Hello, NXT fans! We’re three weeks away from the live NXT Takeover 2 special, which will see Charlotte defend the NXT Women’s Title against Bayley. This week, she takes on Becky Lynch, who certainly impressed the last time these two faced off. Let’s watch:
Say hi to former Total Divas star JoJo, who’s making her ring announcing debut. Charlotte’s out first, allowing the commentators to plug the just-announced Takeover 2. Out next is Becky, whose character looks to be heading even further in the punk rock direction. I’m loving the new gear! I suggested a few weeks back that she should go for a “Christina Von Eerie lite” vibe, and that looks to be where she’s headed. Nice!
Charlotte taunts Becky with a bicep flex, while Becky prefers to do some headbanging and screaming. They meet up in the middle of the ring, Charlotte catching Becky in a waistlock, slamming her to the mat and locking in a front facelock. She hooks Becky with her arms and attempts a backslide pin, but Becky powers out, ducking another attack from Charlotte and rolling her up, catching her left leg and doing some damage to the knee. Is this revenge for the hurting Charlotte put on her leg last time? Careful, Becky. You might just be giving Charlotte some ideas.
Charlotte frees herself by grabbing Becky’s head and rolling her backwards into a pin attempt. Becky kicks out. She take hold of Becky’s left leg and issues some punishment of her own. Becky uses the positioning to push Charlotte’s shoulder to the mat, earning a two count from the referee.
Becky stays in control, latching on a front facelock before rolling Charlotte over into another pin attempt. Charlotte kicks out and spring to her feet, kicking Becky in the midsection. she whips Becky into the corner, but her attack is dodged. With Charlotte in the corner, Becky hoists herself up using the top rope, kicking her in the chest. She backs up and charges towards Charlotte, but is tossed out onto the ring apron. She nails Charlotte with a right hand and re-enters the ring, but is met immediately with Charlotte’s boot.
Charlotte traps Becky in the corner, kicking her in the midsection repeatedly and then choking her with her boot. She snapmares Becky into the middle of the ring and applies the figure four headlock. After a moment, Becky bridges herself up, rolling Charlotte back into a creative pin attempt! The champ kicks out and comes back quick, clotheslining Becky. She goes for two pin attempts, Becky kicking out of both.
Charlotte starts to beat down Becky, halting her attempt to rally back with shots to the head. She whips Becky into the corner, but is nailed by her elbow. Becky explodes out of the corner with a clothesline, going on an offensive tear that sees her hit two leg drops. She goes for the pin, but Charlotte kicks out at two.
Becky brings Charlotte to her feet and goes for a suplex, but it’s blocked. Charlotte takes the momentum and hits a suplex of her own. Becky’s stunned, and perfectly positioned for the Bow Down to the Queen. Charlotte hits it, and it’s all over! She pins Becky and gets the win.
Thoughts: I reviewed their last match, and much like then, I’m impressed. Becky is really exciting to watch, especially when she’s got a character that lets her display all of that energy. She’s no slouch, pulling out some creative pin attempts, showing that multiple pin attempts don’t have to mess with the flow of a match.
Like their last match, this went by so quickly, but not in the “3 minute Diva match on Raw” sort of way. It was engaging from start to finish, and left me wanting more. These two have got to face off in a longer bout. It’s a shame those live specials only come around so often, because I think Becky could give Charlotte a run for her money. Imagine what she’ll be able to do months down the road, once she’s adapted more to her character and is more of a threat (storyline wise) to the division’s top Divas.
I can’t wait to see more of her. And just think – not too long ago, we were worried that she’d be overshadowed by a crappy gimmick. Now the gimmick’s working for her and compliments her in-ring style, which in itself is great, judging by the little glimpses we’ve gotten so far. Since upgrading, Becky 2.0 has delivered exciting matches and a gimmick that gets the crowd energized. Yep, that’s when you know you’ve got a star in the making.
