The Good, Bad and Ugly: WWE NXT Takeover War Games 2018 Post-Show

Bobby Fernandes checks in with his Good, Bad, and Ugly review of WWE NXT Takeover War Games!

NXT Takeover WarGames II in Los Angeles California has a lot Good, in fact was a clean sweep in my Pre-show article.  However did it deliver?

THE GOOD

Matt Riddle vs. Kassius Ohno

The “King of Bros” knocked out a tough, reputable guy.  Kassius Ohno just put him over more than he already which was a feat in itself.  I am greatly hoping we see some Lars Sullivan vs Riddle in the future.  We won’t be seeing a KO there.  All in all Good way to get the crowd going to start the show and not interfere with the pace and plans already made.

NXT Women’s Championship 2-Out-Of-3 Falls Match
Shayna Baszler (c) vs. Kairi Sane

The match at Evolution was fantastic.  Although I don’t see much bad in any of their respective work.  I love that they are going out early.  I knew this was going to be good, and it meant that the rest of the card would have to deliver after these two were done.  Fireworks from the beginning, The Pirate Princess went ape shit!  Strikes, flying around, and pulling out all the stops, the crowd showed their appreciation.

It was a bit ruined by the outside interference and a cheap first fall for Baszler.  However I do love when the wrestlers play their roles well and Shayna Baszler and her crew are pure heels.  I loved the single leg Boston Crab and the sick stomp from Baszler.  She is brutal.  So many submissions, and torture.  She is just such a bad guy (girl).  This was just so physical the whole time.  So many high risk!  I loved watching this.  Even the action on the outside was fun to watch!  They with a blink of an eye, looking like it was over Shayna Baszler escapes with the victory and retains the NXT Women’s Championship!  Wow!  One hell of a match!

Aleister Black vs. Johnny Gargano

Johnny Wrestling is a hell of an athlete, and puts it all out there.  Aleister Black’s future is sky’s the limit, so unquestionably this match had the makings of gold.  Black’s kicks are insane and overall they beat the living hell out of each other.  I loved the technical wrestling effort from Gargano it brought some heavy contrast to an otherwise strike heavy fight.  Bump after bump, move after move they just kept outdoing themselves and the crowd eating it up!  Two Black Masses, Aleister Black Wins!  I really think once Aleister Black goes to the WWE Roster we will see some huge things for him, he is in a position to be like a new Undertaker type character and the talent around him can definitely benefit from him being there! Great match!

NXT Championship Match
Tommaso Ciampa (c) vs. Velveteen Dream

You are not dreaming, the Velveteen Dream is OVA!  This match has the It Factor, with both competitors bringing top notch talent.  A real and true championship match was had.  The disrespect, and taunting from both sides, and the constant reactions were good.  They told the right story.  The pace was perfect, letting things click and sink in.  As always we heard legit gasp from the crowd, and we were pulled in.

I enjoyed the Hollywood Hulk Hogan markouts by Dream as well.  We saw a lot, and this most certainly delivered as a Championship Match, which requires a certain level.  All of the close falls, and false hopes were spot on and not a dull moment in the match. Sick DDT Between the double ring, Tommaso Ciampa retains!

War Games Match
Ricochet, Pete Dunne & The War Raiders vs. Undisputed Era

Holy Damn!  This was a crazy match!  Undisputed Era knows this battleground already and somehow survived the First time.  Now they will have to beat even better talent, even more brutal opponents.  A guy that defies gravity, a true brut and a couple of Vikings.  The odds are against them big time.  This didn’t mean a thing however as The Undisputed Era are just about as good as it gets.  The highest of levels on NXT.  Part of me really hopes they stay in NXT so that WWE cannot even try to ruin them.

Ricochet and Adam Cole started off proper.  Again highest calibers of talent.  The pace was steady, and we saw some big moves.  Adam Cole wore his opponent out, and kept him grounded.  Hansen brought the house down and went ballistic defying what a big guy can do.  This was far from boring.  Roderick Strong is just incredible.  Undisputed seemed to be in full control.  The Rowe Powerbomb Powerslam was unbelievable, I could have watched that all day.  This changed everything for a bit resulting in a complete beatdown on Adam Cole.

Things change again, Bobby Fish with a true heel move locks Pete Dunne in the cage and brings chairs into the match, destroying everyone in the ring.  Once Pete Dunne got free, the match blew up.  Complete Chaos, Wargames set off!  Back and forth no one really was ahead, then out of nowhere, a giant suplex-powerbomb was like a reset button knocking everyone out, except Ricochet.  He decides to  freakshow out and double backflip onto the pile leading to an epic standoff with straight fighting, more highspots and finish worthy exchanges.  WarRaiders, Ricochet and Pete Dunne Win!

THE BAD and THE UGLY – N/A (Get outta here!)

Pretty awesome event overall!  Great surprises, big spots, and clean action!  What a night!  Survivor Series and WWE’s Main Roster has their work cut out for them, however it’s hard to tell if the big guys even care.  I don’t think so or else the quality would be higher.  NXT is just special and it doesn’t look like that is changing anytime soon!  Thank you for watching, reading and supporting this awesome community!  Please comment and share!

Do you agree with Bobby’s assessment of WWE NXT Takeover War Games?

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