Originally published on ProWrestlingSheet.

NXT TakeOver: War Games kicked off with a victory for Team Candice after Raquel Raquel González pinned NXT Champion Io Shirai.

Team Candice (Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai, Raquel González, and Toni Storm) defeated Team Shotzi (Shotzi Blackheart, Ember Moon, Rhea Ripley, and Io Shirai) in a grueling match that culminated with Shirai being powerbombed through a ladder by González. González then pinned the champ, and secured the win for her team.

The women's War Games match was absolutely brutal, and the eight women involved deserve all the plaudits coming their way. Despite being pinned by a relative newcomer, Shirai's display was impressive. The NXT Champion put her body on the line numerous times and took some really nasty looking bumps. At one point she climbed to the top of the cage, put a trash can over herself, and leaped off onto the bodies below.

Up-and-coming Australian Indi Hartwell interfered in the match on behalf of Team Candice, and celebrated in the ring with her allies.

Naturally, González will have her sights set on bigger things after pinning the champ.