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Shayna Baszler joined the NXT commentary team for the #1 contender's match. Io Shirai picked up a victory over Baszler a few months ago in a six-woman tag match. Bianca Belair took the champion to the limits at NXT TakeOver: Phoenix, but would ultimately pass out to the Kirafude Clutch.
Belair and Shirai have butted heads lately, with both women feeling they're the rightful challengers for Baszler. Tonight they left it all in the ring, hoping to earn a title bout in New York.
Io Shirai vs Bianca Belair - NXT Women's Championship #1 Contender's Match
Belair shoved Shirai at the beginning, proving that this match isn't about respect for the EST of NXT. Belair dropped Shirai with a shoulder block but missed a dropkick. Shirai avoided another attack and sent Belair to the outside with a dropkick of her own.
Belair caught Shirai, who went for a hurricanrana from the apron, dropping her from the powerbomb position alley oop style into the steel steps. Shirai landed face first and was sent back inside for a cover, but kicked out.
Shirai countered a slam with a roll-up, but Belair kicked out and leveled her with a shoulder block and a standing moonsault. Shirai escaped a submission move, rolling Belair up and sending her into the ropes for a Tiger Feint Kick. A springboard dropkick forced her into the corner where she connected with a running double knee strike.
Belair cut her off as she went up top, sending her crashing to the mat. Belair then went up herself, but Shirai chased her, flipping her off the top with a hurricanrana. Shirai looked for the moonsault, but Belair put her knees up, then crushed Shirai with a spear.
At this point, Shayna Baszler interfered, attacking both competitors.
Results: No Contest
Kairi Sane attempted to make the save but Baszler put her to sleep. Shirai came back in and stunned the champion with an uppercut. The Queen of the Skies sent her outside, and assumed things were over. As she went to check on Sane, Baszler ran back in and choked her out.
Baszler stood standing after the chaos, leaving all three of her potential challengers unconscious around her.
Next week, Dominik Dijakovic will once again battle Keith Lee.
