8 Ups And 2 Downs For WWE NXT (Apr 27)

Ups...

8. Gonzalez Takes Matters Into Her Own Hands

Determined to beat Dakota Kai out of the equation that is current NXT Women's Champion Raquel Gonzalez, Mercedes Martinez would get the chance to pulverise The Captain of Team Kick in the show-opener this week.

Kai's ability to disarm and destabilise the former RETRIBUTION member made for a surprisingly compelling encounter, with Martinez having to reach down deep into her arsenal - pulling out a wicked Cliffhanger and three double-underhook suplexes in a row - to keep the resilient NXT stalwart from coming back for more.

Inevitably, Gonzalez's presence at ringside led to a confrontation between Big Mami Cool and Martinez, an exchange which ultimately opened the door for a DQ finish thanks to Gonzalez nailing her future opponent with a monstrous boot to her chops as she looked to seal the win.

Now usually, your writer - along with the vast majority of NXT's audience - isn't one to celebrate a screwy finish. However, on this occasion, it may have actually been the wisest choice. Having Gonzalez obliterate Martinez after such a dominant display successfully re-established the Champion as a ruthless heel who will stop at nothing to ensure she is the top woman in the arena at any given time. Also, Kai failing to get the job done adds another crack to the two's relationship, something you can bet Gonzalez won't be forgetting anytime soon.

And to top it all off, Triple H may have just found a way to turn Mercedes Martinez into a sympathetic babyface before her title bout with Gonzalez in two week's time. Who had that on their 2021 bingo card?