WWE: Ranking The Top 10 NXT Superstars of 2018

9. Kairi Sane

Kairi cemented her position as NXT’s top pure babyface with a series of punishing matches against consummate heel Shayna Baszler. But don’t mistake ‘good’ for ‘weak’: Sane’s fire and determination saw her finally best Baszler at NXT TakeOver Brooklyn IV in a phenomenal bout which stole the entire show.

If Baszler’s success as a monster heel was as a result of her detestability, then Sane’s concurrent success is down to the fact that, despite her upbeat, likeable exterior, she ultimately represents a legitimate challenge. She’s not just the peppy pirate princess: she can, and will, kick your ass if you deserve it. And Baszler deserved it.

The back-and-forth between Sane and Baszler was compelling precisely because both competitors were firing on all cylinders every single time. Watching her overcome Baszler’s punishing offense to claim the title was a moment of genuine triumph, not just for Sane but for the audience, who had perhaps begun to wonder just who would be strong enough to break Baszler’s stranglehold on the division.

Sane subsequently lost the title to Baszler in a superb match at Evolution, and failed to reclaim it in a 2 out of 3 falls match at TakeOver: WarGames. But on neither occasion did she look weak in defeat. One thing’s for sure: we have not seen the last of Sane in the NXT Women’s Title picture.