5 Ups & 1 Down From This Week's NXT (March 21)
4. Still Real To Me, Dammit
Though the company have to be extremely careful with the 'Everything you see here is REAL, unlike all that other stuff!' mantra that Vince Russo dug his own grave in WCW with, Shayna Baszler's convincing dismantling of Dakota Kai was a fabulous exhibition of her cut-throat cruelty.
Baszler brushed aside Kai via stoppage before attempting to injure her arm further with a vicious-looking stomp and submission hold after the bell. Brushing off William Regal's post-battle b*llocking was an exquisitely understated way to end her night.
Women's Champion Ember Moon making the save suggested that the company may rush to book the match at TakeOver: Philadelphia, perhaps indicating a call-up for one or both of them as early as the Royal Rumble the next night or WrestleMania in April. Baszler's credibility (and well-known relationship with Ronda Rousey) stands her good stead to make a big splash on the biggest stage, particularly if she can harness her knack for nastiness against some of the featherlight faces on SmackDown Live! and Monday Night Raw.