For only the second time in NXT history, the Women’s title main-evented a TakeOver at June 7’s In Your House.
As she entered for her Triple Threat with Rhea Ripley and Io Shirai, Women’s champion Charlotte Flair faced the prospect of losing her title without being pinned or submitted. That’s why it was somewhat surprising when The Queen bailed at the bell, allowing the challengers to start the fight. It was a trap, of course, and she quickly attacked Ripley from behind. After swinging her WrestleMania opponent into the barricade...
She is a wrathful queen. #NXTTakeOver @MsCharlotteWWE @RheaRipley_WWE pic.twitter.com/UtI3Y1vo1A
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) June 8, 2020
...Flair went for Shirai, but after heaping on punishment, she was unable to get the Japanese Superstar to tap out to a Boston crab.
The Nightmare recovered and re-entered the fray, and the pace was fast & furious with all three wrestlers a part of the action for the second act. The next stretch began with the Genius of the Sky trapped in a Figure Four. The Aussie pulled Charlotte to the floor by her hair, and Shirai flattened them with a tope.
This is an absolute WAR for the #WWENXT #WomensTitle at #NXTTakeOver: In Your House!!@MsCharlotteWWE @RheaRipley_WWE @shirai_io pic.twitter.com/noGx0qOlW9
— WWE (@WWE) June 8, 2020
Flair through Io through the window portion of the set, but while her opponents brawled, she climbed to the roof of the porch.
A soaring crossbody flattened them both!
She the sky. ☁️#NXTTakeOver @shirai_io @RheaRipley_WWE @MsCharlotteWWE pic.twitter.com/SzFgPE1wU9
— WWE (@WWE) June 8, 2020
Ripley seemed to have both Charlotte (after a super Riptide) and Shirai (in a Prism Trap), but both where broken up - the latter with a Flair kendo stick attack. But when The Queen again tried to end Rhea with the Figure Eight, Io climbed. And with a mighty moonsault that appeared to connect knee-to-skull on Ripley, she scored the pin!
KEEP YOUR EYES ON IO SHIRAI.
— WWE (@WWE) June 8, 2020
Sorry, keep your eyes on our NEW #WWENXT #WomensChampion @shirai_io!!!!! #NXTTakeOver #AndNew @MsCharlotteWWE @RheaRipley_WWE pic.twitter.com/f0dMDLrnBq
A very Japan-like streamer celebration followed, and we have a new NXT Women’s champ.
For a complete rundown of everything that happened in Orlando tonight, head to our live blog here.