Smark Out Moment

Welcome to another edition of Triple Threat from Smark Out Moment, where three of us get together to discuss three questions based on one big topic going down in the week of professional wrestling.

This week, Dallas Allsopp, Robert DeFelice and Matt Morgan preview the 2020 edition of NXT TakeOver: WarGames.

NXT TakeOver: WarGames is usually one of the best pay-per-view events of the year, and this year's offering should be no different. It is interesting to see The Undisputed Era presented as faces this year, with Pat McAfee's involvement creating a high sense of anticipation.


ALLSOPP: I would love to see The Kings of NXT take the victory here, mainly due to the fact it would validate their threat by beating The Undisputed Era in what is arguably their signature match. Pat McAfee has been a revelation, whilst Pete Dunne appears to be on track to dominate WWE for decades to come. It would also be the perfect opportunity for The Undisputed Era to move up to the main roster, but I'm sick and tired of suggesting this. If it happens, great. If it doesn't, then at least NXT would be the ultimate beneficiary. I'm calling this match for The Kings of NXT.

DeFELICE: I don't know if this one necessarily comes down to anything being beneficial. I believe that this is truly just a spectacle for the sake of WarGames. It will be nice to see Adam Cole and company pick up another victory in the match that they have helped define as a staple of modern NXT, and because of the talent in this match, it could be my favorite WarGames from NXT to date.

MORGAN: This match seems like an opportune way to effectively end the feud between Adam Cole and Pat McAfee. Based on the history of both factions, I can’t see The Undisputed Era losing. Especially since The Kings of NXT seems like a makeshift faction that was not supposed to be around for long. Even if The Undisputed Era wins, I feel like all eight men can benefit from this match. The Undisputed Era gets the chance to re-establish their dominance, whilst Pete Dunne, Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan all have the opportunity to soak up some main event spotlight. And Pat McAfee has the chance to have another breakout performance like he did at Takeover: XXX.


DeFELICE: Fundamentally, I have a problem with the build to this particular match, and I feel that it is a less-than-stellar way to set up a major match for a pay-per-view event because you have decided that you need to have women compete inside WarGames. Pettiness aside in that regard, the talent in this match will be tremendous, and it could very well be one of the last things that Rhea Ripley does in NXT. I'm looking forward to seeing what these eight women (and Indi Hartwell on the outside, probably) concoct for their matchup. Next year, however, I hope the build to the women's WarGames means a little bit more. Personally, I believe it will be a feud-ending match by default, and because it is WarGames, the babyface team must win. I, for one, am more interested in seeing how the NXT Women's Championship picture continues to evolve after this event.

MORGAN: I hope that this match isn’t a feud ender for Candice LeRae and Shotzi Blackheart. I would rather see those two settle their differences in a one-on-one match, especially considering the fact that LeRae and Blackhart’s feud has grown more personal in recent weeks. A one-on-one match allows more focus to be placed solely on LeRae and Blackheart, as opposed to all eight competitors. That being said, this match has the potential to be exceptional and an absolute show stealer. I am hoping to see LeRae’s team earn the victory.

ALLSOPP: If the feud between Candice LeRae and Shotzi Blackheart is to truly end, LeRae needs to once again come out on top. I cannot, however, see that being the case. In Blackheart, NXT has a fine option to succeed Io Shirai as NXT Women's Champion, therefore the ideal scenario would be for Team Blackheart to win, with LeRae once challenging her for the title once she wins it. This is all wishful thinking, but it is what makes most sense to me. I'm calling this match in favour of Team Blackheart.


MORGAN: Leon Ruff should definitely retain the NXT North American Championship this Sunday. Johnny Gargano and Damien Priest are established talents on the NXT brand, and both men can easily add to the overall prestige of the NXT North American Championship. However, I strongly agree with the points made by Robert. Having Ruff as a champion is something that is fresh and new, which is always nice to see. If Ruff retains, he can hopefully continue to work towards proving that he is someone who should be taken seriously.

ALLSOPP: I'm unsure as to what the end game is with Leon Ruff. Whilst it is true he has been a breath of fresh air with the NXT North American Championship, I feel the prestige of the title has been sullied. This is not to say that he doesn't deserve it, but the manner in which he won the title was disappointing. I believe he will retain, but I'd much rather see Damien Priest regain the title.

DeFELICE: Leon Ruff has been such a pleasant surprise in the last month. I see no reason that his ride should end here, but I do see him getting another fluke victory when both of the other competitors knock each other out and he manages to call for the pin. Do I think that the title would have benefited from a longer Johnny Gargano or Damien Priest reign? Absolutely! However, the NXT brand needed something fresh and surprising which makes Leon Ruff as NXT North American Champion the perfect angle to continue going into 2021.