NXT TakeOver: The Legacy of The WarGames Match
WWE NXT TakeOver: WarGames will be the rebirth of one of the greatest matches of all time. The WarGames will get a second chance to capture the imagination of fans worldwide.
This Saturday night one of the most iconic matches in professional wrestling history makes its return, The WarGames. Created by the legendary Dusty Rhodes, the match has been dormant since the fall of WCW in 2001. Fans have been clamoring for its return for years and finally, the WWE has answered the call. Thanks to Triple H and NXT, Takeover: War Games will air live from Houston, Texas this weekend.
Making its debut during the 1987 Great American Bash Tour, WarGames would become the ultimate way to settle a feud in Jim Crockett Promotions and later WCW. The first ever WarGames would pit The Four Horsemen against Dusty Rhodes, The Road Warriors, Nikita Koloff, & Paul Ellering. Thirty years later, Ellering will once again be involved in a WarGames match.
credit: wwe.com
Throughout the 80s and 90s, many familiar faces would step inside the double cage to wage war with their enemy. The Four Horsemen, Dusty Rhodes, Dustin Rhodes, Road Warriors and much more would often use the ominous structure to settle their scores. Now, not every WarGames match was a 5-star classic. Saturday night the 3 teams will have some high standards to follow, but will also have to erase the poor taste previous 3 team matches has left.
In the Summer of 1992, The Dangerous Alliance would go toe to toe with Sting’s Squadron in what is widely considered the greatest WarGames of all time. In the match, fans would get to see legendary wrestlers like Ricky Steamboat, Sting, Arn Anderson, Barry Windham and Rick Rude. Fans would also be treated to a young Steve Austin and Dustin Rhodes, who by the end of the night look like they’d been in a car wreck.
The match beyond gets new life
For years the WWE had denied ever wanting to do a War Games match. Fan speculation was that it would eliminate several ringside seats and, therefore, money from the gate. Now the announcement of the match does come at a time where WWE is seemingly adopting more and more of WCW’s history. Soon they will also revive WCW’s biggest event, Starrcade.
There will be some changes to the WarGames from its original incarnation. There will be no roof on the cage, which has some fans disappointed. But the positive of not having a roof is the ability for the talent to be more creative. In a recent media call, Triple H jokingly explained the decision by saying “Arn Anderson wasn’t doing moonsaults off the top back then.” In the original WarGames, the only way the match could end would be by submission or surrender. Now pinfalls are an acceptable way to win.
Even with the minor alterations to the match, Saturday night proves to be a monumental evening for NXT. The brand Dusty Rhodes was so proud of now gets to give new life to one of his greatest creations. The Undisputed Era, SAnitY, and Authors of Pain with Roderick Strong have some big shoes to fill.
Next: NXT TakeOver WarGames: Match Predictions
The WarGames has the legacy of being one of the biggest matches in wrestling history. WarGames has claimed the blood, sweat, and tears of everyone that have entered its structure. Without a doubt though, I think it’s safe to say those competing will want to make Dusty proud Saturday night.