WWE NXT TakeOver: XXX results - Io Shirai retains, and Rhea Ripley has lots of options

The return of Raquel González as Dakota Kai’s heater did more than just increase the likelihood she could beat NXT Women’s champ Io Shirai at TakeOver: XXX. It also pissed off Shirai.

Early on in their match on Sat., Aug. 22 at Full Sail Live, it looked like Kai and González were in Io’s head. The Captain of Team Kick’s kicks had The Genius of the Sky reeling, and her technical game left the champ with a damaged left arm. Shirai wouldn’t stay down, though.

A palm strike set up the Tiger Feint Kick, but then it was Dakota who wouldn’t stay down. She tried for a suplex off the apron, but ended up taking a stomp from Io.

Dakota fought back to lock in an armbar, and held it for a long time before the champ got a rope break. The champ then took a Go To Kick, but managed to get her foot on the bottom rope. Kai was frustrated, and that’s probably why a corner kick took out the referee instead of her opponent.

The champ it a moonsault from the top, but no one was there to count three. Raquel took advantage and attacked, reviving the referee after draping her friend over Shirai, but Io kicked out! The challenger was frustrated, and spent too much time showing it. That allowed Shirai to recover. She took out González and Kai with a moonsault to the floor, then ended the match with a second moonsault to Dakota.

Raquel was a sore loser, and blasted the champ from behind while she was celebrating. That brought out Rhea Ripley, and we got a huge staredown between two powerful women. González opted to back away when Dakota steered her up the ramp, but the seeds are planted.

The Nightmare continued to glare at the champ after the match, but Ripley has plenty of potential opponents lined up.

Whoever Rhea faces next, the belt stay with Io Shirai.

For a complete rundown of everything that happened in Orlando tonight, head to our live blog here.