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#2 Mia Yim vs. Dakota Kai (Qualifier match for the No. 1 contender's ladder match)
Mia Yim and Dakota Kai faced each other for an opportunity to advance into the Women's Ladder match at TakeOver: Tampa Bay that will determine a new No. 1 contender for the NXT Women's Championship.
Kai who came out for the match with her ally Raquel Gonzalez was determined to pick up a victory after being victorious in her last two matches against best friend-turned-bitter enemy Tegan Nox. Yim started the match by unloading on Kai with kicks and strikes but the tables were soon turned on the HBIC when Gonzalez attacked Yim and dropped her on the apron.
Kai then hit Yim with the Kairopractor backbreaker in the middle of the ring but Yim stunned Kai and Gonzalez by kicking out at two. Gonzalez once again tried to interfere in the match but the referee saw the foul play and tossed her out. A frustrated Kai who was then pleading with the ref got nailed with the Protect Ya Neck from Yim who the got the pinfall.
Results: Mia Yim defeated Dakota Kai via pinfall.
Grade: A
#3 Kushida vs. Raul Mendoza
Kushida took on the high-flying Raul Mendoza in a match which saw both Superstars evenly matched in terms of agility. The former NJPW star's progress was halted due to an injury that he suffered in late 2019 but since coming back, he had been rarely seen in the ring.
That's why in tonight's match against Mendoza, Kushida tried to make the best of his opportunity and was focused on making a great impression. In a match which saw counters and reversals one after the other, Kushida managed to tap out Mendoza with the cross-armbreaker after nailing him with a superb Spanish Fly from the top turnbuckle.
Results: Kushida defeated Raul Mendoza via submission.
Grade: B+
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
