10 Greatest NXT Matches of All Time

#8 Asuka vs. Ember Moon (Takeover: Brooklyn III)

The Moon faced off against the Sun in Brooklyn

Asuka and Ember Moon, in-ring rivals and real-life friends since their independent wrestling days in 2012, brought the NXT women's division to the next level of athleticism five years later in 2017 when they faced off in two matches at Takeover that year would solidify their mutually-shared history and individual legacies in NXT, just as Sasha Banks and Bayley had two years prior. The latter bout between Asuka and Moon, a rematch following Asuka's less-than-honourable win in their first encounter at Takeover: Orlando, started off as a standard brawl but became an epic, heart-wrenching affair by the end.

Moon, the earnest babyface cloaked in the attire of a war goddess, was considered Asuka's sole equal in an NXT women's division that had otherwise been obliterated by the Empress of Tomorrow. Asuka, who was in the crowd at the first Takeover: Brooklyn, debuted thereafter as a quirky but fierce good girl before gradually evolving into a pompous, self-absorbed character who basked in her own light, standing undefeated since her arrival in NXT and holding the Women's Champion for more than 500 days in the process.

The crowd and audience at home eagerly anticipated whether Moon would hit her devastating Eclipse finisher and finally end Asuka's historic undefeated streak (the longest ever in WWE history) in front a live crowd at the jam-packed Barclay's Center. While Moon was able to nail the manoeuvre on Asuka, the Japanese sensation would quickly shake off the cob webs and kick out. Following a series of successive heart-stopping false-finishes, Moon was unfortunately locked into Asuka's tentacles and finally tapped out to the Asuka Lock, allowing the Empress to ascend to the main roster with her record firmly intact.