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NXT Women's Championship match at TakeOver 31: Candice LeRae vs Io Shirai (c)
Io Shirai and Candice LeRae may be destined to do this forever, as we saw this last summer when Shirai went dark. They've fought several times since then, and this time the tables have been turned. The NXT Women's Champion had her challenger on the ropes early on, forcing LeRae to retreat to the floor at TakeOver 31.
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As LeRae came back on the apron, Shirai set up for a slingshot sunset bomb to the ground. LeRae held onto the ropes, shaking her off and hitting a springboard crossbody. Shirai responded with an Asai moonsault. Back inside, Shirai battered her former ally around the ring at TakeOver 31.
In the corner, the Poison Pixie of NXT caught Shirai with a backstabber, slowing down the pace going forward and keeping Shirai on the mat. Shirai attempted to get up but was rocked with a big clothesline from Lerae.
A backbreaker earned LeRae a two-count. LeRae's step-up senton missed, allowing Shirai to stun her with a victory roll into a double stomp. Both women fought back to their feet, where Shirai took the lead again. A flapjack and 619 set Shirai up for the springboard missile dropkick at TakeOver 31.
LeRae countered an Over the Moonsault, or so she thought, with a powerbomb, but as she sat down, Shirai rolled through for a double knee strike in the corner. LeRae rebounded off the ropes for a snap German and backstabber, following that with the lionsault. Shirai kicked out at TakeOver 31.
Shirai fought out of the Garga-No Escape, and LeRae accidentally hit the ref as she pulled herself off the NXT Women's Champion. The ref took another hit from Shirai accidentally, allowing Johnny Gargano to rush the ring. Putting on an NXT official's shirt, he went to count the pin after a curb stomp, but Shirai kicked out.
Gargano handed LeRae the title, and when the ref recovered, was sent to the back. The distraction allowed LeRae to hit Shirai with the NXT Women's Championship, but it still only got a two. As LeRae moved up top, she was caught by Shirai with an avalanche Spanish fly.
The Over the Moonsault connected, and Io Shirai retained.
Results: Io Shirai defeated Candie LeRae via pinfall on NXT Takeover 31.
Grade: A
After the match, NXT received two major surprises at TakeOver 31. The first came from former NXT UK Women's Champion Toni Storm, who appeared on the screen to congratulate Io Shirai on her win. She also revealed that she'd be joining NXT as a member of the roster from here on out.
The "Mystery Superstar" shortly followed up, and it turned out to be none other than former NXT Women's Champion Ember Moon.
The NXT women's division has stepped up quite a bit in just one night.
