Team Ripley vs Team Baszler – NXT TakeOver: WarGames
Where to start? The moonsault from the top of the cage? The handcuffs spot? The heel turn? The whole thing? This match was just great as the women of NXT gave us a match for the ages in the first-ever women’s WarGames match.
Tensions reached boiling point after weeks of deep-seated rivalry came to a head and an all-out brawl broke out involving many of NXT’s top female Superstars. The battle was only ceased when NXT GM, William Regal roared WarGames the only way he can and the crowd went wild.
Shayna Baszler and Rhea Ripley were named team captains and they chose their teams. Bianca Belair and Io Sharai were chosen for Team Baszler and Tegan Nox and Candice LaRae for Team Ripley.
Two places remained on either side and a guessing game ensued as to who might fill them. Dakota Kai would have to prove her worth to earn her place on Team Ripley by defeating Shayna Baszler. Kai would put on a gutsy performance but would fall to Baszler’s Kirifuda Clutch. After the match, another brawl would break out involving the two teams. Mia Yim would seize the opportunity to get involved by taking out Team Baszler with a Kendo Stick and would take the fourth and final spot in Team Ripley.
Team Baszler would be complete the following week when Kay Lee Ray would interfere in Io Sharai and Mia Yim’s brutal ladder match.
There would be a further twist as to begin the PPV Mia Yim was taken out by an unknown assailant and therefore unable to take part in the match later in the night. Dakota Kai who was coincidently close to the scene was named as her replacement.
The teams were picked, the match was set and history was to be made.
The match was beautiful chaos, awash with weapons and insane spots were in abundance. All eight performers played their parts perfectly and in spectacular fashion.
