Ranking every match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020

Tommaso Ciampa's win over Timothy Thatcher stood out as one of the best matches on the NXT TakeOver: WarGames card.

#2 Team Shotzi vs. Team Candice - Women's WarGames Match (NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020)

THAT WAS AWESOME from @shirai_io!!! 😲😲😲#NXTTakeOver #WarGames pic.twitter.com/TJai02jSoR
— WWE (@WWE) December 7, 2020

Expand Tweet

What a way to kick off the show. The second-ever Women's WarGames match was a beautiful portrayal of what is the absolute best women's division in North American wrestling. The eight women that were involved are all top notch and could carry the brand in their own right.

The opening match to NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020 produced so many memorable spots and brutality for over 35 minutes. From Io Shirai's amazing dive off the top of the steel cage with a garbage can over her head, to Ember Moon's brutal Eclipse onto two chairs, it was a stellar effort from the ladies of the black and gold brand.

Will John Cena beat Ric Flair's record? A former WCW Champion thinks so HERE

Take a seat, @DakotaKai_WWE. 🔥 #Eclipse #WarGames #NXTTakeOver @WWEEmberMoon pic.twitter.com/ykFJEHge3g
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) December 7, 2020

Expand Tweet

In particular, Raquel Gonzalez and Rhea Ripley stood out among the other competitors in the bout. Their exchanges delivered crowd-pleasing action that had a big fight feel. The two hardhitters of their individual teams beat down the other Superstars, while giving each other an equal obstacle to overcome.

The final sequence of spots, with Shotzi Blackheart's senton off the ladder onto Candice LaRae and Raquel's one arm slam through a ladder on Io Shirai gave us breathtaking moments to close this WarGames encounter.

The booking of the babyfaces having the advantage handcuffed the storytelling in this opener, but it was still a thrilling ride to kick off the show.

Edited by Alex Turk