heel forces in all of NXT.

#1 Finn Balor picks up a clean win

Finn Balor's words might be true after all

Finn Balor’s initial run with NXT saw him quickly rise through the ranks and win the appreciation of the WWE Universe. However, he wasn’t nearly as successful following his move to the main roster. A part of the blame lies in the unfortunate injuries that he sustained but the booking played a major role in limiting a promising Superstar to the mid-card.

Despite poor storylines, Balor has managed to create an impression amongst the fans and is seen as a force to reckon with. His popularity was restored with his arrival on NXT and the much-awaited heel turn. Balor is now picking on top babyfaces on the Black and Gold brand to make his presence felt.

Balor’s first-ever heel turn in WWE will attract more attention and credibility if he manages to pick a clean win against Matt Riddle. He can prove that everything he said about the NXT Superstars being 'unable to take a beating' is essentially true.

The only way for him to make the fans believe that his words aren’t hollow is by proving himself inside the ring tonight at WarGames which would see him walk out with a win under his belt.