The match that was given the most hype all week has finally come and gone. And even better. It delivered. Io Shirai vs. Sasha Banks was all NXT fans could talk about heading into Night One of The Great American Bash as it was a true dream match situation on their hands. Two of the best women in professional wrestling went out there and gave the fans what they wanted. Even better was the way the finish occurred as it saw the return of Asuka to NXT. This was her second time back on the brand since relinquishing the NXT Women’s Championship on Aug. 24, 2017. Asuka aided Shirai by spraying the mist into Banks’ eyes, allowing Shirai to get the upper hand and win the match. Night one ended with the Raw and NXT Women’s Champions celebrating. An awesome moment for any fan of the brand.
Legends supporting legends. We love to see it. #WWENXT #NXTGAB #SashaVsIo @shirai_io @WWEAsuka pic.twitter.com/ACVICh4F79
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) July 2, 2020
Asuka’s inclusion in the match followed Bayley attempting to help Sasha Banks win. She appeared from under the ring to rip the title that Banks tried to use and answered with the spray. Asuka, NXT’s most dominant performer ever, returned to NXT one other time since leaving. It was last year as one half of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions with Kairi Sane to defend against Dakota Kai and Tegan Nox. Now she returns as the Raw Women’s Champion.
Perhaps the biggest item to take out of this eventful ending of Night One is the probability that Io Shirai and Asuka could be teaming up in the future to take on Bayley and Sasha Banks. It would be a match for all the women’s champions in the company right now. And for historians of pro wrestling, Asuka was once tag team partners with Io’s sister, Mio Shirai, and Io in their days wrestling in Japan. They were known as the Triple Tails. When Io moved on, Asuka and Mio continued together as a tag team known as Triple Tails.. Lots of history to play with here, but excitement as well.
There is no official word on if or when this match may take place, but do not be shocked if it happens on Night Two of The Great American Bash as the co-main event. If Sasha is to be believed, it’s not over by any means.
You’re welcome @shirai_io but this isn’t over. @WWEAsuka it’s only just begun. #LetGetExtreme #2BeltzBanks #Sasha3Shows pic.twitter.com/ahQsFsikFH
— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) July 2, 2020
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