WWE NXT: Ranking the Top 10 Women’s Title Matches of All-Time

7. Last Woman Standing: Asuka vs. Nikki Cross (NXT TV 6/28/17)

If you look hard enough, you can probably see quite a few stylistic similarities between many of the matches on this list. However, if there’s one that stands alone on here it’s this one. Now champion for over year, Asuka had been seemingly in the midst of a heel turn but whilst she waited for an inevitable rematch with Ember Moon, ‘The Empress of Tomorrow’ needed a foe that people could believe in. That foe would quickly come in the form of Sanity’s Nikki Cross.

Since making her debut with the then villainous faction, Cross had hovered around the title picture but now found herself embroiled in a wild feud with the champion, a rivalry that culminated in this very match. For the first time in WWE history, we saw a now famous ‘Last Woman Standing’ match and unsurprisingly, the stipulation took the action’s intensity to a whole new level. It all had a real feel of violence to it, with trash can kicking and even a powerbomb onto steel chairs particularly standing out in my mind.

Aside from the weapon shenanigans though, what made this match particularly dynamic to me was the actual quality of all the physicality seen. Asuka’s striking may have been better than ever here and Cross matched her all the way, creating a quite special feel and atmosphere…even if not amongst this tired Full Sail crowd. The finish fittingly reflected the bout’s whole style as Asuka unforgettably suplexed Cross off a ladder and through the announce table. A memorable end to a tremendous match.

Honestly, this could be higher for you if the match genre is more suited to your tastes but even still, it stands out for me as a one of the great NXT TV clashes. In fact, taking into account Asuka’s whole reign, I’d say that it helped none of her opponents more than this feud and match helped Cross. She may not have won but she was everything she’d claimed to be and as is now clear, that was worth cheering.