The legacy of WarGames dates back to the era of WCW and NWA. Fans once believed that WCW’s end also marked the end of WarGames, but the unique 2 Ring 2 Cage match was merely dormant until revived by Triple H during his tenure. WWE reintroduced this match style with their NXT brand in 2017, giving it a fresh new chapter.
To date, WWE has hosted 16 WarGames matches, which surpasses the total ever broadcast by WCW. Match quality varies, with some being standout performances and others less so. TheSportster has analyzed and rated these WWE WarGames matches, comparing them with ratings from Dave Meltzer of Cagematch.net and Wrestling Observer.
One highlight is the 2023 WWE Survivor Series women’s WarGames match featuring Damage Control with Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Shotzi, and Bianca Belair. It scored an overall 8/10 from TheSportster, praised for its strong storytelling, technical skill, and engaging character dynamics, notably the fresh alliance between Lynch and Flair and Bayley’s loyalty storyline.
Another notable match is the 2018 NXT TakeOver WarGames where The Undisputed Era faced War Raiders, Pete Dunne, and Ricochet. Rated 8.25/10, the match was a chaotic yet thrilling showcase of different wrestling styles and earned strong crowd enthusiasm despite its longer duration.
In the 2023 Survivor Series, a WarGames match featuring Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, Jey Uso, and Sami Zayn against The Judgment Day and Drew McIntyre received praise for smooth execution and compelling storytelling, highlighted by Drew McIntyre’s intense rivalry and Randy Orton’s impactful return. The match was given an 8.25/10 rating.
The 2021 NXT WarGames featured Team 2.0 versus Team Black & Gold and received an 8.25/10 score. It highlighted rising stars like Bron Breakker and cemented their status by defeating established veterans, blending exciting action with a solid crowd response.
In 2024, the WWE Survivor Series WarGames between the Original Bloodline & CM Punk and the New Bloodline & Bronson Reed earned an 8.5/10. The match was noted for its slow start, then speeding up into a highly emotional and well-executed contest, showcasing strong storytelling, especially the partnership between CM Punk and Roman Reigns.
The 2019 NXT WarGames featuring The Undisputed Era versus Kevin Owens, Keith Lee, Tommaso Ciampa, and Dominik Dijakovic was popular, scoring 8.5/10. This match stood out for technical prowess, surprise appearances, and a raucous crowd atmosphere.
The best Women’s WarGames match of 2019 featured Team Ripley vs. Team Baszler, rated 8.5/10. It had memorable storytelling, especially Dakota Kai’s shocking heel turn and a compelling 2-on-4 fight scenario that showcased great character psychology and exciting spots.
The original WWE WarGames in 2017, involving The Undisputed Era, Roderick Strong & AOP, and SAnitY, holds a high rating of 8.75/10. This groundbreaking match combined a unique three-team format with chaotic action and memorable performances, setting a high bar for future WarGames contests.
Fan Take: The revival and evolution of WarGames matches in WWE shows the company’s commitment to honoring wrestling history while innovating storytelling and match formats. For fans, this means continued thrilling spectacles that combine intense athleticism with deep narrative layers, sustaining WarGames as a marquee event in pro wrestling.
