Match Predictions and Heat Index Anticipation Levels
Temperature Scale = Scorching > Hot > Lukewarm > Temperate > Chilly > Cold > Freezing
Heat Index is my assessment of how interesting the segment is, including how excited I am for the match and how intriguing the feud has been. The hotter, the better. Scorching translates to not being able to wait to see it, while Freezing means I couldn’t possibly care less and think it will be awful.
WARGAMES MATCH:
The Undisputed ERA vs. Pat McAfee, Danny Burch, Oney Lorcan and Pete Dunne
Heat Index = Scorching
Prediction: The Undisputed ERA wins.
Thoughts: These matches are always so, so good. How can I be anything but 10/10 pumped for it? Burch, Lorcan and Dunne are certainly going to hold their own in this, too, and McAfee was one of the biggest shocks of the year for how great he did against Adam Cole. This is going to kick so much ass. Part of me says Pat’s guys win so Dunne can be Finn Balor’s next challenger, but I’ll go with TUE since this is one of their matches.
WARGAMES MATCH:
Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez and Toni Storm vs. Shotzi Blackheart, Ember Moon, Io Shirai and Rhea Ripley
Heat Index = Scorching
Prediction: Team Shotzi wins.
Thoughts: The women’s WarGames match last year was arguably even better than the men’s. With this crop of talent, there’s a ton of potential to steal the show again, too. I don’t think it will beat out the men’s this year, but it should be great. Let’s give the win to the babyfaces so they can get a modicum of revenge for recent attacks like Candice destroying Shotzi’s tank.
NXT NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Leon Ruff (c) vs. Damian Priest vs. Johnny Gargano
Heat Index = Lukewarm
Prediction: Johnny Gargano wins.
Thoughts: Outside of the initial shock factor, I don’t have much interest in Leon Ruff as North American champion. I hope he drops the title here or the next NXT episode (to someone like Austin Theory). If here, Priest would be my preferred option so Gargano can maybe even move up to the main roster in 2021, but I’m cool either way. The match is either going to be rock solid or it’ll be overbooked to revolve around Ruff being out of his element. I’m on the fence about it.
STRAP MATCH:
Cameron Grimes vs. Dexter Lumis
Heat Index = Temperate
Prediction: Dexter Lumis wins.
Thoughts: I’ve been entertained by this feud, but I don’t think this was the best method they should have gone with. The Haunted House of Terror match was much more interesting than the blindfold match and now, the strap match will be kind of bland, too. Still, I can’t hate on it too much. I’m still interested and I like these two. Win goes to Lumis so the feud can officially end.
SINGLES MATCH:
Timothy Thatcher vs. Tommaso Ciampa
Heat Index = Lukewarm
Prediction: Tommaso Ciampa wins.
Thoughts: When last we saw them, Ciampa was choked out by Thatcher. Given Thatcher’s tendency to lose his bigger matches, I think that means we’re seeing Ciampa get the win. However, I think it would mean considerably more if he cheated and beat Ciampa. Between the two, Ciampa can take the hit better while Thatcher has more to gain in comparison. I’m excited for the match, but not anywhere near on the same level as the WarGames matches, naturally.
OVERALL PPV:
How excited am I for the event as a whole?
Heat Index = Hot
Thoughts: The two cage matches should be fantastic, albeit not as good as before since there isn’t a proper crowd. The rest have a chance to be good, too, but I don’t think will be utterly amazing. All in all, I’m definitely excited for this. I’m not expecting it to be my PPV of the Year, but I do anticipate having a great time watching it, for the most part.
What do you think is going to happen at WWE NXT TakeOver: WarGames? Which matches are you most excited to see? Keep the discussion going in the comments below!
