Folks, believe it or not we are just days away from what is quickly becoming a tradition. The second annual NXT TakeOver: WarGames is just about here, and all signs are pointing to the second edition doing the revival justice. The card appears to be going for the quality over quantity approach, as we are expecting just four matches , but they are good ones. Tonight’s go home show answers the final piece of the WarGames question. As announced last week, the two sides will have a match on the show to determine which team gains the advantage in The Match Beyond. Without any further delay, let’s crack open this Nutshell, because…next stop…WarGames!
Best Match of the night:
With a limited card, this becomes slightly easier. Tonight was no different. We only had a few matches, but the main event was indeed the best one. Tonight’s match pitted members of the rival WarGames squads against each other, in order to determine which team would enjoy the advantage on Saturday. We got Hanson from the War Raiders going up against Undisputed Era’s Kyle O’Reilly. The match did end up involving basically everyone who will be in Saturday’s match, and it provided great action.
Worst match of the night:
I wasn’t overly enthused with Lacey Evans and her match. We opened with a strong women’s match and closed with a strong main event…but the middle was kind of lacking. In Lacey’s defense, she was working against a jobber, so the expectations for the match were low.
Crowd Chants of the Night:
EST
Let’s go Mia
Star of the Night
All involved with the main event. It was good, it served it’s purpose, and if you weren’t already excited for WarGames, you should be now.
Spot of the Night:
I won’t single out one spot, but I will say this: Ricochet can fly, and we know it. Hanson can too, even though you wouldn’t think.
Jobber of the Night:
This has to go to Karissa Rivera.
Noteworthy Moment:
Bianca Belair wins again, extending her undefeated streak in NXT. And, yet again, I just can’t get into her character.
Kyle O’Reilly wins the WarGames Advantage match for his team, meaning they get the early numbers advantages.
Kassius Ohno and Matt Riddle will fight next week
Overall lowlights:
Once again, not too much to complain about. A solid hour of NXT television, the Evans-Rivera match notwithstanding.
Overall highlights:
Strong video package for the Gargano/Black match. NXT does a really good job with these, they have for a while.
Can’t say enough good things about the main event. It really hit on all the major items to make fans want to tune in on Saturday, at least as far as I am concerned. They told a good story, they worked in all the combatants in an effective manner. Saturday is going to be exciting.
After the final bell:
Well, it’s a bit of a different take here this time.
Sometimes, things have an expiration date, and I think we may be reaching that for this iteration of the Nutshell. I don’t consider this a plea for readers, but just me being honest. I know we have a small but dedicated group who take the time to read this particular Nutshell each and every week…but the challenge is, well, we can’t get more into NXT (or, at least, not into my Nutshells of it). So, here’s where I pose it to our readers-if you want me to continue this one, I’d love to hear it in the comments. Drop me an email. Tell me what you like (or don’t like…I can take the criticism). But either way, let me know if you want this to continue next week, or if it’s time to put this one to bed.
That being said, as far as go home shows go, I think this one was a solid show. I will hopefully catch you all on Saturday as we get to sit back, relax and enjoy WarGames
Results:
Bianca Belair defeats Mia Yim
Lacey Evans dispatches Karissa Rivera
Kyle O’Reilly is victorious over Hanson, winning a WarGames Advantage for his squad on Saturday.
