NXT TakeOver: In Your House returns for the second year running and features two intriguing women’s matches to look forward to.
The first is Mercedes Martinez taking on the vicious and undefeated Xia Li. The second sees Ember Moon challenge Raquel Gonzalez for the NXT Women’s Championship.
Mercedes Martines vs Xia Li
Mercedes Martinez is in the news as of late. Reports stated that she was one of two people rumoured to be Eva Marie‘s muscle/bodyguard. But first, she has got to deal with Xia Li.
The two are feuding ever since Martinez was marked by Tian Sha on the May 25th edition of NXT. The following week Li revealed she wanted revenge on Martinez for defeating her in the Mae Young Classic four years ago. On the go-home show, Li attacked Martinez before her match but was fended off by the veteran.
This pairing has all the ingredients for a great match. Martinez is a well-experienced in-ring general with hard strikes and superb technical acumen. Xia Li is a skilled martial artist with high-velocity kicks, which spell disaster for her opponents.
Since joining Tian Sha, Li is unbeaten. But her opponents were nowhere near the calibre of Martinez. “The Latina Sensation” is easily Li’s toughest challenge to date.
Prediction
Despite picking up wins over new talent recently, it seems Martinez is in NXT to work with and put over the next generation of wrestlers. A win over Martinez will further establish Li as a dominant force.
Xia Li will emerge victorious from what should be a physical and hard-fought battle.
Ember Moon vs Raquel Gonzalez for the NXT Women’s Championship
Ember Moon challenges Raquel Gonzalez for the title she once held, the NXT Women’s Championship.
The two opponents have been enemies going all the way back to the Dusty Classic. But things intensified after Moon and Shotzi Blackheart defeated Gonzalez and Dakota Kai in tag team action.
After the match, Gonzalez brutalised Blackheart while Kai made Moon watch. Moon was out for revenge and challenged Gonzalez but was blindsided by Kai.
Kai and Moon met one-on-one but of course, the number advantage came into play. Gonzalez dropped Moon with the big boot ending the match via DQ. Moon incensed attacked the champ before holding up the title.
Prediction
Ember Moon will undoubtedly bring the fire in this match but Gonzalez is just too strong and powerful. Plus NXT is investing heavily in Gonzalez. At last year’s event, Gonzalez made her NXT TakeOver debut. She was a part of the six-woman tag team match that opened the show. Just twelve months later she is defending the NXT Women’s Championship for the second time.
It is far too early for Gonzalez to drop the title. Therefore, fully expect to see “Big Momma Cool” successful in her second title defence.
What do you make of the predictions? Who are your winners? Let us know in the comments below.
