Women’s WarGames Match – NXT TakeOver: WarGames
Further adding to the stacked women’s division on the main roster, the NXT women’s talent-filled all their brightest stars into this match – giving all impressive moments and storylines. In this, Team LeRae (led by Candice LeRae and featuring Dakota Kai, Raquel González, and Toni Storm) took on Team Blackheart (with captain Shotzi Blackheart as well as Ember Moon, Rhea Ripley, and Io Shirai).
Filled with spots and moments such as Shotzi’s tank, Shirai’s denial from entry, a run-in by Indi Hartwell, an Ember Moon eclipse onto chairs on Kai, Blackheart’s dive onto a chair-crushed LeRae, Kai storming Shirai who was trapped in a trash can and a González chokeslam through a ladder between the 2 rings.
However, most memorably was an instantly iconic and absurdly hilarious move in which Shirai placed herself within a trash can before diving down onto the many bodies below. Sure, it may not be as serious as the classic WarGames match in the NWA in the 80s; its combination of unique moments, true wackiness, and drama made it stand out.
A match further proving the strength of the athletes and characters within the NXT system, it also had a surprise finish when the NXT women’s champion Io Shirai was actually pinned by Raquel González after a dominant showing. Whilst 4 wrestlers lost, and likely all 8 felt sore the next day – but (excuse the cliché) there were no losers in this bout.