5 things WWE NXT got right at TakeOver 36: Samoa Joe makes history; Ilja Dragunov makes WALTER tap out

#4. Raquel Gonzalez defended her title before meeting her next challenger at WWE NXT TakeOver 36

Shades of @DaveBautista with that breathtaking POWERBOMB from @RaquelWWE!@DakotaKai_WWE#NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/peLK603dDa

— WWE (@WWE) August 23, 2021

Dakota Kai was looking to score her first WWE NXT title at TakeOver 36. She took on Raquel Gonzalez for the NXT Women’s Championship and went for the Kaio Kick early in the contest.

Gonzalez countered with a lariat and took control of the contest from there on. Big Mami Cool looked to vent her frustration at her former best friend in this contest and delivered some big moves to punish her early.

A Kaio Kick from Kai knocked Gonzalez outside the ring, only to get her back in the ring for a two-count. The action was fast-paced and both superstars continued to hit their signature offense. The NXT Women’s Champion felt much more natural and confident in the contest and did not mess up her moves too much.

Late in the contest, The Captain of Team Kick tripped Gonzalez and set up the Kaio Kick. However, Big Mami Cool caught her running and hit a thunderous single-arm powerbomb off the second rope for the win.

The match was great and solidified Gonzalez as the top champion in NXT. However, it was heartbreaking to watch Kai lose in another title match.

After the contest, Kay Lee Ray made her way out to a big pop from the NXT Universe. The former NXT UK Women’s Champion stared down Gonzalez to make her intentions very clear.

The two women will have a great rivalry for the title on NXT. Ray has proven to be one of the best in-ring workers in WWE over the past couple of years.