Ranking Every Match at NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021

#3 NXT Women's Champion Raquel González defeats veteran Ember Moon

Credit: WWE

In only her second title defense, NXT Women's Champion Raquel González took on NXT fan favorite, and extremely hungry, Ember Moon in a highly competitive and chaotic match.

The match had several solid story elements going into it. On one hand, you have The NXT Women's Champion González, and her need to continue the incredible roll she has been on for the last 12 months. With NXT constantly pushing the narrative that she is the brand’s "Most Improved Wrestler" of the last year, the pressure was on González to prove that she can defend her title successfully on an NXT TakeOver special.

On the other hand, you have Ember Moon who since returning to NXT has seemingly been trying to find her way back to the main event picture of the black and yellow brand's women's division. While she has had recent success, winning the NXT Tag Team Championships back in March, she has made it clear that her goal was to climb back up to the top of the mountain and be a significant force in the division once again.

🌙 bent like a 🥨 #NXTTakeOver #NXTWomensTitle @RaquelWWE @WWEEmberMoon pic.twitter.com/O3lJsMaewL

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 14, 2021

The match would prove to be a hard-hitting affair, as both women refused to back down from one another. The powerhouse moveset & fast-pace style of the NXT champ González against the experience and caution-to-the-wind style of Ember Moon gave us a quality match, making fans think Moon could capture the gold once again.

Alas, the involvement of Dakota Kai would prove to be a key difference maker in the match, as she would interfere multiple times in the bout, including pulling the NXT Womens Champion's foot on the bottom rope just in-time to stop the ref's three-count after a devastating Eclipse by Moon. Even the return of Shotzi Blackheart wouldn't be enough to even the odds, as the damage was already done.

As Kai and Blackheart battled up the ramp, Moon would attempt another Eclipse from the top rope, but González had too much time to regroup and was able to stop Moon midsequence and hit her deciding slam to win the match.

UNSTOPPABLE. UNBEATABLE. UNRELENTING. 💪 @RaquelWWE stands tall with the #NXTWomensTitle after a barnburner of a match with @WWEEmberMoon! #AndStill #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/5h7EdVafGn

— WWE (@WWE) June 14, 2021

Overall, the match was exactly what fans hoped it would be, and what NXT needed it to be. Under normal circumstances, this would be the second-best match on this card. However, it was one-upped by a Million Dollar Legacy