Welcome to another edition of WWE Heat Index, wherein we discuss the interest level for the various feuds heading into the pay-per-view events. This time around, we’re focusing on NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2019 coming this Saturday night.
The way this works is a pretty simple three-way breakdown of Hot, Lukewarm and Cold. If you like something and you’re very interested in how WWE is setting up the program, it’s Hot (aka Good). If you’re a bit on the fence about it and see some problems, but it’s not awful, then it’s just Okay or Lukewarm. The ones that are the most problematic that you have no interest in are Cold (aka Bad).
Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section to let everyone know what your thermometer reads for each feud as I tell you what my thoughts are below!
Without further ado, let’s get started!
Men’s WarGames Match = Hot
WarGames isn’t my favorite gimmick out there, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a lot of fun. It’s an easy Hot, as it’s just a bunch of talented people all in two rings together with not a lot of rules to get in the way.
There isn’t a lot to unpack here. I’m a fan of everyone in the match, save for potentially the “epic” surprise person (but that’s also intriguing) so there’s no reason for me to not be hyped.
I would be very surprised if this wasn’t my favorite match of the night, as well as possibly my favorite of the whole weekend.
Prediction: Team Ciampa wins.
Women’s WarGames Match = Hot
Again, WarGames is a fun concept and it’s hard to not be excited about something like this. I do feel like this one doesn’t have as much going for it as the men’s, though.
I’m not fond of Kay Lee Ray and I think it’s very flawed that Jessamyn Duke, Marina Shafir and Dakota Kai are on the outs. I’m hoping those three and Toni Storm get in on the action and that’s the justification for them not being in the match.
But no matter what problems I have with the way they got to the teams, this should still be good.
Prediction: Team Baszler wins.
Matt Riddle vs. Finn Balor = Lukewarm
It’s pretty clear the original intention was to go with Johnny Gargano, but his neck injury forced WWE to change plans. Whether it’s okay or not to judge this based on that, I still find myself feeling negative about it, knowing it’s a replacement match that was rushed.
Part of me thinks this will steal the show. Another, bigger part of me thinks Balor’s shtick since coming to NXT hasn’t been all that good and that this match will expose more flaws in that.
Prediction: Finn Balor wins.
Triple Threat: Killian Dain vs. Pete Dunne vs. Damian Priest = Lukewarm
It took them 3 attempts to get it right on the website, but they finally made the right call. Good on WWE for not only going with the most logical match setup here, given the fights that have been happening between the three, but also adding some stakes.
Making this a No. 1 contender match does make it easier to predict, but I’m okay with that. I had figured Dunne would probably win anyway and this makes it mean something.
The match itself should be good, but it won’t steal the show for this weekend.
Prediction: Pete Dunne wins.
Those are my thoughts, but how do you feel about these particular feuds? What’s hot and what’s cold in your mind? Fill us in on your point of view in the comments below!
