What’s the story?
On tonight’s edition of NXT, the women’s roster of NXT competed in a Battle Royale to determine the #1 contender for Asuka’s NXT Women’s Championship. However, things didn’t go according to plan and NXT General Manager William Regal was forced to make a major decision.
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The background...
Asuka debuted in NXT in 2015 and, as of this publishing, has yet to lose a match (according to WWE, anyway). At NXT Takeover: Dallas on April 1st, 2016, Asuka defeated Bayley for the NXT Women’s Title and still has yet to lose it, despite tough title defences against Bayley, Mickie James, and Ember Moon.
The heart of the story
With no clear #1 contender, NXT ran tonight’s battle royale, with the final three contestants being Ember Moon, SAnitY member Nicki Cross, and Ruby Riot. However, just as it seemed that Ember Moon had the upper hand against her two foes, Asuka ran to the ring to attack all three – causing the refs at ringside to call off the whole match.
What’s next?
Immediately afterwards, GM William Regal came to the stage to angrily announce that Asuka would be defending her title in a Fatal Four-Way at NXT Takeover: Chicago on May 20th, the night before the Smackdown Live PPV, Backlash.
Author’s take
It’s obvious that WWE wants to bring Asuka up to the main roster sooner than later – and with no disrespect meant to the other women on the NXT roster – they’ve built Asuka into such a force that it’s tough to have her credibly lose her title to anyone else.
By having her lose in a Fatal Four-Way match where she doesn’t have to be beaten directly – if that’s even what they intend to do, they can get the title off her while protecting her at the same time.
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