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| The Qualified for the #1 Contender's Ladder Match on April 8th, on NXT (left to right): Candice LeRae, Mia Yim, Io Shirai, Tegan Nox, and Chelsea Green. The last spot will be determined in a 6-women Second Chance Gauntlet match on April 1st, NXT's episode. |
On April 8th, 2020, NXT episode we will see who will climb the ladder literally to win the chance to challenge for the WWE NXT Women's Championship. Who will be next in line for that huge opportunity?
At this point, we have 5 out of 6 taken places and we have the cream of the cake involved. 5 amazing women secured their spot: The high fly Evil of the Sky Io Shirai who jumped unexpectedly in the challenge, eventually eliminating Xia Li, before the Chinese Superstar even got a chance to enter the ring (or it was someone else like Vanessa Borne. Even more likely); The quickly, (but deserving) rising sensation - Chelsea Green who was the first one to take a spot; The ultimate fighter Mia Yim, who survived assaults from both Dakota Kai (officially) and Raquel Gonzalez (unofficially); The Girl with The Shiniest Wizard Tegan Nox; Finally, last entrant for this week Candice LeRae who is definitely on a roll since last years War Games and Survivor Series, at least we will see her rivalry with Shirai revived for this match.
But who will be the 6th Superstar to joining them in that huge event for NXT's women's division?
WWE NXT decided to give a second chance to one of the women who were defeated in the qualifications matches, which is an amazing idea. The better part, guys is that it is going to be a 6-women Second Chance GAUNTLET MATCH (for those whoa re catching with us now: Gauntlet match starts with two participants enters the ring, one being eliminated, then the winner faces next star in a next round battle. It's elimination after elimination or a package of five matches)
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| From left to right: Xia Li, Shotzi Blackheart, Kayden Carter, Dakota Kai, Deonna Purrazzo and Aliyah. |
I am so excited about this Second Chance match because it's sad to leave talents like Shotzi Blackheart and Dakota Kai, behind, without another more heated attempt to qualify. This was greatly decided.
But who's got the biggest chances to qualify in such a match?
For me, Xia Li is not ready for a title shot. Guys, she is an amazing athlete and martial art specialist, but her style is kind of ... all the same. She is an amazing rising Superstar, unique talent and THE FIRST Chinese woman signed to WWE, but she is not big enough, or high enough in the ranking. She got a long way to go.
Aliyah is the veteran in this gauntlet. We might see a lot of good well-refined wrestling from her. But, sadly I can't see her as the winner of the final spot. If somehow they push her to win it it will be sort of fake. I think that the NXT creative team should push her and Vanessa Borne forward as a team and even send them for the women's tag team gold in the future. It's always nice to see her, but - if she won, that would be a total fluke...
Most of you, who are familiar with our AWOW work, know how much we wanted Deonna Purrazzo signed in WWE. I was so excited and happy to see her in the NXT's roster because she is amazing. But then... Something went wrong? They started to use her when things are going too monotonous, or they remind themselves that there are a bunch of really talented women signed and sitting on the bench. I am so sad to announce that Purrazzo didn't have the Heat to go in a ladder match like this. She will be great, but she, Aliayah and Xia Li didn't have the heat and it's important. The idea of the business (most of the time), specifically in the booking is to send someone hot.
For example, Chelsea Green didn't have a lot of appearances in NXT's ring, she even loses matches, but she is a sensation and most importantly she is electrifying. Everyone loves her mean character. And she doesn't need to work hard to get heat. Or Tamina in SmackDown who build a lot of IT just with one simple phrase and a headbutt and a superkick. She literally jumped/kicked herself into the title picture. Well, Deonna and the other two previously mentioned didn't have that factor for this match and if they win it would be just another set up for the grand loss and they don't need that. They need to help others waiting for the right time to shine.
Kayden Carter is amazing and so charismatic. But... :( ... She's not ready. They book her really well for her position, as a lower carder and the push is coming, but it's not going to be next Wednesday. But I expect her to do really amazing stuff on her own that will be the foundation for the better future that she deserves. We have a lot of respect for her and we are following her development with excitement.
So, let's make this short. Shotzi Blackheart is too fresh, but she is super, ultra-talented and that's why she is so often booked in matches. She's a total winner even when she lost because she has won our respect and hearts since day one. As much as I am not 100% sure that she might win, I have nothing against it. But I think that it would be better if we see her reaching the final round of the gauntlet and eventually losing to Dakota Kai...
Kai did a great heel turn! Masterpiece! And we need her and Raquel in this important match. We need more of her rivalry with Nox. Actually, Dakota will have a three great nemesis in the ladder match - Tegan, Mia Yim, and Candice LeRae, as well, so we might see some alliances between the three heels in the both. I hope to see her (or Shotzi, somehow) qualifying because this is the best decision. She's got the heat, the rivalries, the roll to be in this match with some really good chances to win it!
What do you think about this? Share in the comments below...
