NXT TakeOver WarGames 2019: Results, Highlights, and Grades

NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2019 headed to the Allstate Arena in Chicago with two huge WarGames matches that included some shocking surprises.

NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2019 featured two WarGames matches including the first-ever women’s match inside the structure, along with an NXT Championship #1 contender Triple Threat, and a grudge match between Matt Riddle and the recently returned Finn Bálor.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1198392417751224321?s=20

WarGames has quickly become one of NXT’s featured matches compared to the WWE main roster; the terrifying stipulation has given us unbelievable matches and never-forgotten spots already in its short two-year history in NXT, and tonight promised to be no different with the latest NXT TakeOver and the first NXT TakeOver since NXT moved to USA Network.

Internet connectivity issues meant the pre-show was unfortunately missed by me; Isaiah “Swerve” Scott faced Angel Garza, with Garza proving victorious, continuing his swift momentum building.

Eventually, the Network started working and off we went…

Women’s WarGames Match: Team Baszler (Shayna Baszler, Bianca Belair, Io Shirai, and Kay Lee Ray) vs. Team Ripley (Rhea Ripley, Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai, and Tegan Nox)

Although mobile social media has updated me that Dakora Kai has replaced the earlier-attacked Mia Yim, which occurred during the NXT TakeOver Pre-Show, internet problems refusing to pack it in mean we finally get up and running just after the first match has begun, and just in time to see Io Shirai in the ring with Candice LeRae.

Shirai immediately hits a wicked corner dropkick on LeRae. Shirai is dominant, she’s so much better as a heel, as much as I  loved her babyface run. LeRae gets a bit of a comeback, but only just in time for Bianca Belair to enter the fray and immediately dominate. Belair lands a great standing shooting star press. Belair cuts off a LeRae comeback with a wicked right hand then multiple deadlift powerbombs.

Rhea Ripley is first out to defend Candice LeRae and she immediately goes under the ring and gets chairs, trash cans, kendo sticks, everything, and almost breaks Bianca Belair’s body in two over a trash can as soon as she gets in the ring. Ouch.

NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray is out and also wants a million weapons. She plays into the crowd chanting for tables then leaves it under the ring, top heel work. Ripley hits a tower of doom spot on everyone but Bianca Belair, who then lands a wicked 450 splash on Ripley.

Dakota Kai, who has replaced the injured Mia Yim, is next out but DAKOTA KAI TURNS ON TEGAN NOX. DAKOTA KAI HEEL TURN ALERT. WHAT. Kai absolutely decimates Tegan Nox’s bad knees on the babyface team cage door, then attacks William Regal?! WHAT IS HAPPENING.

Shayna Baszler, still to enter the match, is laughing a lot in her cage. Kai is STILL attacking Tegan Nox. She eventually leaves the arena, Ripley devastated in the ring. Ripley attacks Baszler as she finally enters the match but is outnumbered instantly.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1198398538071232512?s=20

The commentators announce that because Kai has legged it and Nox is destroyed, WarGames officially begins at a 4-2 heel numbers advantage. LeRae and Ripley get a moment to recuperate then go off on the heels. Baszler and Ripley get LeRae and Shirai in submission moves and glare at each other from across one of the rings.

Kay Lee Ray hits a Gory Bomb on LeRae and Shirai hits a moonsault for a near fall after Ripley breaks it up. Ripley gets hair whipped by BelAir for her troubles, but Candice destroys Belair with a kendo stick. Io Shirai goes to the top of the cage, LeRae follows her and hits an avalanche poisonrana on a chasing Kay Lee Ray from the top rope. This got great quickly.

Io Shirai is still on top of the cage and hits a moonsault from the top of the cage onto LeRae and, as collateral damage, Belair. Ripley lays into Baszler with a chair. Ripley absolutely mullers a flying Kay Lee Ray with a trash can, handcuffs herself to Shayna Baszler to escape the Kirifuda Clutch and hits the Riptide onto a trash can propped up by chairs for the 1-2-3.

Result: Rhea Ripley & Candice LeRae def. Shayna Baszler, Bianca Belair, Io Shirai and Kay Lee Ray

Grade: ****1/2 (4.5 stars)

The first-ever women’s WarGames match took a little while to get going, only truly getting as personal as such a match should once Dakota Kai turned on Tegan Nox. After then, however, this was absolutely phenomenal and well-deserving of being on an NXT TakeOver. Make sure you watch this.