'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQb/2gAIAQEAAAAAlQv/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAECEAAAAC//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAEDEAAAAH//xAAiEAABAwMDBQAAAAAAAAAAAAADAQIEBRETABIhIjFCUfH/2gAIAQEAAT8ArkgEJHx51LDKinFlyjkuEW7u3iqfE0SsCyOxMKwd+lqru2p6vfnX/8QAFhEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgAB/9oACAECAQE/ACcv/8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECIf/aAAgBAwEBPwC7bw//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The third edition of NXT Takeover: WarGames was a brilliantly executed PPV that witnessed history being made. For the first time in WWE, two women’s team squared off in a WarGames match and their performance exceeded expectations.
The show also saw Finn Balor compete in his first NXT match in over four years. This was his first match ever since he returned to the Black and Gold brand and Balor settled for nothing other than a victory.
We also witnessed Kevin Owens arriving as the fourth member of Team Ciampa in a welcome surprise. Overall, the PPV did justice to its reputation and delivered a great show with several noteworthy performances.
In this list, we will take a look at the top 5 performers who stole the show at NXT Takeover: WarGames III.
Also read: WWE Survivor Series 2019: 5 Superstars who flopped and 5 who impressed
#5 Pete Dunne
Pete Dunne squared off against Damien Priest and Killian Dain for an opportunity to challenge Adam Cole for his NXT Championship at Survivor Series. This triple-threat match was brutal from start to finish. We saw all the three competitors going at each other’s throats as soon as the bell rang.
The history shared between Dunne, Priest and Dain also accounted for an incredible narration inside the squared circle. The intensity of this bout kept the crown on its feet throughout its duration. There was not a single dull spot in the entire match and as a result, Dunne’s victory appeared sweeter.
During the match, Dain was adamant to punish Dunne for breaking his fingers. Priest, on the other, was desperate to let both his opponents know that he wants to settle scores. In the end, Dain took down Priest with Running Senton and Dunne used to opportunity to attack the latter. He then won the match via pinfall amidst thunderous applause.
#4 Rhea Ripley
NXT Superstar Rhea Ripley made history tonight by picking the win in the first-ever Women’s WarGames match. This match saw her fight against all odds to overcome Shayna Baszler and her team inside the monstrous cage.
Ahead of the show, Mia Yim was attacked, which led to Dakota Kai replacing her in Team Ripley. But right before Kai was supposed to enter the ring, she changed her path and went on to attack her best friend Tegan Nox, before abandoning her team. As a result, it was only Ripley and Candice LeRae who had to fight against the four women who were representing the team of the reigning NXT Women’s Champion.
After exchanging initial blows, Baszler tried putting Ripley in a handcuff which proved to be her detriment. The latter used the same handcuffs to trap her opponent when Baszler tried locking her in the Coquina Clutch.
By the time Baszler realized that she cannot escape anymore, Ripley slammed her onto the chair and sealed the match via pinfall.
#3 Finn Balor
WWE Superstar Finn Balor has attracted a lot of attention ever since his return to NXT. Since Johnny Gargano was medically unclear to participate in Takeover: WarGames, Matt Riddle stepped up to face the former NXT Champion.
Riddle was one of the few who were insulted by Balor. An offended Riddle then went on to attack Balor and the two continued to cross paths amidst the ongoing invasion angle.
Their rivalry resulted in a brilliant match between the duo at the PPV. Both Riddle and Balor engaged in an intense back and forth sequence and continued to punish each other with creative manoeuvres. Most of their moves were unpredictable which made this match all the more interesting. It was exciting to see them kick out of each other’s usual finishers and allowed both Superstars to share the spotlight.
In the end, Balor finally performed 1916 DDT on Riddle to seal his victory in the match. It was his first match on NXT in over four years and this win might allow the Creative to explore a potential rivalry between Riddle and Balor in the coming weeks.
Needless to say, Riddle is a big reason behind Balor’s inclusion in this list. Hopefully, we will see this sort of rivalry turn into a full-fledged feud in the future.
#2 Kevin Owens
The fourth member of Team Ciampa was not confirmed ahead of the pay-per-view. During the WarGames match, the Undisputed Era were dominating after the number game favored the stable. However, Tommaso Ciampa found a reliable backup in Kevin Owens who finally arrived on NXT and did the job.
Owens played a huge role in helping The Blackheart win back the momentum in the brutal match. He had her own reason to avenge the Undisputed Era who attacked him on the last episode of RAW while Triple H was trying to convince Owens to return to the Black and Gold brand.
It was indeed exciting to see KO fighting in between the yellow ropes and dominating the narration. The manner in which he was booked prevented him from overshadowing Ciampa, Keith Lee and Dominick Dijakovic, which was a brilliant decision on the part of the Creative. It is evident that NXT desperately wants KO to join their roster. Now, it will be interesting to see how this leverage will affect his push on the Red brand.
#1 Tommaso Ciampa
Tommaso Ciampa was forced to take time away from in-ring action after he sustained an unfortunate injury earlier this year. This also resulted in him relinquishing his title as he took time off for recovery.
Ciampa finally returned to NXT and started a feud with Adam Cole for the NXT Championship. He had the likes of Johnny Gargano and Finn Balor backing him, but the former got injured and the latter executed one of the best heel turns we have seen in ages. Following that, Ciampa found new allies in Matt Riddle, Keith Lee and Dominick Dijakovic, who followed him into the monstrous cage at WarGames.
The gruelling encounter between team Ciampa and the Undisputed Era finally ended after he delivered an Air Raid Crash off the cage that saw Adam Cole being put through the table. He pinned the NXT Champion to win the match and remind the WWE Universe that 'Daddy' is indeed home.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
