WWE NXT TakeOver: XXX Preview – Former Universal Champion to make history, huge return on the card? (August 22, 2020)

#3 Dakota Kai challenges Io Shirai for the NXT Women’s Championship

Will Io Shirai retain her gold?

Io Shirai won the NXT Women’s Championship match back in June after she defeated Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley in a triple-threat match at NXT TakeOver: In Your House. Her upcoming challenger is Dakota Kai and the latter looks determined to win the NXT Women’s Championship for the first time in her career.

So much for going it alone...Has this been @DakotaKai_WWE's plan for #NXTTakeOver: XXX all along?!?!@RaquelWWE @shirai_io pic.twitter.com/G6hdf19wGE

— WWE (@WWE) August 20, 2020

Dakota Kai defeated Rhea Ripley in the match to determine the no. 1 contender for Io Shirai’s gold after interference from The Robert Stone Brand's Mercedes Martinez. Following that, she attacked Io Shirai after the latter had successfully defended her title against NXT Superstar Tegan Nox. Both Kai and Shirai have engaged in a few altercations since then and are looking forward to their upcoming title bout.

.@RaquelWWE returns to #WWENXT just days before @DakotaKai_WWE's #NXTTakeOver Match against @shirai_io.Coincidence? We think not. pic.twitter.com/FEyoMTBO4M

— WWE (@WWE) August 20, 2020

While Io Shirai is still expected to retain her title, Kai will have a huge advantage as her friend Raquel Gonzalez is expected to be on the ringside. Gonzalez has often made crucial interferences to help Kai and the latter is highly reliant on her to do the heavy lifting. Hence, it wouldn’t be fair to rule out the possibility of Kai finally becoming a champion tonight, especially after the commendable run she has had on NXT ever since she turned heel earlier this year.