NXT TakeOver WarGames Takeaways: Io Shirai’s next challenger

Pat McAfee shines again

Pat McAfee is a lightning rod for criticism, and there are plenty of things I don’t like about the former Indianapolis Colts punter.

But you know what? He just gets this pro wrestling thing.

For weeks, we have heard McAfee eviscerate anyone who has crossed him on the mic, to the point where even CM Punk tweeted high praise for McAfee’s promo work in comparison to everyone else on the NXT roster.

At NXT TakeOver WarGames, McAfee showed more of his ability in the ring off after that great match with Adam Cole that took people with surprise.

McAfee wasn’t just great with his acting as a cowardly heel “mastermind”, but he pulled off a couple of huge moves. The man had a great moonsault onto a table and hit a freaking Swanton Bomb off the top of the cage. It’s been incredible watching McAfee flourish and win people over in professional wrestling.

Damian Priest would be better as a heel

I don’t mind Damian Priest as a babyface, but the former North American Champion has a way of carrying himself that screams “heel”. The way he screamed at Leon Ruff to stay out his way before throwing the incoming champion out of the ring was exceptional, but he topped that by absolutely smashing Ruff into the Plexiglass with the Razor’s edge.

While I don’t think Priest should turn heel just yet, I do think WWE can slowly go in that direction and give Priest a heel character that will click a lot better than anything else he’s done in his career previously.

The babyface run was a good decision in the first place, since it has helped Priest as a performer in terms of finding his voice and confidence. But his ultimate upside is as a heel, perhas one operating in more of the grey area that NXT and, increasingly, the main roster are allowing.