Just days before NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, where Ember Moon will defend the NXT Women’s Title against Shayna Baszler, the two came face to face in a sit-down interview on tonight’s (Jan 24th) NXT.
Moderator Percy Watson asked why Moon challenged Baszler to a title match. Moon calls Baszler a bully, accusing her of wanting to take shortcuts by attacking people from behind.
Baszler says her actions have never been about Aliyah, Dakota Kai or Kairi Sane. It was always about the big fish in Ember Moon. Moon says she’s the big fish for a reason and the NXT Women’s division live by a code of sportsmanship, skill, honor, and heart. Moon adds that being the NXT Women’s Champion comes with responsibilities to represent the division and that Baszler won’t grasp that concept at TakeOver: Philadelphia.
Baszler praises Moon for achieving her dreams but says the difference between them is that she doesn’t care that everyone knows of the struggles she went through. Baszler says she has worked just as hard as Monad that after TakeOver, she’ll be walking away with the NXT Women’s Title and Moon’s dreams.
Will 2018 be @BiancaBelairWWE’s breakout year? The #ESTofNXT is in action right now on #WWENXT on @WWENetwork! pic.twitter.com/dbjBuIvKaQ
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2018
Bianca Belair was also in action tonight in a match against Latoya (Luscious Latisha).
Belair slams Latoya down to the mat with a waist lock takeover. She follows up with a running shoulder block and then uses her strength to back Latoya to a corner, where she lays several kicks to the midsection.
Where there's a will, there's a way for @BiancaBelairWWE! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/Vpx3HDwGJV
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 25, 2018
Latoya manages to escape a body slam and runs the ropes, going for the head scissors. However, Belair countered with a backbreaker and displayed her strength again with a double chicken wing facebuster on Latoya.
The longEST braid in all of #WWENXT works in @BiancaBelairWWE's favor! #ESTofNXT pic.twitter.com/nsXECSsGWn
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 25, 2018
An impressive victory begs the question: what's next for @BiancaBelairWWE?! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/ad4dWOZGwY
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 25, 2018
Latoya regroups at a corner as Belair charges after her but misses her attack. Latoya fights back with a high kick and begins to climb the second turnbuckle. She flies but Belair countered with her signature hair whip. A reverse powerbomb gives Belair the win.
She has had A LOT to say about the #WomensDivision, but how will @LaceyEvansWWE fare in the ring NEXT WEEK against @NikkiCrossWWE? #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/xfZQ5utrQp
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) January 25, 2018
Next week’s NXT will see a match-up between Nikki Cross and Lacey Evans.
Between watching @AndradeCienWWE endure a #SlingshotDDT and watching @JohnnyGargano hold the #NXTTitle, @Zelina_VegaWWE has A LOT to be mad at right now! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/XrJn8XnCic
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2018
Zelina Vega also made an appearance during NXT’s main event scene when she and the NXT Champion Andrade Alams confronted Johnny Gargano, who was standing tall by the end of the night.
What did you think of this week’s episode of NXT? Are you excited about TakeOver: Philadelphia? What do you think will happen at TakeOver? Let us know in the comments below!
