The road to Stand & Deliver is heating up, Stephanie Vaquer defend her NXT Womens North American Championship against Karmen Petrovic, Jordynne Grace and Roxanne Perez spark a heated confrontation. Lets break it all down!
NXT Womens North American Championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Karmen Petrovic (w/Ashante Thee Adonis)
Karmen started strong with a crucifix pin attempt, but Vaquer escaped and quickly locked in a punishing arm submission. Karmen responded with a running elbow and a Slingblade-like maneuver for a near fall, then followed up with a sliding kick that earned another two-count. Vaquer took control with a brutal backbreaker and a suplex, then delivered a running leg drop for a close fall. When Vaquer went for a charging attack, Karmen sidestepped, sending the champion crashing to the outside. Seizing the moment, Karmen launched herself through the ropes with a suicide dive that took out Vaquer on the floor.
Back from the break, Karmen kept the momentum rolling with a stiff clothesline for two. She hammered Vaquer with knee strikes to the ribs, but the champion countered with a surprise roll-up for a near fall. Vaquer bounced back with a high-impact crossbody, but Karmen rolled through and nailed a strong right hand. Trading heavy strikes, Karmen caught Vaquer with a handspring hurricanrana off the ropes, followed by a spinning kick that nearly ended it.
Vaquer fought back, hitting a jawbreaker before lighting up Karmens chest with rapid-fire chops. A belly-to-back suplex put Karmen down, and Vaquer followed up with her signature knee drop comboone that Booker T always raves about. The fans erupted with Stephanie chants as Vaquer landed a running knee strike for a two-count.
Karmen wasnt done yet, though. She dodged a charging attack and fired back with a superkick as Vaquer went for a springboard move, nearly securing the upset. They exchanged forearm shots and headbutts, with Vaquer ultimately trapping Karmen in the corner for a devastating dragon screw leg whip. With Karmen stunned, Vaquer hoisted her up and delivered the SVB backbreaker onto the knee for the pinfall victory.
Winner by pinfall: Stephanie Vaquer (Still NXT Womens North American Champion)
A fantastic first defense for Vaquer, who continues to prove why she is one of NXTs most polished in-ring performers. Karmen has made noticeable strides in recent months and showed she can hang in a high-profile match. Expect even bigger things from her soon.
The celebration was short-lived, as NXT Womens Champion Giulia made her way to the ring. Face-to-face with Vaquer, Giulia congratulated her but made it clearshes the best champion in NXT. Vaquer, never one to back down, fired back by calling herself the champion of champions. The tension rose as both women raised their titles.
TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace took the stage to reflect on her journey in NXT, stating that from the moment she stepped into a WWE ring last year, she knew where she belonged. Grace didnt mince wordsshe called herself a force that has shaken the foundation of NXT and made it clear that her goal is to become a champion here.
Enter Roxanne Perez, who interrupted with a smirk. Perez claimed that every top female wrestler knows NXT is the place to be and declared that she put the division on her back over the past year. This is still my division, Perez stated confidently, before pointing out that Grace failed to beat her at Battleground. Grace wasnt having it, and before Perez could talk more, Grace decked her with a stiff right hand. Perez narrowly avoided further damage and bailed to ringside.
Other Moments from NXT:
Next weeks card is already shaping up:
Kelani Jordan vs. Jaida Parker
Sol Ruca & Zaria vs. Chelsea Green & Piper Niven Will Green & Niven regain their dominance?
With Giulia vs. Vaquer showdown looming, Roxanne Perez participating in the chamber this weekend, and Jordynne Grace ready to shake things up, NXTs womens division is once again evolving into its next era. Sound off in the comments below!
