Top 20 Moments Of 2017 #15: WarGames Returns

As we wind down 2017, we will be looking back at the 20 best (and worst) moments of the year in the wrestling world. 

20. Scott Steiner’s epic press conference 

19. Sexy Star tries to break Rosemary’s arm for real.

18. JBL vs. Mauro Ranallo.

17. Asuka’s Ascendency. 

16. Roman Reigns Tries To Murder Braun Strowman

Here’s our article from November covering the announcement and explaining the origins of WarGames

WWE seems to be on a bit of a nostalgia run recently, at least when it comes to well-known WCW properties. WWE announced Starrcade would be returning as an un-televised live event in its ancestral home of Greensboro, North Carolina. They’re even bringing back iconic WCW southern tag team The Rock n Roll Express. During recent NXT tapings, WWE announced the return of one of the most iconic and beloved match formats in wrestling history. A match that tested the true mettle and resolve of the toughest men this sport has ever seen. A format made famous by Sting, The Road Warriors, Paul Heyman, The Freebirds, and the Four Horseman.

Great ready for…WarGames!

Cody Rhodes, whose father invented the format and has been critical of WWE using his father’s ideas in his absence, gave his blessing to the return.

Click through to the next page to learn about the history and the format of the Match Beyond!

What is WarGames?

Developed by Dusty Rhodes in the late 1980s for WCW, WarGames is one of the unique matches in wrestling history.

The match takes place with two rings surrounded by a steel cage.

The match starts out with two competitors from different teams and then alternating entrance between the two (or in this case three) teams until everyone is in. Then “The Match Beyond” begins. The only way to win is by submission or surrender. It was one of the more violent match formats in wrestling history. Triple H is a big fan of old-school WCW and has been trying to bring back War Games for years. It is rumored that the Battleground PPV was created in the hopes of featuring the WarGames. However, WWE announced some slight rule changes for the NXT-version.

• The three-member teams of SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe & Killian Dain), Undisputed ERA (Adam Cole, Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly), and The Authors of Pain (Akam & Rezar) & Roderick Strong will wage war inside a massive steel cage that surrounds TWO rings.
• All three teams will be contained inside separate shark cages by the entranceway, with a member from each team (as chosen by his respective squad) starting the match.
• After five minutes, the remaining members from one team will be released from their shark cage and allowed to enter the match.
• When another three-minute period elapses, the remaining members from a second team are released from their shark cage and enter the match.
• Following another three-minute period, the final team’s members are released from their shark cage and enter the match.
• Once all three teams have entered the WarGames Match, a victory can be attained via pinfall or submission.

The Three Teams Explain Their Plans For THE MATCH BEYOND

The Undisputed Era is ready.

The insanity of Wargames seems to fit sAnitY perfectly.

Paul Ellerman, the manager of The Authors of Pain, has competed in WarGames in the past.

Here’s a taste of the iconic match format.

Stone Cold, as “Stunning” Steve Austin” worked an infamous WarGames.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LyOlowP6PQ

A few years ago, WWE released a DVD of the history of the matches.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7pN3UnXn3g

There have been 31 WarGames matches. The most recent was a Triple Cage match in 2000, but I barely count that because it was gimmicked to all get-out by Vince Russo. The match was in its heyday during the late 80s and early 90s. There is a collection of the broadcasted WarGames matches on the WWE Network. Matches I would say are must watch is the 1992 WrestleWar match between Sting’s Squadron and The Dangerous Alliance and the match from The Great American Bash 1989 featuring the Road Warriors, Midnight Express, the Fabulous Freebirds, and the Samoan Swat Team.

For the NXT Takeover special taking place the Saturday before Survivor Series, it will be a three-team format featuring the Undisputed Era vs. SaNiTy vs. Authors of Pain and Roderick Strong. Should be an exciting match!

On a personal note. I love the WarGames. The matches are tremendous and the crowds hot. Expect it to be one of the more violent matches in recent memory.

Are you excited about WarGames returning? Share your thoughts in the comments below.