Opinion
NXT Minus 6: Takeover…The Backup Plan (Part 2)
Bradley Jay is back with Part 2 of his 5 part series for NXT Takeover Tampa. This time around, we look at the women of NXT Takeover!
Bradley Jay is back with Part 2 of his 5 part series for NXT Takeover Tampa. This time around, we look at the women of NXT Takeover!
Takeover Tampa isn’t happening. That’s OK. Here’s a backup plan. I’ve chosen six matches from five categories. Pick one from each & you’ll have a mighty fine DIY Takeover. I haven’t seen every Takeover, so these lists aren’t definitive. Also, I’m not ranking the matches because the goal isn’t to argue over what is better. The goal is to enjoy some of the best wrestling from the brief but fertile history of the Black & Gold Standard. Today, we look at the women.
In NXT, the women were finally given the same opportunity as the men to grab the brass ring. That’s exactly what they did. Since the Four Horsewomen, NXT has been praised for having the best women’s division in all of wrestling. Here’s a sample.

Asuka versus Dana Brooke, Takeover Respect
This was the NXT debut of Asuka. She immediately showed that she was faster, sharper and better than any other female on the roster. Not quite a squash, but it’s still a thrill to watch Asuka humble, shame and destroy her opponent. And that smile…

Shayna Baszler versus Nikki Cross, Takeover Chicago
NXT Nikki is a wonderful character. She’s the girl in high school you are secretly hot for and openly afraid of. Her match with the Queen of Spades is Nikki at her crazy, unhinged best. Of course, Baszler is great as a heartless killer and feeds Nikki a steady diet of brutal knee strikes. This match is an underrated gem.

Sasha Banks versus Becky Lynch, Takeover: Unstoppable
The birth of The Man. This is where Becky first showed the grit and toughness that launched her to the top. Any time the crowd gives the loser a standing ovation, you know you’ve seen something special. Also, it’s my daughter Charlotte’s second favorite match. She’s 8.

Fatal 4 Way, Takeover: Rivals
This is a great example of a well booked match. At the time, Charlotte was easily the shining star of the Four Horsewomen. How do you even the playing field? Turn it into a 3 on 1. Everybody got to shine, and they all did so at the expense of the Queen.

Shayna Baszler versus Kairi Sane, Takeover: War Games II
And here is a great example of the long term storytelling that NXT is known for. These two first met in the Mae Young Classic, a year before this match. Their rivalry gradually grew more intense and personal, culminating in this 2-out-of-3 scorcher. The first two falls are so good I’m willing to cut them some slack for the messy and cluttered final fall.

Sasha Banks versus Bayley, Takeover: Brooklyn
Around the time of this match, I was fading away from wrestling. I had lost interest. I give Sasha & Bayley 100% credit for making me a wrestling fan again. I’ve watched it a half dozen times and shed a tear for Bayley every time. Also, it’s my daughter Charlotte’s favorite match. And to top it all off, Banks was only 23 at the time of this masterpiece.
Prior Back-Up Plan articles:
- Part 1 – Tag Team Matches
Up next: Grudge Matches
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Opinion
Chris King: Is Brock Lesnar Truly Retired?
Brock Lesnar retired at WWE WrestleMania 42, right? Are we totally sure? Chris King asks…
Brock Lesnar retired at WWE WrestleMania 42, right? Are we totally sure? Chris King asks…
At WrestleMania 42, ‘The Beast Incarnate’ Brock Lesnar took off his boots and gloves following his loss to Oba Femi. Lesnar has done it all inside of his twenty-four-year career in professional wrestling. He’s a ten-time WWE Champion and former UFC Heavyweight Champion, and he’s one who ended The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania.
While Lesnar was in the ring, he was visibly overwhelmed with emotion and crying while he thanked the fans in his own way. The Beast even threw up an x to signal to Paul Heyman, his longtime friend and advocate, that this was not scripted and was real. There had been rumors that Lesnar and Oba were supposed to have a series of matches before everything went down at Mania.
‘The Career Killer’ Gunther was doing Heyman’s bidding as he faced Seth Rollins for a favor. For a while now since Gunther retired Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles, the rumor has been Gunther was set to retire Lesnar in his hometown at this year’s SummerSlam event. There’s been no confirmation if Lesnar is truly retired, but on this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown, we saw Heyman talking with General Manager Nick Aldis. Later that night following Rhodes’ match against the debuting Ricky Saints, Gunther choked out the WWE Champion. Could this be the favor from Heyman?
I know in the world of professional wrestling we live by the mantra of “never say never,” but what if Lesnar is actually retired and this was WWE’s way of shutting down those rumors about Gunther and Lesnar? What if Gunther’s next program is chasing after the WWE title, and where is Randy Orton at in all of these plans? There are so many questions that need to be answered, hopefully soon!
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Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)
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Opinion
Chris King: Defend The Intercontinental Championship At Backlash!
With WWE Backlash upon us, Chris King wants to see Penta defend the Intercontinental Championship in Tampa!
With WWE Backlash upon us, Chris King wants to see Penta defend the Intercontinental Championship in Tampa!
This year’s annual Backlash showcase is only a few days away, and while there are many big matches announced, one that definitely should be isn’t on the card. In my opinion, outside of Roman Reigns/Jacob Fatu and Seth Rollins/Bron Breakker, the Intercontinental Championship scene has been stellar over the last month.
Penta has been an excellent champion, especially after his triumphant title defense in a ladder match against JeVon Evans, Rusev, Dragon Lee, and the Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 42. Their ladder match at Mania was one of the best that WWE has produced in a while.
The momentum never stopped, as on the post-Mania episode of Monday Night Raw, ‘All Ego’ Ethan Page made his debut and was quickly inserted into the Intercontinental title scene. Page had a fantastic showing against his longtime NXT rival Evans and picked up a big win in his debut match thanks to an assist from Rusev.
All Ego immediately joined forces with ‘The Bulgarian Brute’ Rusev, who was also vying for the Intercontinental Title in his own right. On this week’s episode of Raw, Page and Rusev defeated Evans and Penta. All Ego pinned the champion, making a huge statement and putting him one step closer to getting a title shot. For the past few weeks I’ve been anxiously waiting to see if WWE was going to add this incredible fatal four-way match for the Intercontinental Championship, but it hasn’t happened yet.
As much as the WWE Universe enjoys witnessing great matches on free television, I truly believe all four superstars deserve the chance to showcase their talents on the PLE. While Penta has done a terrific job as the intercontinental champion, it’s time for a fresh face to hold the prestigious title. Page would make a great braggadocious heel that would help elevate the Intercontinental Championship to new heights!
Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - 4 Corners Podcast (sports)
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THURSDAY - Nefarious Means
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Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)
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