WWE NXT TakeOver: WarGames Match Card and Predictions

WWE find themselves in an unfamiliar position heading into this weekend, that position being that their main roster show has an equally interesting card as their NXT TakeOver event. While the developmental territory’s offering will no doubt win out on overall match quality, Survivor Series may very well be able to follow it. But that’s on Sunday, and TakeOver is on Saturday, so we’re going to break down the card for the hotly anticipated special that will see the return of an iconic NWA match stipulation.

 

WWE UNITED KINGDOM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

PETE DUNNE (c) VS. JOHNNY GARGANO

Seemingly the most random bout in recent memory, this match won’t actually be taking place on the main card, but will serve as a dark match and be included in next week’s episode of NXT. It’s a shame this one can’t be experienced by us live, as it will no doubt be a hard-hitting affair between two darlings of independent wrestling. At least we’ll get to see it eventually, though.

PREDICTION: The Bruiserweight’s reign isn’t going to be ending in a dark match, and certainly not to an American. Pete Dunne to retain.

 

KASSIUS OHNO VS. LARS SULLIVAN

Every card needs a filler match, expect this to open the show and not be much to write home about. WWE seems to be intent on pushing their latest big man project in Lars Sullivan, a pint-sized Braun Strowman who’s yet to have a notable win on a big stage. Kassius Ohno has not lived up to his full potential since his NXT return, and has gone from challenging for the NXT Championship in his first match back to working with a generic monster heel.

PREDICTION: The big, muscly bloke defeats the rotund gentleman.

 

ALEISTER BLACK VS. THE VELVETEEN DREAM

The most intriguing storyline in NXT right now is undoubtedly the quest of Patrick Clark to earn the acknowledgment of the wrestler so edgy you could fall off him. The Velveteen Dream character may be a shameless Prince rip off, but there’s a quirky charisma there that sucks you in with its flamboyant charm. A gimmick that initially seemed like a joke has evolved into the first real challenge for Aleister Black since dispatching Hideo Itami in August. Patrick’s stock will be significantly higher once this one’s over with, he has nowhere to go but up.

PREDICTION: Black is the obvious choice here, but the Dream is going to put on one hell of a show that is sure to win over those still unconvinced. He’s still getting his head knocked off with a Black Mass though.

 

NXT WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

EMBER MOON VS. KAIRI SANE VS. NIKKI CROSS VS. PEYTON ROYCE (WITH BILLIE KAY)

The true wildcard of the entire show, this is one of the toughest matches to call all year as every participant could realistically win. Asuka’s vacating of the title and subsequent jump to the main roster has left an open field for the NXT women’s division, allowing multiple stars to shine. Starting with who is least likely to win and working our way through, Peyton Royce is a wonderful performer who is most likely in this match to take the pinfall. Billie Kay will no doubt take advantage of fatal four way rules and interfere, possibly even unintentionally costing the other half of The Iconic Duo her shot at the gold.

Nikki Cross would be a smart choice to back, but Sanity’s feud with The Undisputed Era is far from over, and she will most likely be involved in that. Taynara Conti initially screwing Cross out of her shot in the title match at the behest of Adam Cole’s group leads one to believe that she may join as an official member. This would give Cross a larger part to play in the feud, so Conti could potentially cost Cross the match via interference.

That leaves it between Ember Moon and Kairi Sane, and it’s a complete coin toss between the two. Sane has been pushed hard, winning the Mae Young Classic and being presented as the next top babyface female performer. She’s almost being given what many assumed would be Ember Moon’s spot, who never scored a victory over Asuka to be anointed as the next in line. Less emphasis has been placed on her NXT presence in the months leading up to this show, playing second fiddle to the newcomer Sane.

PREDICTION: This is too close to call, expect anybody to walk away champion. But the most likely victor seems to be Kairi Sane. Nikki Cross is the dark horse pick, however.

 

NXT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

DREW MCINTYRE (c) VS. ANDRADE “CIEN” ALMAS (WITH ZELINA VEGA)

A man once labelled a flop, the ascendancy of Almas has been a sight to behold and he’s rightfully a title contender after a series of ups and downs. Drew McIntyre has been solid in his role, but he’s not connected with the fans in the same way his predecessors have. It’s unclear what he must do, as his look and in-ring talent are top notch, but it’s not as if fans don’t care at all about him. It is guaranteed to be a clash of epic proportions, which should see Almas being taken more seriously when all is said and done. Sadly, this one’s rather predictable, with Andrade gaining the upper hand on Drew on the go-home episode of NXT, booking logic dictates that he’d doing the job.

PREDICTION: Drew retains his title in a hard fought, babyface victory, probably after overcoming some chicanery from the pairing of Almas and Vega.

 

WARGAMES MATCH

SANITY VS. THE UNDISPUTED ERA VS. THE AUTHORS OF PAIN AND RODERICK STRONG

Ladies and gentlemen, your main event of the evening, the debut of the legendary WarGames match in the hallowed halls of WWE. Vince has owned the rights to this match ever since he bought WCW way back in 2001, and fans have been begging for it to make a return for years. Two rings and two cages will house NXT’s most notorious multi-man groups (and Roderick Strong). Despite some rule changes and the lack of a roof over the cages, it’s effectively the same match. Team members will fill the ring gradually, and the first to score a pinfall or submission wins the whole thing.

Sanity aren’t defending their NXT Tag Team Championship here, which makes the outcome somewhat of a foregone conclusion. This will most likely be the last match in NXT for Authors of Pain before they move on to the main roster, so they could be the victims of the fall. That boils it down to Sanity and The Undisputed Era, the warring factions led by Eric Young and Adam Cole, respectively. Sanity are already firmly established and won’t drop the belts if they lose here, so they won’t be damaged. Undisputed Era need a signature win to let the NXT Universe know what they’re all about.

PREDICTION: Undisputed Era win using underhanded tactics, possibly even through Roderick Strong turning on Authors of Pain and joining their ranks.