What's up everyone I'm Mackenzie Mitchell for WWE NOW and tonight on NXT not one,
but two titles will be on the line and I'm here to break it all down.
>> In my one year of experience, I have surpassed every single
one of your accomplishments in your entire career.
>> And in one night, one night, I will end your championship reign.
>> After weeks of aggressions, Mercedes Martinez will finally get her chance to
dethrone the NXT Women's Champion Raquel Gonzalez when they meet face to face in
the ring tonight.
Since winning the NXT Women's Championship against Io Shirai last month at
NXT TakeOver Stand and Deliver, Gonzalez has quickly learned what it's like to be
hunted with Mercedes Martinez immediately putting a target on the champions back.
But Big Mommy Cool has made it crystal clear to Martinez that she doesn't plan on
giving up the gold anytime soon.
All eyes will be on Raquel Gonzalez when she makes her first title defense tonight.
However, history may be smiling on her chances.
[SOUND] Of the previous 12 NXT women's champions,11
retain the title in the first defense.
The only exception WWE Evolution in 2018 when Shayna Baszler
recaptured the championship from Kyrie Sane.
When you take a look back,
the NXT Women's Champion has retained the last five title defenses on an NXT TV.
But never say never, Rhea Ripley gave us one of the most memorable moments in
the history of the black and
gold brand when she beat Shayna Baszler in December of 2019.
It's safe to say that Gonzales has proved to be at the top of the women's division.
Martinez has nearly been just as dominant though going six in one in one on one
matches since her return to NXT in 2020.
Something's got to give when the two most feared women in NXT collide tonight.
>> Kushida ripe for the picking.
>> Looking for the Phantom Driver.
Escobar can't catch him countered by Kushida.
Shoulders down, shoulders down counter by the champion.
What a counter it is.
Near fall, Kushida cinches in.
>> No.
[SOUND] [NOISE] >> Here is your winner he new
NXT Cruiserweight Champion, Kushida.
>> My word I cannot believe we won.
Santos Escobar [NOISE] new
champion Kushida.
>> From one Championship match to another last month Kushida shot the entire
WWE Universe by winning the NXT Cruiserweight Championship
against Santos Escobar when he issued an open challenge.
But tonight the rematch will look much different.
For the first time ever the NXT Cruiserweight Championship will be
defended in a 2-out-of-3 falls match.
This matchup will mark the first 2-out-of-3 falls matches on NXT TV
since 2016.
The last time we saw this type of match was Johnny Gargano versus Adam Paul for
the NXT title at NXT TakeOver Toronto 2019 two years ago.
And this will only be the 11th time a two out of three falls match will take place
in the history of the black and gold brand.
If the past is any indication that good things may be in store for
Kushida in the five NXT two out of three falls matches with a title on the line,
defending champions came away with a three in two record.
However, this will be the first such match feature in the NXT Cruiserweight title.
Kushida already has one successful title event under his belt,
knocking out Oney Lorcan in an open challenge of his own three weeks ago.
But his track record in NXT is still building toward that of Escobar,
who enjoyed one of the most dominant runs on the black and
gold brand over the last year.
Before losing to kushida, the Emperor of Lucia was seven and in title matches,
defeating six different opponents including Jordan Devlin in a jaw dropping
ladder match at NXT TakeOver Stand and Deliver.
But we have to wonder will Escobar come to the ring with a different strategy
prepared this time with reclaiming the title or not?
So who will be standing tall with the gold tonight when the dust settles
catch these two can't miss matches tonight and so
much more on NXT at 8/7 Central on the USA Network.
[MUSIC]