6 Ups & 1 Down From Last Night's WWE NXT (Apr 18)

3. Hail To The Queen

Shayna Baszler
Twitter, @WWENXT

WWE are onto something with Shayna Baszler. Her TakeOver bout with Ember Moon was fantastic, and much of this was down to the 'Queen Of Spades.' She's the most credible bully in the women's division, and someone whose MMA pedigree adds to her aura of intimidation, but it was her in-ring storytelling that stood out the most. Who else in the company would think to ram their shoulder into the turnbuckle to fix a dislocation?!

But more than a great wrestler, Baszler is now a well-rounded performer. She flexed her pedigree with a fine backstage segment last night. Barging into the women's locker-room, she tore Ember Moon's name from her old space, then told the others to get in line. This prompted Dakota Kai to get up and leave, angering 'The Queen,' which will presumably lead to a title fight between the two.

Short, snappy, and effective, the segment further enhanced Shayna's status as the alpha. WWE have set her up as an indomitable bully, which guarantees a major rub for whoever ends up toppling her. Will that be Kai? It's still way too early, but let's see how this budding rivalry develops.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.