After winning the title at Takeover: War Games, Ember Moon has slowly been gaining momentum as champion, with wins over Peyton Royce and Sonya Deville. Moon declared that her intention as NXT women’s champion was to surpass the reign of previous title holder Asuka.
Meanwhile, since making her debut, Shayna Baszler has made it a point to make a name for herself at the expense of other competitors’ safeties. Baszler has attacked and choked out individuals such as Kairi Sane, Dakota Kai and Aliyah. It was the bullying tactics employed by Baszler that caught the attention of Ember Moon and brought both women to Takeover: Philadelphia.
Tonight, although Ember won the match, it was Shayna who was left standing tall.
As the match progressed, Shayna stomped on the arm of Ember Moon, similar to what she did to Kai a few weeks ago.
She's called the #NXTWarGoddess for a reason. @WWEEmberMoon is NOT letting up! #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/BOrMJXZQXF
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 28, 2018
Baszler would continue the assault on Ember’s arm, eventually locking her into an arm bar submission. Despite the amount of time Shayna had the arm bar applied, Ember Moon was able to use some momentum, roll up Shayna and retain her championship.
AND STILL your #WWENXT #WomensChampion: The resilient @WWEEmberMoon! #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/dZVNn9yZNg
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 28, 2018
Following the match, as Ember was being helped to the back, Shayna would come up from behind and lock Ember into her signature choke hold. Shayna walked to the back, mocking Moon and the audience as Ember attempted to recover at ringside.
In the main event scene of TakeOver: Philadelphia, newly signed NXT Superstar Candice LeRae also made an appearance to neutralize Zeina Vega when she interfered during Johnny Gargano, LeRae’s husband, NXT Championship match against Andrade “Cien” Almas, who managed to retain the NXT title against Gargano.
She's at it again! #NXTTakeOver #NXTChampionship @Zelina_VegaWWE pic.twitter.com/OFmJFpGtUE
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 28, 2018
.@CandiceLeRae has seen ENOUGH of @Zelina_VegaWWE!!! #NXTTakeOver #NXTChampionship pic.twitter.com/GS4wMbNC8i
— WWE (@WWE) January 28, 2018
What are your thoughts on tonight’s show? Are you happy with Ember retaining? Let us know in the comments below!
