NXT crowned its first women's champion in 2013, with a tournament featuring some of the top young females in the industry. The finals of that tournament pitted Paige and Emma against each other in a match many considered the best women's match of the year. What better way to showcase the female talent of NXT for its Arrival special on WWE Network than by pairing those two up for a much-anticipated rematch? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYAtvX48xZY Preceded by video packages putting over the competitive rivalry, not to mention the women themselves, the bout was one of the most hyped of the card. Thus, there was a tremendous amount of pressure on Paige to prove why she was viewed as the next face of the Divas division and Emma, to prove that she was one of the more underappreciated workers in all of WWE's developmental brand. Working a submission-based style throughout the contest, the women delivered on the promise the commentators had made for an outstanding match. In the end, Paige overcame the tremendous challenge of her opponent, applied the Scorpion Crosslock (aka PTO) and scored the tapout victory. The reaffirmed management's faith in the young women and, by the time the first Raw after WrestleMania rolled around, both would be members of the main roster.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
