WWE switched both the NXT Women's Championship and NXT Championship at NXT Takeover Rival on Wednesday night. The changes mark a major change in direction for NXT, with Sasha Banks and Kevin Owens now Champions. Previously, WWE had only booked lengthy NXT Title reigns. However, Sami Zayn dropped the belt to Owens after just a two month reign. In the women's division, Charlotte had been Champion for 258 days, so the move to Sasha Banks is notable for freshening up that division. Banks won the title in a good match over Charlotte, Bayley and Becky Lynch. Both Bayley and Lynch looked good in the action, and will provide Banks with months of entertaining feuds. Banks is charismatic and looks great. She's impressive in the ring and will undoubtedly impress as Champion. She deserves this run. As for Charlotte, she's the best female athlete in WWE. It could be time for her to step up to the main roster. Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio reports that "there's some in the company who are sold on her, and others who are not." Kevin Owens was booked like Brock Lesnar and destroyed Sami Zayn, eventually forcing a referee stoppage. In this instance, it meant a title change. Zayn's selling was fantastic and Owens came off like a very big deal. It was the right storyline decision, as Zayn can chase the title back over the coming months. Owens' next match will be against Finn Balor, after the Irishman defeated Adrian Neville in a number one contender bout. Neville was fantastic in the match, demonstrating agility and athleticism that is unmatched in the WWE. It was another impressive night for NXT and the brand is now consistently outshining WWE's main shows. That has to be considered both a positive and a negative in some ways.
