9 Ups And 3 Downs From WWE NXT Takeover: Brooklyn

By Scott Carlson /

6. Hug It Out

Some will say that the extracurriculars after the NXT Women€™s Championship match was a huge break of character and protocol. If you missed it, Sasha Banks re-entered the ring moments after losing her title to Bayley. The new champ already was celebrating with Charlotte and Becky Lynch. Banks walked over and hugged her bitter rivals, the four embracing and raising each other€™s arms. If you were watching for the first time, you€™d be hard-pressed to realize that they aren€™t supposed to like each other. But to those who think this is a €œdown,€ you€™re flat wrong. Mutual respect is something that even heels can show to their opponents. It doesn€™t have to be face-versus-face matches where there€™s a respect handshake or hug afterward.There€™s no rule, written or otherwise, that says a villain can€™t respect their opponent. If anything, it helps a character be more complete. Banks showing respect doesn€™t €œexpose the business€ or any foolishness like that. It shows that she€™s not a one-dimensional heel. Yes, there are bad guys who would never shake their opponent€™s hand (Kevin Owens immediately comes to mind), but that doesn€™t mean no one can. Besides all of that, this was a pure, emotional moment, something WWE couldn€™t manufacture on its best day. That makes it even more special.