New Champion Crowned On WWE NXT
But which title changed hands?
Dec 19, 2019
On last night's episode of NXT, Adam Cole defended his NXT Championship against Finn Balor.
Adam Cole ultimately retained his title after Johnny Gargano distracted Balor, allowing the leader of The Undisputed ERA to deliver the Last Shot for the pinfall victory.
In the main event, Shayna Baszler and Rhea Ripley continued their long rivalry, with the Australian finally getting a shot at the NXT Women's Championship.
After a back and forth contest, Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir made their way to the ringside area, tipping the match in the champion's favour. They quickly distracted Ripley and despite the challenger delivering a somersault senton to three of the Four Horsewomen, Baszler quickly regained her advantage. The Queen of Spades then showed her sadistic nature as she targetted Ripley's hands and fingers.
During the advert break, Duke and Shafir were ejected from ringside after they attacked Ripley in front of the referee. Despite the removal of her friends, Baszler remained firmly in control. As the champion delivered kicks to the challenger, Ripley countered and dropkicked her opponent into the referee.
Ripley then picked The Queen of Spades up and hit her with Riptide, but there was no referee to count the pin. As the challenger tried to rouse the official, Baszler took advantage and slid a steel chair into the ring. Moments later, the champion delivered a DDT onto the unforgiving steel.
The referee then suddenly regained consciousness and crawled across the ring as Baszler covered her opponent. Before his hand slapped the mat for the third time, however, Ripley lifted her shoulder up.
With the challenger weakened, Baszler lived up to her nickname as the Submission Magician as she locked in the Kirifuda Clutch for almost two minutes. As Ripley faded, the referee checked her arm for signs of life, but before it could hit the mat, the challenger grabbed the official, powered out, and locked Baszler in the Prism.
The champion was able to escape, however, and lifted Ripley onto the top rope after delivering a devastating knee. As Baszler taunted her opponent from the top rope, Ripley answered with a headbutt, allowing her enough time to deliver an avalanche Riptide.
The Australian then sprawled to make the pin and covered her opponent for the 1-2-3, as the NXT crowd erupted in celebration.
With that, Rhea Ripley was crowned NXT Women's Champion.
