Dakota Kai won a number one contender’s match on tonight’s NXT to earn her shot at Io Shirai for the NXT Women’s Championship. This match will take place at TakeOver XXX on Aug. 22. She defeated former champion, Rhea Ripley. Kai has been chomping at the bit to get to Shirai ever since Shirai became champion. Attacking the champion on numerous occasions, Kai has made several emphatic statements to the Joshi Judas.
Kai may have picked up the victory on Ripley but wouldn’t do it all on her own. While the referee wasn’t looking, Mercedes Martinez attacked Ripley. Ripley and Kai had been in the corner, Ripley got the better of the exchange as she knocks her opponent down to the mat. While the official was checking on Kai, Martinez leveled Ripley with a kick on the apron.
This was enough for Kai to capitalized as she delivered the GTK and got the three count to head to TakeOver.
As Kai made her way up the ramp celebrating her victory, Martinez enters the ring and attacks Ripley leaving her laid out in the center of the ring. If you recall, Ripley was approached by the Robert Stone Brand to become a member last month. She declined and defeated both Stone and Aliyah in a handicap match at The Great American Bash.
The trio was interviewed after the attack on Ripley and Stone said that Ripley may be done with the Robert Stone Brand, but the brand isn’t done with her.
Do you think Kai is the rightful next opponent for Shirai? What do you make of a Martinez vs. Ripley rivalry up next? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
