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NXT TakeOver: WarGames is this Sunday. It features two WarGames matches and several other exciting matchups.
The two WarGames matches are stacked with talented stars:
The Undisputed Era vs. Pat McAfee, Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch
Team Blackheart (Shotzi Blackheart, Ember Moon, Rhea Ripley and Io Shirai) vs. Team LeRae (Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez and Toni Storm)
Plus, in a Triple Threat Match for the NXT North American Championship, champion Leon Ruff will face Johnny Gargano and Damian Priest.
Dexter Lumis will also take on Cameron Grimes in a Strap Match, and Tommaso Ciampa will battle Timothy Thatcher.
This show is the fourth NXT TakeOver: WarGames
Ever since NXT brought back the spectacle, WarGames has been a highly- anticipated event on the NXT TakeOver calendar.
Consisting of eight wrestlers, two-rings, one giant cage and a tone of action, the WarGames match never fails to deliver. Sure, this event is only in front a handful of people. But this 2020's edition of WarGames is still be a must-see show.
All of these matches have many exciting potential outcomes that will strongly affect the future of NXT.
Here are five possible outcomes you should look out for ahead of NXT TakeOver: WarGames.
#5 Leon Ruff defeats Johnny Gargano and Damien Priest to retain the North American title at NXT TakeOver: WarGames
Ruff will most certainly have his hands full at NXT TakeOver: WarGames. There, he will defend his title against Johnny Gargano and Damian Priest.
Ruff shocked the NXT Universe when he pinned Gargano to become the NXT North American champion. Originally, Gargano had put the title on the line against Ruff as an easy exhibition match. But this plan backfired. Priest caused a distraction and helped Ruff score one of the most surprising title changes in NXT history.
Since he won the title, Ruff has wedged himself between Priest and Gargano. Both men want the title back. Now, all three competitors will collide at NXT TakeOver: WarGames with the NXT North American Championship on the line.
Ruff is the clear underdog in this match. He is often portrayed as a joke and a fluke champion. But Ruff has proven to be a credible opponent by going toe-to-toe to with "Johnny Wrestling." He even slapped "The Archer of Infamy" after the match.
Heading into Sunday, both Priest and Gargano have been drastically underestimating the champion. This stance will be their undoing, as WWE loves an underdog story. It has booked babyfaces using this trope for many years. Ruff's booking so far suggests that he's in line to be the next NXT underdog.
Judging by the booking and comic characterization of Ruff, many are expecting to see another lucky or accidental win for the young champ. But he's no joke. A legitimate win over two of NXT’s biggest names could solidify his spot on the show.
Gargano is a legendary figure in NXT. He's a grand slam champion, and he has done it all in NXT. Priest, on the other hand, is relatively new to the NXT title scene. But due to his size and prominence on the brand, he'll be moving up to the main event sooner rather than later.
This Triple Threat match is the perfect opportunity for both NXT and Ruff to make a statement with a decisive win for the champion. If he earns the victory, Ruff could become a serious fixture on the NXT mid-card scene.
#4 Toni Storm wins the match for Team LeRae at NXT TakeOver: WarGames
In the lead up to NXT TakeOver: WarGames, Toni Storm turned heel when she blindsided Ember Moon and joined Team LeRae as the fourth and final member of the quartet.
The betrayal came as a big surprise. This angle was so shocking because Storm is a perfect babyface. She is charismatic, energetic and a genuinely likeable character. But there could be a method to the madness. This turn could kick off a tremendous heel run for the former NXT UK Women’s Champion.
A heel persona for Storm could be very effective, and WarGames could be the perfect place to shine with this new personality.
Toni Storm could feud with a former NXT Women's Champion
Because the turn was at Moon's expense, Storm’s next feud will likely involve her. But if this new persona works and gathers steam, Storm could be the one who ultimately dethrones Io Shirai as the champion.
Storm's surprise appearance at NXT TakeOver 31 was overshadowed by Moon’s shocking return. From that moment on, Storm plotted her revenge. She likely hopes to take Moon out before she targets the NXT Women's Championship.
Shirai requires a new challenger, and a big win for Storm at NXT TakeOver: WarGames would most definitely put her into title contention.
#3 Mercedes Martinez returns to cost Team Blackheart the match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames.
Mercedes Martinez could make a return on a big stage at NXT TakeOver WarGames. The last time we saw Martinez on NXT, she faced Rhea Ripley in a Steel Cage Match. Since then, she made her main roster debut alongside Mia Yim in RETRIBUTION.
But her stint in the rebel faction was short-lived. She was removed from the group, and she hasn't been on TV in several weeks.
Martinez is far too good to be absent from television. She boasts a wealth of experience, and she brings an aggressive, legitimate style to the roster. She could be used as a teacher and a mentor. Martinez could also become a contender in the women's division.
Martinez is a legend in the business, and she needs to be treated as such in NXT. Her early affiliation with Robert Stone did little to build upon her legacy. Now, she needs to return with a purpose.
If Martinez returns and interferes at NXT TakeOver: WarGames, she would probably make a significant impact on the outcome of the women's match. As a result, she could line up four future opponents.
Mercedes Martinez recently tweeted about NXT TakeOver: WarGames.
Martinez has a history with Rhea Ripley, so she might target "The Nightmare." She could easily fit into a feud with Shotzi Blackheart, Ember Moon or NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai.
#2 Johnny Gargano wins the North American Championship with help from Ghostface at NXT TakeOver: WarGames
Johnny “TakeOver” heads into NXT TakeOver: WarGames to take part in the Triple Threat Match against Damian Priest and Leon Ruff for the NXT North American Championship.
Ever since Gargano turned heel by costing Tommaso Ciampa the NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver: Portland, he has done anything and everything to win. At NXT Halloween Havoc, a mysterious figure dressed as Ghostface from the hit movie franchise Scream cost Priest his match with Gargano. The tainted victory gave Gargano his second NXT North American Championship.
Gargano then lost the title to Ruff in a shocking upset. After this defeat, Ghostface has been seen a few times around the Capitol Wrestling Center.
In the build to the title match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames, Gargano has been hinting heavily about his ghostly backup on social media.
It's fair to expect Ghostface to interfere on Gargano's behalf on Sunday. Gargano’s backup could help him win his third NXT North American Championship. By breaking his own record for reigns with this title, Gargano could go down as one of the most decorated NXT wrestlers of all time.
#1 Pat McAfee wins the men’s WarGames match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames
Pat McAfee will lead the Kings of NXT into NXT TakeOver: WarGames to face The Undisputed Era in an epic battle.
McAfee has quickly become one of NXT’s most entertaining acts. His promos are among the best in the business. Plus, his match with Adam Cole at NXT TakeOver: XXX was surprisingly excellent.
He continued his feud with The Undisputed Era after NXT TakeOver: 31. He revealed himself as themastermind behind the backstage attacks on Cole, Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish. McAfee also announced his partnership with Danny Burch, Oney Lorcan and Pete Dunne. The group, known as The Kings of NXT, hoped to end The Undisputed Era.
NXT's famous faction came back with a vengeance. The two teams of four were at war, and there was only one way to solve this nuclear rivalry. NXT general manager William Regal said it best: he emphatically shouted, "WARGAMES!"
NXT TakeOver: WarGames will be Pat McAfee's second-ever match.
This WarGames event will be The Undisputed Era’s fourth time in the cage. The group will have the edge in experience. But McAfee and company do not come into the match completely unprepared. In 2018, Dunne prevailed over the Undisputed Era in that year’s WarGames match. He also defeated Kyle O’Reilly in a Ladder Match to give his team the advantage of entering the cage first.
Ultimately, this match is all about McAfee and his goal to vanquish The Undisputed Era. In his first match, he proved that he's more than capable of putting on a spectacle. It will be exciting to see what happens in a match as chaotic as WarGames. It could be the perfect opportunity for McAfee to live up to the hype.
The fact that the Undisputed Era is in their fourth consecutive WarGames match in as many years proves that they have a done it all in NXT. Still, it will be time for the quartet to move on soon. It's fairly clear that The Kings of NXT will replace them as the brand's dominant stable.
