NXT TakeOver 36 results: Raquel Gonzalez too strong for Dakota Kai

What’s better than having friends?

Being successful.

Sometimes the latter comes at the cost of the former. That’s the route Dakota Kai tried to take when she turned on Raquel Gonzalez to set up a shot at the NXT women’s championship at TakeOver 36 tonight (Sun., Aug. 22, 2021) at the Capitol Wrestling Center in Orlando, Florida.

It’s just too bad it failed.

The match itself was a battle of strength vs. strategy, size vs. technique, Gonzalez’s desire for retribution contrasted with Kai’s lust for gold. Gonzalez would try to powerbomb her opponent and Kai would snag an arm on the way down and try to work an armbar. There were moments Kai had complete control, enough so that you would think she was the superior of the two.

In the end, though, Gonzalez was simply too strong.

Kai seemed to be poised to win, but a kick in the corner saw Gonzalez lift her up by her leg, and hit her finish from the second rope. That was enough to get the three count to retain her title.

After, former NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray hit the stage to make her presence felt.

A new challenger has emerged.

Get complete NXT TakeOver 36 results and coverage of every match on the card right here.