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NXT TakeOver: WarGames is usually one of the most anticipated events of the year. The titular match has been consistently one of the highlights of the Black and Gold brand's calendar year, providing countless memorable moments. From awe-inspiring spots from the top of the steel cage to star-making performances, this TakeOver has guaranteed a night to remember.
This year, fans will once again witness two action-packed WarGames matches from the men and women of the NXT brand. NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020 will also feature a triple threat North American title match, a first time one on one contest, and a Strap Match between bitter rivals. There is something for almost every wrestling fan on this night.
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With a few bouts months in the making, this has been one of the meticulously built TakeOver cards of 2020. In this article, let's rank the buildup to every match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020.
#5 Dexter Lumis vs. Cameron Grimes in a Strap Match (NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020)
This feud has been properly bonkers. When Cameron Grimes drew the ire of Dexter Lumis, no one could have expected the ridiculousness ahead for these two rivals. The two men's first showdown was the Haunted House of Terror Match at NXT Halloween Havoc. With zombies and chase scenes, this was by far the most outrageous sight seen on the NXT brand this year.
Grimes has been entertaining with his comedic reactions to the frightening eyes of Lumis, but it is arguable that this feud peaked at the aforementioned first meeting. Since then, fans have seen a criticized Blindfold Match and more gimmicked attacks from both individuals. At NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020, they will face each other in a Strap Match.
Outside of the humorous antics of Cameron Grimes, this rivalry has lacked in substance. Although there has been some enjoyable moments, it doesn't negate the overall feeling that both men deserve a lot more. Lumis has not been the most convincing babyface, while Grimes' talent far exceeds what he has been given over the last few weeks.
#4 Tommaso Ciampa vs. Timothy Thatcher (NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020)
Tommaso Ciampa has been one of the biggest stars for the NXT brand over the past four years. His performances at TakeOver have been considered some of the greatest in the event's history. At NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020, Ciampa looks to add his lengthy legacy in a first-time encounter against Timothy Thatcher.
The Blackheart wanted to pick a fight with the newer Black and Gold brand talent, who he said were wannabe tough guys. After Thatcher defeated and looked to humiliate his former student, August Grey, Ciampa came out to confront the submission grappler and challenged him to a fight.
Over the past few weeks, Ciampa has looked to provoke Thatcher even distracting him, leading to his submission loss to KUSHIDA. Thatcher would gain a measure of revenge on the go-home show to TakeOver: WarGames by laying out Ciampa with a choke thanks to help from his newest student, Russ Taylor.
This is an intriguing first-time battle that is sure to be a banger. The relatively short buildup is the only thing that keeps this from being higher on the list. However, it has to be considered a surefire candidate to be match of the night for NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020.
#3 Leon Ruff vs. Damien Priest vs. Johnny Gargano in a Triple Threat Match for the North American Championship (NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020)
In one of the biggest upsets in the Black and Gold brand's history, Leon Ruff defeated Johnny Gargano to win the North American Championship on the November 11, 2020 episode of WWE NXT. In large part thanks to Damien Priest, the former EVOLVE star has kept the title over the past few weeks, but he now faces his toughest challenge yet at NXT TakeOver: WarGames.
Facing two former champions whose rivalry has spanned the past three months, Ruff is sure to face overwhelming odds in this Triple Threat Match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames. Johnny Gargano is a former two-time North American Champion and the most decorated Superstar in NXT history. Damien Priest is a former North American Champion as well and a formidable test for any competitor.
This story started off with comedy, but it has developed to a much more flushed out tale of overcoming perception. Ruff has showed both passion and likability in a quest to not be considered a joke by Priest, Gargano, and the NXT Universe. At NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020, it will be his toughest challenge trying to defeat two past champs and retain his title.
Johnny Gargano will be looking to reverse his luck that has seen him fail to ever defend any of the NXT gold he has won and become the first three-time North American Champion at TakeOver: WarGames. Damien Priest looks to regain the title that Gargano stole from him at Halloween Havoc. This has been a layered feud that has allowed the viewers to understand the motivations of all the competitors involved.
#2 Team Shotzi vs. Team Candice in the Women's WarGames Match (NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020)
The Women's WarGames Match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020 may have a better lineup of Superstars than its predecessor. This feud started with Shotzi Blackheart helping Io Shirai in her successful defense of the NXT Women's Championship over Candice LeRae in a Tables, Ladders, and Scares Match at Halloween Havoc. From there, LeRae looked to get vengeance on Blackheart.
Her revenge came in the form of running over the signature tank of Blackheart to her distraught reaction. Blackheart then made the challenge for NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020. LeRae recruited Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez for her team. After her shocking heel turn on Ember Moon, Toni Storm soon completed this team.
Team Candice made their presence known by attacking both Rhea Ripley and Shirai. This led to Shotzi Blackheart being joined by Ember Moon and Rhea Ripley. In the ladder match to determine the WarGames advantage, the NXT Women's Champion made her intentions known and joined Team Shotzi as well by assisting Blackheart to victory.
With eight of the best Superstars in the women's division, this will surely deliver a thrilling battle that will be filled of masterful performances. Rhea Ripley and Candice LeRae's victory as a team last year should come into play and be an crucial part of the story. This has been a compelling feud so far and will likely give us a pleasing payoff at NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020.
#1 Undisputed Era vs. Kings of NXT in the Men's WarGames Match (NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020)
Pat McAfee and his crew have run roughshod over the Black and Gold brand over the past few months. McAfee made his in-ring debut at TakeOver: XXX in a loss to Adam Cole. Since that loss, he has made the members of Undisputed Era's lives a living hell on the way to NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020.
He first paid off Ridge Holland to take out Cole at TakeOver: 31. He followed that up by attacking Bobby Fish and Roderick Strong, which took them out of their scheduled NXT tag team titles opportunity. Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan took their place and were helped by McAfee to win the titles over Breezango. Finally, Pete Dunne returned to the Black and Gold brand to turn heel on Kyle O'Reilly at Halloween Havoc and complete the group known as The Kings of NXT.
This rulebreaking foursome wanted to add NXT Champion Finn Balor to their list of victims, but The Undisputed Era made their return after weeks away on the November 18, 2020 episode of WWE NXT. The brawl that ensued led to General Manager William Regal putting all eight men in the Men's WarGames Match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020.
This collision has months of story invested into it and has provided a few twists and turns along the way. Pat McAfee has consistently been the best talker and most detestable heel on the brand, while the turns of Burch, Lorcan, and Dunne have elevated all three men to this main event clash.
This match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames could be the last big-time match for The Undisputed Era on the Black and Gold brand. It is only appropriate that it happens in the stipulation that they have been synonymous with ever since its return. NXT TakeOver: WarGames will be an event with plenty of excellent action, but this is by far the best rivalry and buildup heading into the night.
