Find out what happened when Asuka defended her NXT Women’s title against Nia Jax at NXT TakeOver: The End!
It’s taken a while to get here, but the epic showdown between Asuka and Nia Jax for the NXT Women’s Championship has finally arrived. This has always been the match NXT has been building to, presenting both women as largely dominant throughout their runs, but now that it’s here the air has been let out of the tires a little bit.
This all started when Jax finally got her revenge on former champion Bayley by defeating the lovable hugger in May, to make up for the loss she suffered last year. With Bayley injured in the showdown, Jax won a triple threat match against Carmella and Alexa Bliss to secure the #1 contender spot. Meanwhile, Asuka has remained the silent, unafraid champ, staring down Jax during their heated contract signing….until Jax powerbombed her through the mat. Will she survive her latest and biggest threat yet? Is her months-long undefeated streak coming to an end?
More wwe: WrestleMania 33 Match Card Projections
The eyes of Nia Jax showed no fear as she entered the ring first.
The imposing @NiaJaxWWE is LIVE at @FullSail...and she's got her eyes on the prize! #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/Klj6JoTfNT
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) June 9, 2016
Followed by the champion, mysterious as ever.
Peekaboo.#NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/fAJErnW8eh
— Ellis Mbeh (@EllisMbeh) June 9, 2016
Usually it’s Asuka who has the psychological advantage but not against the massive Jax, who uses he power to throw the champ around like a rag doll.
Asuka has a gameplan, though, and it’s to use submissions just as Bayley did to defeat Jax months ago. Will it work, though?
There are a LOT of submission holds in the arsenal of @WWEAsuka! #NXTTakeOver #WomensChampionship pic.twitter.com/CPzqqmlLzM
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) June 9, 2016
Nope, not gonna work.
RAW POWER on display by @NiaJaxWWE... #NXTTakeOver #WomensChampionship @WWEAsuka pic.twitter.com/uGXKfCvYB7
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 9, 2016
Has Asuka ever looked like this in a match before? She’s never faced an opponent like Jax before, so no.
Can @WWEAsuka find SOME way to ground @NiaJaxWWE? #NXTTakeOver #WomensChampionship pic.twitter.com/pQjSLTfA3C
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 9, 2016
Asuka’s using the only advantage she’s got against Jax, her speed.
HERE COMES THE CHAMP! #NXTTakeOver #WomensChampionship @WWEAsuka pic.twitter.com/47xz9g7T4t
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 9, 2016
Here comes Asuka with the comeback! Oh wait, nope. That’s the end of that. Jax is just too strong.
Another flurry from Asuka didn’t accomplish much but to make Jax really angry.
Don't make @NiaJaxWWE angry! #NXTTakeOver #WomensChampionship pic.twitter.com/Et1LaHOmym
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 9, 2016
But Jax was really heated when Asuka summoned up reserves of energy from out of nowhere, nailing Jax with a series of brutal kicks that put her down for the count!
Or maybe you DO make her angry! @WWEAsuka retains the @WWENXT #WomensChampionship! #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/WOMbThIF70
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 9, 2016
A strong match by both women, but you could tell that Nia Jax still has a long way to go before she can really go with someone the caliber of Asuka.
Next: NXT TakeOver: The End Live Review
Where does Asuka go from here after NXT TakeOver: The End? Another match with Nia Jax? And if not, what does that mean for Jax’s future in NXT?