NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai joins North American Champion Damian Priest against Candice LeRae & Johnny Gargano
Can NXT’s “First Couple” carve out an early advantage ahead of their championship matches at NXT TakeOver 31?
Find out Wednesday night on NXT as NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai teams with NXT North American Champion Damian Priest to face TakeOver opponents Candice LeRae & Johnny Gargano.
LeRae won last week’s No. 1 Contender’s Battle Royal to clinch her long-awaited NXT Women’s Title opportunity, while NXT General Manager William Regal announced Gargano earlier this month as Priest’s latest challenger.
Gargano fired the first shot at Priest last week when he ambushed The Archer of Infamy, blasting him with a superkick and mocking his signature pose following Priest’s victory over Austin Theory.
LeRae, meanwhile, has had her eyes set on Shirai’s championship for quite some time.
Which duo will seize a crucial victory before NXT TakeOver 31?
Shotzi Blackheart to square off with Dakota Kai after Battle Royal dust-up
Dakota Kai had her sights set on another opportunity at the NXT Women’s Title, but Shotzi Blackheart had other plans.
The two will go one-on-one after crossing paths in last week’s No. 1 Contender’s Battle Royal.
As two of the final three Superstars remaining, Kai targeted Blackheart with a running facewash kick, but she found herself hung up on the rope as Shotzi dodged her attack before dumping her over the top rope.
Blackheart, who impressed earlier this month in a singles bout with NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai, fought valiantly before being the final competitor eliminated by winner Candice LeRae.
LeRae may have vaulted to the front of the line with her victory, but this matchup figures to have serious ramifications for the NXT Women’s Title picture going forward. Who will claim victory?