Raquel Gonzalez is your new NXT Women’s Champion as she defeated Io Shirai in the main event of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. This win ended the 300+ day reign of Shirai who held the title since last June.
There was a lot of hype heading into this match with Shirai picking Gonzalez personally to be her next opponent. Shirai had gone through many competitors, some of the biggest names in the NXT brand. The build up for this match stood and the match delivered.
The match was very well paced and both women were able to execute their signature move sets. Dakota Kai was caught early in the match trying to interfere and help Gonzalez and was ejected from ringside making the match truly one-on-one. Instead of coming at the match from a dominating perspective which Gonzalez could certainly do, Shirai proved why she has held the title for nearly a year.
Shirai kept to her namesake as the Genius of the Sky. High-risk maneuvers throughout including the use of the skull set up at the stage entrance to execute a cross body off the top. She came crashing down onto Gonzalez on the steel ramp.
In the end, Gonzalez would finally deliver the one-armed powerbomb to win her first singles title with the company. Gonzalez has had one hell of 2020 as she shockingly showed up to assist Dakota Kai in her street fight against Tegan Nox at TakeOver: Portland. This year she won the first-ever Women’s Dusty Classic with Kai and they became the inaugural NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions.
As for Shirai, what could be next for her? Will she try to get her gold back or will she move onto the red or blue brand in the near future?
Recently signed Sarray was also seen at TakeOver in the crowd with Stephanie McMahon which should mean her debut is coming shortly.
Another promo had been shown for Franky Monet (formerly known as Taya Valkyrie) who will be making her NXT debut next Tuesday, April 13. Her dog ran to her in the ring and we saw her pick up her dog with a “See You Next Tuesday” screen.
On the pre-show, Zoey Stark took on Toni Storm. Stark has been having many matches with some well-established names while being new to the roster. She picked up her biggest win tonight as she defeated Storm in a very competitive match. She won with a pin from an inside cradle. With this huge win against the former NXT UK Women’s Champion, what is next for Stark?
Night Two of Stand & Deliver takes place tomorrow with the NXT Women’s Tag Team Titles on the line. Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon defend the gold against Indi Hartwell & Candice LeRae.
What did you think about what transpired at tonight’s event? Do you think that Io Shirai will be moving on to RAW or SmackDown? What do you make of Raquel being the new champion? Leave your thoughts below.
