10 Best NXT TakeOver Matches Of 2017

8. Asuka Vs Ember Moon (Orlando)

Scott Dawson Rezar Johnny Gargano
WWE.com

Ahead of her first crack at the unbeaten Asuka's NXT Women's Title, Ember Moon promised to 'take the division back'. It was the type of grand statement required to somehow inject some believability into her chase. As Asuka's reign grew, so too did the unlikeliness of a challenger ever reaching a point at which they could realistically dethrone her.

Asuka had spent months showcasing the countless ways she could destroy just about anybody that came within a fingernail's scrape of her prestigious title since breezing past Bayley a year earlier, but the challenger needed only one. Her 'Eclipse' finisher (a diving corkscrew Stone Cold Stunner) was potent match-winning weapon that seemed to be the one finisher that was actually 'Ready For Asuka'.

Borrowing an artistic crutch from the maiden Kenny Omega/Kazuchika Okada encounter from January's Wrestle Kingdom 11, 'The Empress Of Tomorrow' simply found a way to stop her using it.

Driven to desperation when she couldn't push Ember to the back of the queue with submissions and strikes, the Champion peered into the dark side for the very first time in her NXT career. Pushing the referee onto the ropes as Moon scaled the corner, the challenger slipped before striking the killer blow. With both the official and her opponent rattled, Asuka almost removed the challenger's head off a kick and retained her treasured crown.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett