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What’s the story?
On this week’s episode of WWE NXT, the Full Sail University was introduced to NXT’s latest signing, Mae Young Classic runner-up Shayna Baszler who made her debut.
In case you didn’t know…
Shayna Baszler is a former MMA fighter, who has previously fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Baszler made her UFC debut in 2013 as part of Team Ronda Rousey during The Ultimate Fighter 18.
The 37-year-old has also wrestled for numerous top wrestling promotions around the world, most notably for World Wonder Ring Stardom. Shayna is also a former AIW Women’s Champion and DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion.
The heart of the matter
During this week’s episode, NXT Women’s Champion Ember Moon successfully defended her championship against Sonya Deville. However, after the match, Ember was confronted by Kairi Sane who seemed to have her eyes on the NXT Women’s Title but, moments later, Kairi was blindsided by her long-term rival and the debuting Shayna Baszler who choked out “The Pirate Princess” at the entrance ramp and announced her arrival to NXT in a brutal manner.
Due to Baszler’s attack, Kairi failed to issue a challenge to Ember Moon for her NXT Women’s Championship and there is now a very strong possibility of “The Queen of Spades” stepping up next in place of Kairi Sane and challenging Ember Moon next for the NXT Women’s championship.
However, following this segment, Ember Moon stated in a backstage interview that she doesn’t care who she faces next.
Highlights of the match and Baszler's debut can be seen in the video below.
What’s next?
It will now be interesting to see if NXT decides to do a triple threat Women’s Title match at Takeover: Philadelphia, on January 27th or if they go with the second option instead, which is a rematch of the Mae Young Classic finale between Shayna Baszler and Kairi Sane.
If we do get to witness the latter option then Ember Moon can get into a filler feud against the likes of Nikki Cross, Billie Kay, or even Peyton Royce for the time being.
Author’s take
I think a complete rivalry between Shayna Baszler and Kairi Sane can be beautifully written and the NXT creative team can do wonders for this sort of storyline. A rematch between “The Queen of Spades” and “The Pirate Princess” will definitely be one to watch out for.
