5 Possibilities for the final member of Team Shayna at NXT Takeover: WarGames

The upcoming third annual installment of NXT Takeover: WarGames has all the components it needs to make it the best in the series to-date. The event, which takes place Saturday, November 23rd, will feature not just one, but two, of the iconic WarGames match-ups.

On top of the battle between Team Ciampa and The Undisputed Era, we are set to see the women of NXT step foot inside the sadistic structure for the first time.

Rhea Ripley and NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler will captain a team of four respectively, with Team Ripley already set in stone having recruited Candice LeRae, Tegan Nox and Mia Yim to fight alongside her.

On the other hand, while the Queen of Spades has chosen Io Shirai and Bianca Belair as her teammates, one place remains open on her quartet.

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So here are five possible choices for the final member of Team Baszler at NXT Takeover: WarGames.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article belong to the writer and doesn't necessarily represent Sportskeeda's stand.

#5 One of Jessamyn Duke or Marina Shafir

Given the fact they have stood side-by-side with the NXT Women's Champion for just over a year, it is a surprise that Duke and Shafir are yet to secure a place on her WarGames team.

Truth be told, the pair are yet to sight the world alight so far since their transition from MMA. Whilst the likes of Baszler and Ronda Rousey took to the sport like a moth to a flame, Duke and Shafir have been slower in picking up the art of professional wrestling, lacking the fluidity of their more accomplished compadres.

Regardless, it still isn't out of the question that Baszler goes with someone she knows and can trust. Having feuded with just about everyone currently plying their trade in NXT, that list is rather short, so Duke and Shafir would be the logical options.

Of the two, I feel as though Shafir is the more trusted hand. Who knows, she may have picked up some tips from her real-life husband Roderick Strong, who has competed in both NXT WarGames matches to-date.

#4 Taynara

The Brazilian Judo specialist has certainly had to bide her time in WWE.

Having competed in the first Mae Young Classic back in 2017, Taynara has been used sparingly on NXT ever since. In that time, however, she has made vast improvements to her in-ring game.

Management appears to have taken notice of this, having given her more screen time since NXT's move to the USA Network in September.

Despite coming up short against both members of Team Kick in recent weeks, Taynara scored an impressive victory this past Wednesday against Santana Garrett.

What was interesting about that contest was that commentary played up throughout the contest that both competitors were out to impress both Ripley and Baszler, suggesting that Taynara is right in the mix.

She would certainly bring a different dynamic to the match as opposed to other established female NXT talent such as Aliyah or Vanessa Bourne.

Her proficiency is not just Judo, but Jiu-Jitsu will see her mesh well with the skilled MMA fighter that is Baszler.

Given that the other seven Superstars in the match are already pretty well accomplished, this could be WWE's chance to build a new talent in the form of the Brazilian, as well as create some future mid-card feuds in the division.

#3 Dakota Kai

When the WarGames match was announced two weeks ago, you'd have bet your house on Dakota Kai being a part of Team Ripley.

Having unsuccessfully challenged for the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles alongside Tegan Nox, the pair were attacked by Baszler, Duke and Shafir in what turned into a division-wide brawl.

So when it came to Ripley announcing her teammates on WWE Bump, many fans were shocked to see Kai excluded, with her place seemingly on the line against Baszler.

It appeared though that Kai failed to impress Ripley, who chose to give the final place on her team to Mia Yim - a decision which visibly distressed Kai.

Now, given the fact that Baszler loves to stir the pot to no end, it is a distinct possibility that she could try and gain the psychological edge and recruit Kai into her team.

Making this move could lead to a couple of long term benefits down the line for NXT. There is the obvious possibility that Kai could turn on her friends by embracing the hate alongside Baszler.

Whilst the thought of a Kai vs Nox feud is mouth-watering, a better piece of storytelling would be for Kai to cost Team Baszler the match from the inside. In doing this, it would put her in pole position to be the person to finally dethrone Baszler, ending a vicious two-year cycle between the pair leading all the way back to the Submission Magician's 2018 feud with Ember Moon.

#2 Sarah Logan

The recent return to NXT of Finn Balor has opened the door for many other main roster stars to make Full Sail their home.

The possibilities are endless with many not getting used to their full potential on either RAW or SmackDown. Whilst names like Cesaro and Luke Harper are often mentioned, there is one forgotten face on the women's roster who'd be perfect for WarGames.

Sarah Logan has rarely been seen on WWE TV after the company surprisingly decided to split up The Riott Squad in the April 2019 Superstar ShakeUp. It was particularly surprising given that a push for her was teased when she came second in the pre-show Women's Battle Royal at WrestleMania 35.

I believe that Logan would definitely be in her element if chosen to be on Team Baszler. Anyone who has seen her pre-WWE work on the independent scene as Crazy Mary Dobson will know just how insane she can be.

She has competed in death matches all across the world, including against the likes of AEW's Jimmy Havoc.

We have yet to see this side of Logan in WWE, with the company instead focusing on her Viking hertiage.

Given the barbaric nature of WarGames, it would be great if this could showcase the other side of Logan that suits her to a tee.

#1 Ronda Rousey

Whilst definitely a left-field pick, it would create quite a buzz.

As we saw on the latest edition of RAW, Baszler made references to her well-known links with The Baddest Woman on the Planet during her face-off with Becky Lynch.

Baszler and Rousey were once training mates during their time competing in MMA and are good friends outside the ring - making up one-half of the famed Four Horsewomen of MMA.

We haven't seen Rousey since she lost the RAW Women's Championship in the main event of WrestleMania 35, but it would make some sense if WWE decided to use her in NXT if she was to return.

With NXT being on the USA Network, having someone with the mainstream appeal of Rousey appear weekly on NXT would do wonders for viewer figures.

Not just that, she could be used in a prominent role in the accompanying storyline leading into Survivor Series between NXT, RAW and SmackDown. Rousey's past conflicts with Charlotte Flair and Lynch could provide the Black and Gold Brand with a mental edge, as well as potentially resulting in a rematch from last year's event with Flair. As well as that, this could finally plant the seeds for the long-awaited Horsewomen vs Horsewomen clash.

In terms of the WarGames match itself, we alluded earlier that Baszler may prefer to have someone she trusts alongside her, and there is arguably no one she trusts more than Rousey. As unlikely as it is to happen, it would provide the TakeOver event with a massive boost.

Edited by Alan John