The Pirate Princess is sailing away from NXT with a controversial loss.
Last night's NXT episode showed us the NXT Women's Title put on the line in the Main Event. Actually, everything that happened in the match was suitable for NXT TV main event. Even the end. It looks like when the Queen of Spades and her henchwomen are around the match always ends in a controversial fashion.
All I can say for sure is that now the door is open for an Avenging Angel storyline.
WWE NXT WOMEN'S CHAMPION SHAYNA BASZLER /w. MARINA SHAFIR & JESSAMYN DUKE/ defeated KAIRI SANE,
in a TITLE MATCH WITH STIPULATION: IF SANE IS DEFEATED SHE WON'T HAVE MORE TITLE OPPORTUNITIES IN NXT
Well, this match was above 'usual'. I actually love the chemistry between Kairi and Shayna and I am glad that this will be Sane's farewell match, despite the end. Kairi dominated most of the time, Baszler used her solid tactic that helped her to retain her belt - the golden rule 'Capitalize on every mistake, that your opponent might do'. Baszler did it. She used Sane's elbow injury to torture and took advantage.
For me, the other curious part was that Duke and Shafir didn't interfere in the match. That was a nice and interesting change. Even when Shayna was locked in Kairi's submission, they just walked around in fear but didn't jump on the ropes.
And here comes the controversy. In the end, Kairi was agonizing outside the ring and referee, doctor and Io Shirai were checking on her, before Baszler pulled her challenger back on the mat, ready to add more insult to the injury. Then Io Shirai friendship with Sane took a toll and The Genius of the Sky interfered, for the save. That, of course, cost Kairi's match, as Shayna retained her belt via DQ.
Shirai's interference not only took away Sane's future NXT Women's title shot opportunities, but it didn't prevent the harm on Kairi, that followed. Shafir and Duke pulled out Shirai and forced her to watch, how Baszler is stomping Sane's elbow, the same way she did that to Dakota Kai and several others.
Recap:
As I said - That was a great way to send away Kairi Sane from NXT. She technically didn't lose the match, she was disqualified. Well, the DQ counts, no matter what.
Personally, I am not mad at Io. We heard a lot about these two Japanese Superstars friendship and it was logical Shirai to save her friend at any cost. I think that this was re-opening of The Genius of The Sky vs. The Queen of Spade's battle, while we waiting for Candice LeRae to step forward as well. I will love to see Shirai's title picture involvement developing in the future and I hope to see her winning the belt after several opportunities.
Now with Kairi Sane sailing away to SmackDown, the door is open for more opportunities and new entries to the roster (Like Kacy Catanzaro and Lacey Lane). Save sailing, Kairi! Io will avenge you!
