The June 9 episode of WWE NXT saw Zaria emerge as the new NXT Women’s North American Champion after defeating Tatum Paxley. The victory caps off a rivalry that had been building for several weeks.
Things started on May 19 when Paxley defended the championship against Lizzy Rain. After the match, Zaria attacked both women and made it clear she wanted the title.
The rivalry heated up even more on June 2 when she defeated Lizzy Rain. After trying to continue the attack, she was confronted by Paxley, who eventually granted her a title match.
Zaria wins her first singles championship in NXT
The match started at a fast pace, with Zaria almost winning within seconds after hitting Paxley with a huge spear. Paxley gradually fought her way back. She landed a superkick, a slingshot stomp, and even a moonsault off the apron to regain momentum. But the challenger had already recovered and tried to overpower the champion, but Paxley slipped free and responded with a big boot and a step-up DDT.
Paxley then landed a series of elbows, followed by an arm wringer, a front kick, and an enzuigiri that sent Zaria to the apron. She then hit a chop, connected with a somersault leg drop, and followed it with a step-up kick on the apron. Back inside the ring, Paxley landed another somersault leg drop, but Zaria kicked out.
Zaria fought back with a series of German suplexes, but Paxley landed on her feet and countered a spear attempt with a leapfrog stomp. She then hit the Cemetery Drive and went to the top rope but missed a 450 splash. Zaria immediately answered with a spear, though it still wasn’t enough to finish the match.
Both traded elbows and kicks in the middle of the ring. Paxley connected with a single-knee facebreaker, while Zaria answered with a back elbow. A superkick from Paxley stopped Zaria’s momentum, and she climbed to the top rope. Zaria cut her off with an uppercut, but Paxley escaped to the apron and trapped Zaria in the Tree of Woe before landing a Coast-to-Coast attack. Even that failed to secure the win.
Paxley then blocked an F-5 attempt and landed a rolling Koppu kick but Zaria shrugged it off. Paxley then sent Zaria to the floor with a low bridge and attempted a moonsault from the apron but missed. Zaria capitalized by planting her with a huge F-5 on the floor.
She rolled Paxley back into the ring, hit another spear, and delivered another F-5 to secure the victory and become the new NXT Women’s North American Champion.
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