NXT TakeOver WarGames II: 8 Things It Got Right

by Jamie Kennedy

1. Reverting To Classic War Games Rules

NXT Takeover WarGames II
WWE.com

So was reverting to the classic WarGames layout.

In 2017, the first NXT reprise lacked the traditional format of heels having the constant numbers advantage over the babyfaces. WWE put that right this year, and they even found time to make The Undisputed Era look like The Four Horsemen in their prime by locking Pete Dunne in his mini-cage so they could beat down his friends four on three.

It was smart of the company to book a Hanson loss to Kyle O'Reilly on recent NXT tapings and explain this as the reason why Undisputed held the cards. Of course, this classic storytelling comes with some shortcomings; namely, the match can't end before all eight men are involved, meaning it's wrestling for wrestling's sake.

Regardless of that small nuisance, it was necessary. This should now be the template that every WWE-promoted WarGames match follows, and it should never go back to being anything other than dirtbag heels vs. brave babyfaces.

Dusty Rhodes would have been proud.

What else do you think WWE got right at NXT Takeover: WarGames II? Let us know down in the comments!

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Contributor

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.