Opening Segment: Keith Lee vs. Fidel Bravo

Keith Lee had a lot of fun in this quick match. Nailed Bravo with the big, double-handed slap in the corner. Bravo couldn’t muster any offense against him. Flying crossbody, then a jackhammer for the win.

Winner: Keith Lee via pinfall in 2 minutes

1 cool point for Keith Lee who just oozed charisma throughout this match. Kept the mood light, but make no mistake, this guy’s combination of power and agility is dangerous!

A WarGames II recap of the 2 out of 3 falls match for the nXt Women’s Championship is shown.
Later that night, Cathy Kelley interviewed Baszler, alongside Marina and Jessamyn. Baszler said she is the most dominant woman in the division. She’s walking out of WarGames very confidently; no one can stop them.

Second Segment: Matt Riddle’s Takeover Debut

One of the songs for Takeover: WarGames was “Mariana Trench” by Nita Strauss.

A recap of the nXt Takeover: WarGames pre-show is shown when Kassius Ohno interrupted the nXt panel’s interview with Matt Riddle. Ohno said it would take one second to expose him. Riddle says he used to think Ohno was cool. Now he just thinks Ohno is bitter.
Later that night, Riddle agreed to Ohno’s request for a match and defeated Ohno with a knee strike within seconds of the bell ringing.

In a post-match interview, we find out he has the quickest unscheduled victory in Takeover history. Riddle says that is the cherry on top of a great night.

Lars Sullivan vs. Keita Murray

Sullivan’s out from the gate in a hurry, tossing Murray like a bag of cow manure on to the back of a half-ton. Lariat, followed by the Freak Accident. 1-2-3.

Winner: Lars Sullivan via pinfall in 1 minute

Post-match, Sullivan gets on the mic as he watches Murray struggling with the pain of that encounter. He says that’s a warning and an example of what will happen until he gets an nXt Championship match. Just to make sure his point is registered…
Sullivan puts the mic down, turns back to Murray, and begins beating up on Murray some more. He’s about to give him another Freak Accident when Keith Lee rushes down. Lee tackles Sullivan out of the ring and the two stare one another down.

0 cool points for this squash, but it’s pretty exciting to see Lee defend Murray. A match between those 2 beasts, Sullivan and Lee, would be quite a sight to see.

Third Segment: WarGames Recap

A recap of Aleister Black vs. Johnny Gargano’s match at Takeover: WarGames is shown, with exclusive footage. Black comes away with the victory, absolving Gargano of his sins. Post-match, Black is asked a few questions but he doesn’t respond. He comes across Candice LeRae backstage and the two stare at one another silently.

One of the songs for Takeover: WarGames was “Wonderful Life” by Bring Me The Horizon.

A recap of nXt Champion Tommaso Ciampa vs. Velveteen Dream at Takeover: WarGames is shown. Ciampa retains the title in what was a compelling match.

Fourth Segment: WarGames II Recap

Backstage, the arguing between Keith Lee and Lars Sullivan continues, and the two challenge each other to a match next week. nXt General Manager William Regal made it official.

A recap of the WarGames match between the Undisputed Era vs. War Raiders, Ricochet (NAc) and Pete Dunne (UKc) is shown. The Undisputed Era had the early advantage (and their own branded steel chairs), but things evened out once Pete Dunne was freed from his cage. An amazing tower of doom was capped off by a DOUBLE MOONSAULT by Ricochet, which took out everybody in the match again.

After this reset, all 8 men began brawling in between both rings and the match continued. Dunne and Ricochet cover Adam Cole to get the win in WarGames.

Final Segment: Nikki Cross vs. Candice LeRae

Highlights include:

Cross laughing at LeRae to start the match.
Cross ties up LeRae in the ringskirt and pummels her with fists. Cool counter by LeRae when she’s rolled back into the ring. LeRae just spun around and nailed Cross with a kick to the face.
Beauty dropkick by LeRae to get a 2 count on Cross. Cross goes for the bulldog. Blocked by LeRae. She follows that up with a running back elbow, snapmare and then a step-up senton!

UnPrettier by LeRae but she doesn’t cover. She goes for the springboard moonsault, but Cross rolls out of the way. She nails LeRae with the Purge. 1-2-….NO! LeRae kicks out. No one’s kicked out of that move before.

Cross lifts LeRae on to the top turnbuckle. They exchange punches. Cross meets LeRae on the second rope. Sunset flip power…no. Cross resists. Jump up Avalanche German suplex!!! Whoa. 1-2- kickout by Cross.

Cross begins laughing and LeRae looks confused. She lets loose with slaps and punches, and Cross is helpless to stop them in the corner. Knees to the face drop Cross to the mat.

LeRae applies the Mrs. Garga-No Escape. Cross claws and drags her way to the rope, touching it with her foot to break the count.

Cross lifts LeRae laterally, bouncing LeRae’s legs on to the top rope. Twisting neckbreaker! 1-2-3.

Winner: Nikki Cross via pinfall in 7 minutes

One cool point for both women. LeRae shows off more of her diverse offense, especially that avalanche German Suplex. Cross wins, but definitely looked a little overwhelmed at times. Love her willingness to get beat up in order to win though. There’s really no way of winning the mental game against Cross. Equal parts laughter and serious, Cross made the most of her opportunity to get the win.

Here are my Takeover: WarGames predictions:
War Raiders, Ricochet (NAc) & Pete Dunne (UKc) def. Undisputed Era in WarGames
Tommaso Ciampa (c) def. Velveteen Dream
Shayna Baszler (c) def. Kairi Sane (2 out of 3 Falls)
Aleister Black def. Johnny Gargano

Gotta love that 4/4, and Riddle/Ohno wasn’t even supposed to happen.
What are your cool point suggestions from tonight’s show? What are your Takeover thoughts, likes, and dislikes? I think it was better than last year’s event, and should hold up as a top event of 2018. Type them out below in the comments section.
Peace!!
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