November is usually the traditional time for NXT Takeover: War Games. The black and yellow brand revived the concept a few years ago, where two rings side by side would be surrounded by a steel cage and the match would only begin once all combatants from opposing teams entered the structure.
Since it’s inception in NXT in 2017, the Undisputed Era has participated in the match, coming up on top in the first one and losing to the team of Pete Dunne, Ricochet and the War Raiders in the second one in 2018.
While many expect the UE to be part of War Games again this year, possibly with the NXT UK stable Imperium, who have recently began to appear at Full Sail University, it may be more interesting to see this unfold instead:
In 2017, the Undisputed Era only made their debut months ago and began feuding with Sanity and (at that time) Roderick Strong, while Sanity themselves recently defeated the Authors of Pain for the NXT Tag Team Championships. All these intersecting storylines resulted in the first ever War Games match, which cemented the UE’s presence in NXT.
The same could be said for 2018, when the UE (now joined by Roderick Strong) feuded with Ricochet, War Raiders and Pete Dunne. The latter team ended up winning the War Games match (which was one of the more brutal matches NXT has put on up to that point).
What is noticeable about the buildup to the War Games match is the culmination of narratives throughout the NXT calendar year that brings together various characters into the match. As much as many would want to see an Undisputed Era vs Imperium War Games match, there’s been no development of storylines for encounters between the two teams.
NXT Champion Adam Cole is either going to be challenged by two returning former champions, Finn Balor and Tommaso Ciampa. And Imperium leader Walter is feuding with Kushida. In contrast, the women’s division is almost naturally going to conclude in a War Games match, as depicted in that Instagram post.
Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler and her compatriots, Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir (three of the MMA’s Four Horsewomen) have been on a tear through the division and making enemies of those like Bianca Belair, Mia Yim and Candace LeRae. The arrival of the first NXT UK Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley to challenge Baszler has only added to the mix.
At the same time, Io Shirai’s transformation from perky and colourful fan favourite to a more darker and sinister personality after turning on her friend LeRae and feuding with her. Minus a more natural ally in Ronda Rousey, who is busy on the main roster, Shirai would be the fourth person needed on Team Shayna.
Likewise, the four women that could oppose them have crossed swords with the Horsewomen in the past and Shirai can continue her own feud with LeRae that had developed. All the feuds that have gone on in the women’s division, whether they include the title picture or not, can only culminate in a War Games match.
With the increasing number of women’s matches across all WWE’s brands, including steel cage, Elimination Chamber and Hell in a Cell matches, having the first ever War Games match from the NXT women’s roster at this point seems like a no brainer.
An average professional doing the 9-5 grind who really loves wrestling across all platforms. Here's hoping wrestlers finally get some basic workers rights in 2021.
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