After a huge WarGames/Survivor Series weekend, there was a lot to unpack on NXT this week. Although we didn’t get an answer from Dakota Kai on why she turned on her best friend – Tegan Nox – she was in action against Candice LeRae. LeRae was part of Team Ripley who was left high and dry when Kai decided to take out Nox.
All three women have been really close friends which has caused LeRae to take the attack on Nox rather personal. Kai entered her match tonight with new music and a new theme marking her heel turn. The match between Kai and LeRae was a really good battle. The match ended in a DQ however when Kai hit LeRae over the head with Nox’s knee brace.
Kai stayed on LeRae after the bell rang and her intention was to clearly take her out of commission much as she did to Nox at WarGames. Rhea Ripley would rush down to the ring to stop the attack and cause Kai to retreat.
The second match of the night was Vanessa Borne taking on Xia Li to seek some retribution on what happened to her tag team partner Aliyah.
The match would be rather short as NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler along with Marina Shafir & Jessamyn Duke would make their way down to ringside. Li would be distracted for just a moment, but she would still secure a fast victory over Borne.
After Li put away Borne, Baszler and the other two would attack. Shafir and Duke would attack first as Li took them out pretty quickly. She would fight off Baszler at first but the numbers game was simply too much as they were able to take out Li.
Baszler would then boast about how she was the big star over this past weekend. She gloated that she took out both Bayley and Becky Lynch and did it at the same time. Enter Rhea Ripley. Ripley would make her way to the ring but by the time she entered the ring Baszler and the other two would be retreating up the ramp. Ripley took to the mic and asked for Baszler to return because she wanted to talk to her face to face.
Baszler would make her way back and stand on the ring apron. Ripley would congratulate her. She did defeat Bayley. She did defeat Becky Lynch. There was one woman she didn’t beat and that was Ripley. Ripley said the next time she battles Baszler it is going to be for the title and she suggested they do it right then and there. Baszler wasn’t having it as she made her way back up the ramp.
Here are your Winners & Losers of the week:
WINNER: Dakota Kai
Overall Kai was a winner this week. Her heel turn is going to take some convincing to people as she is a natural babyface. For me personally, I think she is doing a great job to start. She may not have picked up the win in her match but she did cause the DQ. She stayed on LeRae as well after the match. My only complaint would be that she didn’t cut any type of promo, but hopefully, that will take place in the weeks to come.
WINNER: Rhea Ripley
Ripley pretty much confirmed that she is the number one contender for Baszler’s title which makes her a big winner. After the week she has had as well she not only deserves to get the title shot but she will most likely win. Something tells me it isn’t going to be right away though. Her promo with Baszler was really good also. I feel like they bring the best out of each other.
LOSER: Xia Li
Li may have won her match in a quick fashion much as she did against Aliyah but her being taken out afterward did her no good. It actually didn’t make much sense either besides for Baszler just to take someone out in order to cut her promo.
Final Thoughts:
Overall they touched on the fallout from WarGames and Survivor Series, but I feel like they could have done even more with the women this week. To be honest, I was worried for a moment we weren’t even going to get two women’s matches. The Kai and LeRae match was great and although I understand and accept why the match ended in a DQ I personally don’t like it when good matches end in that fashion.
I really enjoy Vanessa Borne and wish she was being used more than just a jobber. Her theme is great and so is her look. It was great to see her in a match tonight, but that alone wasn’t enough to make her a winner.
What were your thoughts on NXT this week? Who were your Winners & Losers? Let us know in the comment section.