9 HUGE WWE NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020 Predictions You Need To Know
3. Ripley's Deceive It Or Not
Rhea Ripley's journey to reclaiming her agency and confidence was defined by her route back to the NXT Championship.
A WrestleMania loss to Charlotte Flair was devastating for the character, and in the months that followed she struggled desperately to get her mojo back. A mini-feud with the Robert Stone Brand looked comedic on paper but turned a corner in practice. From there she worked herself back into title contention until only Champion Io Shirai awaited.
And she couldn't get it done.
Her desperate attempt to avoid losing by countout (or indeed losing at all) was her ultimate undoing - Shirai's immaculately timed moonsault was enough to put her down and out. Out of the match, and of contention. Until now. Ripley's heel turn here can change that, especially if it comes at Shirai's expense.
The match can start with Shirai and Candice LeRae but rapidly breakdown when LeRae sneaks Indi Hartwell in to help her out. The babyfaces have the advantage, so when the klaxon goes, it can be Ripley that nominates herself next to make the save...only to turn her back and walk away from the cage rather than enter.
Her cowardly betrayal will leave Shirai at the mercy of the heels with one more to come before somebody from Team Shotzi can make the save. It all begins again for Ripley from here, and ultimately sets the faces up to fail on what should have been Blackheart's big night.