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The fourth WarGames of the NXT era is upon us. The black-and-gold brand's annual staple is scheduled to take place at the Capitol Wrestling Center on December 6, 2020. Similar to the WWE ThunderDome, the Capitol Wrestling Center will have video walls surrounding the ring with virtual fans. It will be the 32nd event under the NXT TakeOver banner.
This show features two WarGames bouts that headline the event, and they will have a tough legacy to follow. WarGames has a long history of delivering incredible matches. The build to the show has felt rushed, but the card has still shaped up well. On paper, Sunday's show has the potential to be comparable to past WarGames events. Here are our picks for the final NXT TakeOver of 2020:
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Timothy Thatcher
Tommaso Ciampa has been finally granted what he wanted - a showdown with the master of Thatch-as-Thatch-Can, Timothy Thatcher.
Thatcher was confronted by Ciampa following his onslaught on ex-student August Grey. The former EVOLVE Champion retreated after he said that he had “no problem” with "The Blackheart." But that stance changed when Ciampa's appearance at ringside helped Kushida defeat Thatcher.
Tensions continued to rise between these competitors. On the go-home episode of NXT, Ciampa interrupted Thatcher’s latest demonstration. But he was assaulted from behind by a student. The segment concluded with the devious technician finally accepting Ciampa’s challenge.
These two initially clashed after NXT TakeOver 31, but the match ended in a disqualification. This bout should be another fun contest, with Ciampa’s hard-hitting style clashing with Thatcher’s deep array of holds.
Believe it or not, it has been almost two years since Ciampa won a singles match on an NXT TakeOver. For that reason alone, we're going with Ciampa, though Thatcher could benefit more from the win.
Our Pick: Tomasso Ciampa
Strap Match: Dexter Lumis vs. Cameron Grimes
Cameron Grimes will have nowhere to hide this Sunday when he squares off against Dexter Lumis in a Strap Match.
This duo has been anunlikely highlight on NXT. After singles matches, backstage altercations, and interferences, these two are ready for war. It all comes down to this - a Strap Match. Despite Grimes trying his best to move on, Lumis has continued to haunt him. He pulled out a strap after their most recent encounter, paving way for NXT general manager William Regal to make this match official.
Sunday will actually mark Lumis' second time in a Strap Match. He successfully took on Roderick Strong at NXT Great American Bash in July.
There will be no escape for Grimes this weekend. Both superstars will be strapped together this time. The only way to win is to consecutively touch all four turnbuckles, dragging your opponent as you go. A win here could thrust "The Technical Savage" into the title picture for the first time in months. But a victory for Lumis seems more likely.
Our Pick: Dexter Lumis
NXT North American Championship Triple Threat Match: Leon Ruff (C) vs. Damian Priest vs. Johnny Gargano
Newly crowned NXT North American Champion Leon Ruff will defend his title against two dominant former champions on Sunday. Johnny Gargano and Damian Priest are both looking to regain the title at NXT TakeOver: WarGames.
Ruff pulled off one of the biggest shocks of the year when he pinned Gargano for the gold last month. Gargano has been obsessively chasing the title ever since. If not for Priest's interference in a rematch with Ruff, he could have regained the title. This trio was part of a hilarious Kevin Owens Show on NXT, and Regal decided to book this Triple Threat match.
Ruff has been the underdog story we never knew we wanted. But now the plucky upstart has the tall task of trying to hold onto the gold. He must prove the doubters wrong and show that he is a true champion. For "Johnny Wrestling," Sunday marks his 18th TakeOver appearance, which is an NXT record.
This match has the potential to steal the show, as all three guys are supremely talented and share great chemistry.
Though Ruff has become a little too big for his boots, and of course his belt, he will likely overcome the odds on Sunday. He probably won't hold the title for too long, but he is still very early into his title reign. Gargano and Priest will probably become preoccupied with each other, so Ruff could sneak away with a win by the skin of his teeth.
Our Pick: Leon Ruff
WarGames Match: Team Shotzi (Shotzi Blackheart, Ember Moon, Rhea Ripley, and NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai) vs. Team Candice (Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzales, and Toni Storm)
The personal rivalry between Candice LeRae and Shotzi Blackheart on NXT has reached a boiling point. Now, this feud will culminate in a WarGames Match.
Blackheart made an enemy out of LeRae at NXT Halloween Havoc when she snuffed out Indi Hartwell's interference. LeRae felt that Blackheart cost her this NXT Women's Championship match. She retaliated by heinously running over Shotzi’s beloved tank in a hummer. Weeks later, a WarGames Match featuring their two teams will see them settle their score once and for all.
Both squads are stacked with stars. Shotzi has assembled a loaded a foursome. She will be backed by Rhea Ripley, Ember Moon, and Io Shirai. Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez have aligned with "The Poison Pixie." The heel team was recently rounded off by the addition of Toni Storm. She completed a stunning heel turn by betraying Moon on NXT.
The amount of star power involved in this bout makes one argument clear. NXT has the best women’s division in pro wrestling right now. The bad blood between the groups should lead to a brutal match. Team Kai could certainly walk away victorious. But the super babyface team getting revenge over LeRae's army makes the most sense here.
Either way, expect some sort of shenanigans in this match. Maybe Hartwell will get involved in an effort to help LeRae. But Team Shotzi is more than equipped to manage any threat.
Our Pick: Team Shotzi
WarGames Match: The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Bobby Fish & Roderick Strong) vs. Kings Of NXT (Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan, Danny Burch & Pat McAfee)
In what will likely be the night’s main event, Pat McAfee and Adam Cole will meet in a climactic battle. Their long-simmering issues date back to NXT TakeOver XXX, where the former NFL All-Pro squared off against Cole in his first wrestling match. McAfee lost, but he impressed the WWE Universe with his athleticism and in-ring prowess.
Since then, McAfee has personally targeted the Undisputed Era. In fact, he has joined forces with some of the best technicians in the industry. He has teamed up with Oney Lorcan, Danny Burch, and Pete Dunne. This new faction will have a chance to prove that they run NXT. They will also give their established opponents their toughest competition in their WarGames.
On the other hand, the members of the Undisputed Era are legends in NXT. Decorated is an understatement when it comes to these four men. This team, by far, has the most experience in the cage. They’re now heading into their fourth WarGames Match in four years. Still, the quartet will face an uphill battle after "The Bruiserweight" secured the WarGames advantage.
This match could go either way, but it's safer to be on the fence with this one. Undisputed Era hasn’t won at WarGames in three years. It would be nice to see them reign supreme on Sunday and prove why they are the true kings of NXT.
Our Pick: The Undisputed Era
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