WWE NXT TakeOver: Phoenix Results, Highlights, And Grades

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Shayna Baszler (c) vs. Bianca Belair for the WWE NXT Women’s Championship

Result: Shayna Baszler forces Bianca Belair to pass out

Rating: Amazing, Though it was disappointing to see Bianca Belair lose, the crowd couldn’t get enough of her and believed in her throughout. As usual, the heel/face story-telling in a Baszler match was fantastic, and Belair was absolutely brilliant. This was the most dramatic match of the night so far. And Bianca isn’t done yet.

The only two-time Women’s Champion in WWE NXT history, Shayna Baszler, is at serious risk of losing tonight against the undefeated Bianca Belair. She is the EST of NXT and has inspired fans with her confidence, strength, and ability to mentally dissect opponents. Belair and Baszler will look to steal the show in a brutal match, and we’re about to witness one hell of a story in the ring.

Also Sam Roberts and whoever wrote those lines for him can shove it. Belair is ready, and I don’t need your fake heat to build some BS story focused around her “readiness”. Just beating Baszler is a challenge enough, even for an undefeated superstar.

Baszler and Belair start feeling each other out as grapplers to a stalemate, and both women look enthused to have finally met someone who they feel is a worth opponent. Belair has the strength advantage, but Baszler has the experience and technical know-how.

Early on, Belair kept trying to remind Baszler that she’s “Undefeated”, and Baszler was NOT amused. She also wasn’t amused by Belair’s handsprings and back-flips, gaining an advantage on Shayna with her athleticism.

But Baszler has her tricks. She pulled Belair by the hair and sent her head-first into the ring post. Now that was savage.

Belair barely rolled into the ring with an injured shoulder following that attack onto the ring post, as she nearly lost via count-out. Baszler started locking in on that left arm, contorting it brutally and attacking it just like she attacked Dakota Kai’s arm. This could be it for Bianca, as the ref had to check up on the injured babyface.

Of course, Shayna wasn’t easing up on the EST any time soon, as she kept focusing her full attention on the left arm with some creative and devastating moves. And at this point, The Queen of Spades was just toying with a surviving Bianca.

Baszler attempted to lock in the rear-naked choke, but Belair was able to use her strength to shove Shayna off of her. Again, Shayna was all smiles, enjoying the punishment she was delivering to the EST, slowly sapping the strength out of the match’s babyface.

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Shayna called Bianca “overrated”, and Belair slapped the taste out of her mouth before ramming Baszler into the corner. Basically restricted to one arm, Belair started using her prodigious strength and quickness to come back, getting a two-count that even impressed heel commentator Nigel McGuinness.

Belair completely whiffed on several strikes in almost embarrassing fashion, but Belair finally managed to send Shayna flying…by using her hair whip! What a connection, too!

A potential turning point in the match that left a mark on Baszler’s mid-section, Belair, however, couldn’t capitalize. Shayna shoved Bianca into the ref and started using the hair against her, but Belair HAD THE MATCH WON by countering into the KOD shortly afterwards. However, the ref was OUT, and Bianca panicked.

Marina Shair and Jessamyn Duke ran in to cost Bianca, but the EST bested both former MMA stars, KOD’ing Duke onto Shafir.

Belair had this match won, but all of a sudden she found herself in the Kirifuda Clutch just as the referee began to stir. Gasping for air and screaming, Belair was losing strength in the grasp of one of WWE’s most devastating finishers. The crowd stood anxiously, as Bianca somehow found enough strength to stand in the face of the Kirifuda Clutch.

She suplexed Baszler, and all of a sudden it seems like Bianca is ready to win that NXT Women’s Championship! Baszler made it a point to say that it doesn’t matter how strong you are in the Kirifuda Clutch, but Bianca proved that false with her counter!

Duke tried to interfere again, but Belair kicked her off the top rope. She missed with a big move, however, and got put back in the Kirifuda Clutch immediately, struggling for dear life. Belair and Baszler were locked in an absolute struggle, as Belair struggled to her feet. She was so close to pulling it off, too, but her legs gave out at the last possible second…

…but what, Bianca stood up! Baszler had to switch arms to keep her grip, but Bianca somehow found something extra and stood up AGAIN after being in the submission for ages!

Unfortunately, just as the crowd started chanting EST, Belair collapsed and passed out.

And this crowd was PISSED at the finish. Baszler’s reign of terror on the NXT Women’s Division continues, but, man, Belair showed so much heart in this match. I really thought she should have won, but Belair came away looking like the huge star that she is. This was an incredible performance from her, and even though she’s no longer undefeated, she IS winning that NXT Women’s Championship soon. I can guarantee it.