8 Secrets We Learned From WWE's Leaked NXT TakeOver Script

3. An Impossible War Games Runtime

Shawn Michaels NXT Script
WWE.com

If you thought the listed Matt Riddle vs. Kassius Ohno runtime was ridiculous, get this: Ranallo's script has the War Games main event down for 20 minutes.

This is literally an impossible number. WWE's version of the stipulation dictates that the first two entrants have five minutes to wrestle alone, before additional participants start flooding in on three-minute intervals. That means 23 have already passed by the time the old 'Match Beyond' even commences. Knowing that, it's difficult to tell what, exactly, the person that put this runsheet together was thinking.

War Games ended up going for 47:10 in total. The listed 20 could conceivably refer to the intended runtime after the final entrant, Pete Dunne, had arrived in the cage, but this would still mean a 4:10 overrun. Not a major problem with a company that broadcasts via its own streaming service, but TakeOver didn't use the full three hours it had been allotted on the Network beforehand. This doesn't add up.

What's most likely is that WWE listed 20 minutes here just to f*ck with people in the event of a leak, much like the opener. Speculate away, though...

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.