After week of dynamic RAW and SmackDown Live, with whole women's divisions put on display in a in-ring and segments action, NXT decided to finished the week with an amazing almost 20 minutes Battle Royal with 15-established and future Superstars, with two special appearances.
We decided to separate our article in two. The first part will be about the fallen competitors in the early stage of the match. The article's gradation is from the least expected to win to those who were the pleasant surprise and were a real game-chagers - the best for us. I want to share my private disappointment about Danielle Kamela's and Deonna Purrazzo's missing. But at all it was great and there was that pleasant surprise.
RACHAEL EVERS /A.K.A. RACHAEL ELLERING
Yes, she is the daughter of the Authors of Pain manager Paul Ellering. I don't know what plans WWE has for her, but she was one of the names, who where something like a special guest. Of course this wasn't the first time we had seen Evers/Ellering in NXT. I hope it's not the lsat time. But she is young and her SHINE rivalry with Tessa Blanchard is far more good for her development. I hope to see this girl, Tessa Blanchard and Deonna Purrazzo in the future, working for WWE.
These days it's a little bit crowded and there are other women in the front row.
VICTORIA GONZALEZ
Victoria Gonzalez is a new recruit officially training in WWE Performance Center in Orlando. That's was her TV (taping) debut. According to IWD, she had only 4 matches, 2 wins at NXT Live Events.It was nice to see her and her Class peer Sarah Dobson/Bridges in the ring, in a #1 Contender's match. As we have revealed before we have a soft-spot for new faces!
The girl was good, powerful and dominant. At first I thought that she is Andrea/MaryKate, but then the commentators said her name. Really fresh and nice. I am happy that NXT has decided to give more TV time to their new recruits.
BIANCA BLAIR
We have a whole articles (*NOTE: click on one of the two words 'whole' or 'articles' to see them) involving Bianca and several others, that we want to see more often. Now it looks like NXT authorities have hear us and bring two of our wishlist-names in one match. Actually I didn't noticed Blair's appearance until she was eliminated earlier. The fact that she still didn't have a ring name, means that they still don't know how to debut her, on 100%.
But the fact is... the good news is that she is still there and sooner or later they will come up with some idea (we are willing to help 😀).
SONYA DEVILLE / A.K.A. DARIA BERENATO
Who's got a ring name?
That is a good sign. Daria Berenato finally has a ring name and it's specifically strange, and in latest name-fashion-manner. Sonya Deville. I'm happy that they didn't change her gimmick.
But the best part was her little brawl with Lacey Evans (Macey Estrella). They could use it to bring them as a rivals in the NXT official roster. Daria is part of WWE Tough Enough recruits in 2015, so it's her time to shine next to fellow Superstar Mandy Rose.
SARAH BRIDGES or SARAH DOBSON
/A.K.A. CRAZY MARY DOBSON
Another, talented and promising former-indie legend - Sarah Bridges, made her second official appearance as a signed trainee. Of course she had competed for NXT before, but now we saw her in a very promising light..
Bridges is one of the several indie legends, that we want to see more and we hope that WWE NXT will use properly. I don't know why they didn't allow her to enter the ring with her Crazy Mary gimmick. Her appearance was good and she messed with the Iconic Duo for a while in the last eve's match. We want to see more from her.
ALIYAH
Aliyah quickly grown up, from BG's little girl who's faith was unclear to a vital part in the NXT's women division. She even made her SmackDown Live One-Night stand match, like Billie Kay in the past.
Last eve she eliminated Rachael Evers. Several weeks ago, taming with her best-buddy Liv Morgan, she even received some payback against Iconic Aussies. In this battle royal, Nikki Cross, was the one who ended Aliyah attempt to become #1 Contender. But we already know what happened last time, when Asuka faced the youngest Superstar. It was brutal, so we are happy that it ends there. Keep the good work, Aliyah and you'll go far.
LACEY EVANS / MACEY ESTRELLA
Lacey is back and we start to get use with her gimmick. Her second official appearance, was good as the first one. She put a lot of fight in the match, but was eliminated.
Actually her conflict with Sonya Deville, may open the door for the two women, to compete in the main NXT roster. It will be nice to see more from her Classy image in the ring. She's really impressive.
CANDICE LeRAE
That was the biggest surprise in the match for me and every women's wrestling fan. Candice LeRae appeared in a WWE NXT's match. That's a little miracle, because in the past there were a rumors, that she didn't want to deal with then WWE's women's division. At first I counted far too many blondes in the ring, before realizing that one of them is Candice.
Now when we have a total women's wrestling Evolution in WWE, it's time for more skeptic talents from the indie scene to step in NXT or WWE ring. Candice LeRae is a great beginning! It was a really pleasant surprise, for many of us.
LIV MORGAN
We are entering the last three slots - the top participated, but eliminated competitors in the last night (pre-tape) #1 Contender's 15-Women Battle Royal for the NXT Women's Championship. After the surprising appearance of Candice LeRae... actually there were two other blondes and Liv Morgan, was one of them who represented the brand very well.
Liv fought in her manner, gave her 100%. We adore this youngster and her fellow Aliyah and we hope that they will continue to evolve. Maybe we can see Liv in RAW, next year. This girl always stuns me with her limitless desire to learn more and to display more. She was great, in this Battle Royal. Hope to see more action between her and Nikki Cross on TV, in the future.
KIMBERLY FRANKELE / A.K.A. KIMBER LEE
I think that one of the greatest additions to this match, from all of the new and old names, who was eliminated, was Kimberly. Her short but intensive encounter with Ruby Riot, was more than nice.
Kimberly is even bigger legend than Sarah Bridges. Her wrestling Odyssey is one of the experience bringing and name establishing. One of the Frankele's big advantages, aside of her experience and talent is that she knew many of the women, she is currently working from the indies. It's nice to see her in WWE, becaus it's the top of her career. Now we can hope to see the creatives using her properly and allowing her to shine bright in NXT and WWE.
THE ICONIC DUO
Billie Kay and Peyton Royce, once again worked great together and put their talents on display. At this point The Iconic Duo is one of the well established women teams, as SDL's team of Natalya, Carmella and Tamina /w. James Ellsworth/ is on the way to follow them. But at this point the two Australian Superstars are on top of the tag team game.
Billie and Peyton bring a lot of competition in the match, as usual. Their allied forces were biggest threat next to Nikki Cross' madness, Ruby Riot's explosive style and Ember Moon's devastating maneuvers. But the Iconic Duo has already got their chance against Asuka, and I think that we want to see more from Asuka vs. Ember Moon.
So that were all of the 12 eliminated competitors. In the afternoon we will have a special look over the winners. Yes, there are several winners and that is unique!
