WWE NXT: Shayna Baszler could lose her title, but win the Royal Rumble

Shayna Baszler is one step closer to losing her WWE NXT Women’s Championship, which could bring her one step closer to a WrestleMania match with Becky Lynch.

Last night’s episode of NXT saw the black and gold brand confirm that on the Dec. 18 episode, Shayna Baszler will defend her WWE NXT Women’s Championship against long time rival Rhea Ripley. It is a match that is practically tailor made for a TakeOver special, making it all the more odd for WWE to deliver it on free TV.

Or, perhaps, there actually is a method to the madness. Call me crazy, but I have a sneaking suspicion that there is a bigger picture to Shayna Baszler possibly losing her title on an episode taking place on the tail-end of December. Especially when, coincidentally, the Royal Rumble happens in the tail-end of January.

If Ripley manages to unseat Baszler of her +400-day Women’s Championship reign two weeks from now (which, given how strong Ripley’s been booked as of late, is a strong possibility), then that frees a title-less Baszler up for a Royal Rumble appearance the following month.

And if Baszler managers to be the last woman standing in that match, it’s likely she’ll decide to move to Raw for a WrestleMania match against a recent foe and current champion: Becky Lynch.

Call it a prediction. Call it a spoiler. Call it unlikely. Call it likely. Whatever you call it, the way Baszler was booked on the road to Survivor Series (especially at the PPV when she tapped out Bayley and teased her feud with Lynch continuing later down the line) made me suspect that WWE had plans to continue that Lynch vs. Baszler feud sooner than later.

If I’m correct in that suspicion, than this title loss leading into a Royal Rumble win would be the perfect scenario to get us to that destination.