NXT TakeOver WarGames II: 8 Things It Got Right

6. Giving The Two Out Of Three Falls Match The ‘Opening’ Spotlight

Shayna Baszler Kairi Sane Jessamyn Duke
WWE.com

OK, so Shayna Baszler vs. Kairi Sane technically wasn't TakeOver: WarGames II's opening match, but it was treated as such by the announcers following Matt Riddle's coming out party in WWE. Mauro's line about 'getting back to the scheduled matters at hand' spelled out the fact that this NXT Women's Title bout was the true card kick off.

You won't be surprised to learn it was another blistering battle.

Any match carrying the best Two Out Of Three Fall stip has a job on its hands to keep fans invested. Everyone knows that, with few exceptions, the match will go 1-1 before the pace quickens for a tiebreaker. Although this did go level before Baszler's win, the speed was there from the off. Everyone involved can be proud for mixing up the standard formula.

This was women's wrestling like the main roster rarely sees these days. Hard-hitting strikes, impassioned roars and facial expressions a-go-go, drama stemming from outside influences and a realistic, real-fight feel that sold the competitive spirit between champ and challenger were all hallmarks.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.