If you hadn't expected this one coming it looks like we are watching WWE NXT in totally different ways!
As I mentioned earlier in a tweet, Dakota Kai is a "Heel Turns Master" or Queen, or etc. whatever suits you. After her amazingly vicious turn on her team at NXT TakeOver: WarGames in 2019 and attacked her longtime friend and tag team partner Tegan Nox, Kai continued to build a name as one of the top heels in WWE NXT. Her alliance with Raquel Gonzalez only added more heat to her vicious persona. They even reached the point where both were crowned Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Tournament winners and later as the inaugural NXT Women's Tag Team Champions for less than a day. Dakota has always been one of the meanest and dedicated competitors since her first turn trying to prove herself, constantly as someone worthy for the NXT Women's gold. She has the moves, but there was something that was never enough, or... maybe it wasn't her time yet.
Raquel Gonzalez debuted by interfering in Kai's match against Tegan Nox at NXT Takeover: Portland in 2020, helping Kai to defeat her rival. Since then Gonzalez slowly grew up from New Zealand's Superstars bodyguard-like figure to her equal teammate. Until Raquel did what Kai was dreaming for a long time. On April 7th, NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver, Gonzalez, defeated the reigning champion Io Shirai for the top award of the NXT women's division - the women's title belt!
Kai hides her feelings and displayed in front of the NXT Universe her full support for Raquel. And that alliance continued until July 27th, this year, when Kai turned on Gonzalez and attacked her brutally. And now, after weeks of teasing and arguing with one another, we are coming to closure at NXT Takeover 36.
PREDICTIONS:
It's hard to say anything that this one is promising to be one of the heated matches this weekend. Former friends turned enemy! We haven't seen this for a long time. here they are.
I am not sure if Raquel is going to lose her title yet, despite Dakota being fed up with important wins like her last one over Sarray (ending Sarray's undefeated streak). But Kai has the abilities, talent, and desire to overcome the odds, as well as Raquel, has all the strength and power to withstand that challenge.
In general, it doesn't matter who will leave the arena as a champion. Dakota is sort of a year ahead veteran before Raquel with more appearances and experience in the NXT programming. Gonzalez is talented and has total domination. Both have the potential to be Champions and maybe it's time for a switch... I think that Dakota will bring more dynamics and will be more competitive in the current environment with the current roster.
I am giving: Dakota Kai - 49% chance to win and Raquel Gonzalez (c) - 51% chance to retain, as unofficially I want to state that I will be happy to see Dakota as the new women's champion! We'll see on Sunday, on WWE Network and Peacock US! Don't miss it!
