The NXT women’s division has been the highlight of NXT: Takeover events with show-stealing championship matches and this one is no different, with Shayna Baszler asserting herself into the title picture. Baszler made it to the finals of the Mae Young Classic, where she lost to “Pirate Princess” Kari Sane, but when Ember Moon was challenged by Sane for a one-on-one meeting on WWE NXT TV, Shayna returned and choked out Sane on the entrance ramp. Now its Ember Moon vs Shayna Baszler, and the outcome could go either way, with Shayna already taking out competition in short work as the champion tries to establish herself the way Asuka did.
Ember Moon had a long road to the gold where she lost to Asuka twice, but she finally captured the NXT women’s championship in her home of Texas and Asuka awarded her the title in November. While Asuka’s title reign is almost impossible to live up to, it’s now Ember Moon’s task to put away big challengers and her first NXT Takeover defense is one of the biggest matches of her career. It may be hard to hit the Eclipse on a ground-based opponent so it may be a game of opportunities if Ember Moon wants to take on future challengers like Kari Sane.
Fans either enjoy Shayna Baszler’s in-ring style or they don’t, as she has an MMA background that she uses extensively to tap out anyone that steps in the ring with her. Shayna spent two years in promotions like Absolute Intense Wrestling (AIW)and SHIMMER before being signed to WWE, so she’s looking to impress early and she has done just that. “The Queen Of Spades” has already defeated new signee Candice LaRae and Dakota Kai, she wants all the glory right here and right now. Trained by Josh Barnett in UFC and trained by Mercedes Martinez for the wrestling ring, Shayna is the real deal and the future involvement with friend Rhonda Rousey will no doubt be set into motion in 2018.
The final prediction for Ember Moon vs Shayna Baszler is that Shayna goes for one submission too many and the champion retains with a victory roll scenario in a very heated match with a big atmosphere in Philadelphia.
