The next WWE NXT PLE is the Great American Bash on Sunday, June 28, so the June 9, episode of NXT was all about card-building. We got a new number one contender for the NXT Women’s Championship, the beginning of the next Women’s Speed Title direction, and a major championship change to close the show.
Let’s dive in.
Before the match, Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair spoke backstage. Wren said she could not be at ringside because of her injury and mentioned talking to GM Robert Stone about a Women’s Speed Title tournament. Lola Vice then walked in and told Grey she did not mean to hit her last week. Grey said that was the second time and told Vice she would deal with her after beating Kelani Jordan.
Kendal Grey vs. Kelani Jordan
NXT Women’s Championship Number One Contender’s Match
Jordan and Grey had another incredible match, which is not surprising because these two have very good chemistry. Grey started fast with takedowns and a dropkick, but Jordan took over by targeting the ribs, sending Grey into the turnbuckle, and hitting a neckbreaker on the floor.
Jordan stayed in control for a while with strikes, a springboard forearm, a neckbreaker, and some grounded offense. Grey fought back with elbows, an overhead belly-to-belly suplex, and two Exploder Suplexes. Jordan tried to steal one with her feet on the ropes, but referee Jeremy Marcus caught it. Always nice when the referee notices the crime before the replay package does.
The closing stretch was full of counters and nearfalls. Jordan hit a superkick, a Cutter over the top rope, and a Frog Splash for two. Grey kept surviving, looking for the armbar whenever she could. After more reversals, Grey finally hit Shades of Grey for the win.
Winner by pinfall: Kendal Grey
This was awesome, just like their last match. Jordan looked great and had plenty of moments where it felt like she could win, but Grey kept fighting and finally got the big victory. I am a little sad Jordan is not getting the title match since she has been on the brand for a while, but Grey earning the shot makes sense.
Kendal Grey will now challenge Lola Vice for the NXT Women’s Championship at Great American Bash.
Backstage, Izzi Dame was shown watching on a monitor and wondering why she was in the Women’s Speed Tournament. Shawn Spears said he got Dame into the tournament so she could win a title, noting that she will face Thea Hail, someone she has beaten before. Niko Vance and Dame liked the idea.
Tatum Paxley vs. Zaria
NXT Women’s North American Championship
Zaria made her entrance for the main event as the announcers noted that she had yet to win a championship in NXT. Tatum Paxley followed with the NXT Women’s North American Championship, and the fans were fully behind her as usual.
The match started quickly with Zaria hitting a Spear for two. Zaria used her power early, sending Paxley out of the ring, into the barricade, and into the ring post. Paxley found an opening by stomping Zaria off the apron and hitting a moonsault to the floor.
Back in the ring, Zaria worked over Paxley’s arm, but Paxley rallied with strikes, a jumping DDT, an enziguri, a flipping leg drop, and a kick to the back of the neck for two. Paxley also hit a German Suplex, avoided a Spear, and landed a double stomp to the back.
Zaria kept answering with power, including another Spear for two. Paxley had some great moments late, including a Coast to Coast dropkick that nearly retained the title. After both women struggled to hit their finishers, Paxley went for a moonsault to the floor, but Zaria moved. That was the turning point.
Zaria hit an F5 on the floor, brought Paxley back into the ring, hit a Spear, and then finished her with another F5 to win the NXT Women’s North American Championship.
Winner by pinfall AND NEW NXT Women’s North American Champion: Zaria
This was a very good championship match. Paxley fought hard, but Zaria capitalized on one mistake and made it count. The F5 fits Zaria perfectly, her Spear looks great, and this felt like the right time for the title change.
Zaria celebrated with the NXT Women’s North American Championship, clearly emotional over her first title win in NXT. She also licked the title, because apparently championship gold now comes with seasoning. That was the end of the show.
Announced For Next Week’s NXT
- Natalya vs. Jaida Parker
- Women’s Speed Tournament begins
This was a productive night for NXT’s women’s division. Kendal Grey is officially set to challenge Lola Vice at Great American Bash, the Women’s Speed Tournament is beginning next week, and Zaria finally has championship gold in NXT.
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