10 Best NXT Matches Of 2019 (So Far)
9. Shayna Baszler Vs Bianca Belair (TakeOver: Phoenix)
Shayna Baszler's TakeOver matches are entirely at odds with virtually everything else on the celebrated cards for how one-sided she promises they'll be. Surrounded by battles rich in spirit and competitive fire, Baszler's modus operandi is always to stub out the flame of her opponents before they even have the chance to engulf her. At January's Phoenix supercard, she was forced to engage in some stature-enhancing sh*thousery to extinguish Bianca Belair's unbeaten streak.
'The EST Of NXT' refused to comply to Baszler's destructive dominance early on, reframing her arrogance as bravery and her inexperience as an iron will. Rattled, 'The Queen Of Spades' resorted to the sort of shortcuts her character refused to acknowledge because of the weakness they reflected - panic, concern, consternation, fear.
Brilliantly, the chaos caused by Four Horsewomen sh*t-disturbers Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke didn't phase Belair, but the loss of match structure late on did. The Challenger had gleefully leapt over top of the banana skins, only to slip on the biggest one she'd tried to hide - her own unpreparedness.
It was only in that moment of weakness that Baszler - given split seconds to refocus - could lock on her Kirifuda Clutch and claim the contest as another trophy. The relief in her eyes was apparent despite yet another crucial element that kept her atop the her opponent - the ability to mask the fright.