WWE NXT TakeOver Philadelphia: Highlights, Grades, and Analysis
Credit: WWE NXT on Twitter
Ember Moon (c) vs. Shayna Baszler For The NXT Women’s Championship
Result: Moon wins via roll-up
Rating: 3.75 out of 5.0 stars
Shayna Baszler has immediately established herself as one of the top heels in the company, as the Mae Young Classic finalist has wreaked havoc on the entire NXT Women’s roster. She’s essentially bullied herself into this championship match, which is Ember Moon’s first title defense since winning Asuka’s vacated title in a Fatal Four-Way match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames. It honestly feels like this one could go either way.
To really show the emotions behind this match, Ember Moon screamed right in Shayna Baszler’s face as she entered the ring. We’re in for a treat.
In the early going, Baszler tried to establish that she is the superior grappler, but that didn’t last. Moon came right back at her, sending Baszler to regroup outside the ring before hitting a suicide dive on the Queen of Spades.
As Moon tried to get up from the ground, Baszler stepped on her fingers and then stomped on Moon’s arm, attempting to break it the exact same way she broke Dakota Kai’s arm.
She then kept working incessantly on that left arm with evil precision. But Moon started to come back after being in several holds, getting the match to heat back up again. She used every part of her body besides that left arm, clearly holding it to her side as she ascended the top rope.
And she hit the Eclipse despite it! However, the Eclipse caused her left arm to become in even more pain, and she couldn’t capitalize. The medical staff briefly saw to her, but Baszler quickly put her in an armbar. Moon somehow didn’t tap and got to the rope for a break.
But…Baszler dragged Moon back to the center, and Moon was somehow still holding on! She’s been in this submission for a long time, though…but that shows you how much the title means to her. She’s even turned the Philly faithful in her favor with her resiliency, as they were booing her since she’s from the Dallas area.
Moon then countered into a roll-up for an insane win! Wow! What a match!
And in an effort to upstage Tommaso Ciampa early, Baszler locked Moon into a rear-naked choke on the ramp. Yup, she is one insane heel and a sore loser.