- 7/18/2025
Category
🦄
CreativityTranscript
00:00It's not the only championship yet to be decided.
00:04The NXT Women's Championship is on the line in moments.
00:09Can Io Shirai successfully defend her championship?
00:13Or will Dakota Kai be the one to dethrone Io?
00:17Especially when you factor Raquel Gonzalez into the match.
00:24Everyone has placed Io Shirai on this unattainable pedestal.
00:28She's so great. She's untouchable. She's the best.
00:31Shirai solidifying her status as the best on the planet.
00:35Yeah, right.
00:37I changed that.
00:39Oh my god! Blindsided by Dakota Kai!
00:43I'll let you guys in on a little secret.
00:45The best path to success is getting inside your opponent's head.
00:50Dakota, you just pissed me off.
00:54Dakota Kai is the same as Big Stalker, but...
00:59He's the same as Tegan Nox's friend.
01:03He's the same as Dakota Kai.
01:05He's the same as someone who uses it.
01:10Candice Raray, Tegan Nox.
01:14I've done everything on my own to get to where I am right now.
01:18I don't need friends, enemies, or insurance policy.
01:21I've seen the Dakota Kai, but I'm afraid of Shayna Baszler.
01:27I can't see a cute girl.
01:33I'm afraid of Shayna Baszler.
01:36After the takeover after the takeover, I'm afraid of this.
01:42I'm afraid of Dakota Kai.
01:44Hey, Io!
01:46Hear me out, it's gonna feel so good
01:50when I kick you in the face.
01:52Over and over and off.
01:57Dakota Kai has said enough.
01:59And Shirai going right at the number one contender.
02:03Dakota Kai is on the right.
02:06What the hell there for Kel Gonzalez?
02:10This has been Dakota Kai's plan since day one.
02:13Can the genius of this guy overcome Dakota and her devastating backup?
02:18At Takeover 30, your captain becomes new NXT Women's Champion.
02:40Oh, there you see Dakota Kai with her insurance policy.
02:50Is Dakota Kai on the verge of becoming the new NXT Women's Champion.
02:57Well, there you see Dakota Kai with her insurance policy.
03:02Is Dakota Kai on the verge of becoming the new NXT Women's Champion?
03:09Because Dakota Kai certainly is a rising star in WWE Supercard with
03:15over 160,000 cards collected since she debuted just a season ago.
03:20She's a fierce competitor with incredible toughness and speed stats.
03:24Corey, she's gonna need the speed and the toughness here tonight.
03:27You can't underestimate the mind games of Dakota Kai.
03:31This was all a well-laid trap and tonight she could reach the top of the mountain.
03:47But Beth, we are looking at a very angry NXT Women's Champion.
03:51But in your opinion, is her title in jeopardy here tonight?
03:56That's very possible, Vic.
03:57We've never quite seen a superstar as graceful and dangerous as Io Shirai.
04:01But Shirai is a challenge with Dakota Kai tonight and Raquel Gonzalez in her corner.
04:06Well, Io Shirai also joined Dakota Kai in Season 5 of WWE Supercard.
04:12Io Shirai's edge is her charisma and she has over 300,000 cards collected since her debut.
04:19What a championship matchup we are set for here tonight.
04:26And there is no love loss between Champion and Challenger heading into this showdown here at NXT TakeOver 30.
04:33The following contest scheduled for one fall is for the NXT Women's Championship.
04:44Championship!
04:45Introducing the challenger, accompanied by Raquel Gonzalez from Auckland, New Zealand, Dakota Kai!
04:54And her opponent from Tokyo, Japan.
04:59She is the NXT Women's Champion, Io Shirai!
05:09Well, Shirai has her work cut out for tonight.
05:15And Beth, during your time as Women's Champion in WWE, how did you block out the X Factor?
05:21Whoever was on the outside, in tonight's case, that being Raquel.
05:24That's such a challenge because you have to keep all your focus on the person in the ring.
05:28This is a carefully laid out plan by Dakota Kai.
05:31She brought her insurance policy and I think that she's-
05:35Oh!
05:36It's no insurance policy needed.
05:38Shirai going right at Dakota Kai.
05:40And let's not forget, Beth Io said she wanted to hurt Kai here tonight.
05:44Shirai certainly has retribution on her mind.
05:48Now Dakota Kai turning things around.
05:53This could all be part of the mind games of Dakota Kai.
05:56She's got Io Shirai so angry, so flustered, that Io is much more likely to make a mistake.
06:02If that happens, Dakota Kai is leaving here with the championship.
06:05And Dakota Kai gets caught, and Io Shirai now turning things right back around.
06:10Wow!
06:11Whoa!
06:12Ooh!
06:13Io landed rough on that one.
06:16And Shirai might have baited in Dakota Kai for just a moment.
06:19Dragonscrew, very effective, but I think Io might have rung her own bell.
06:24Well, back to Io Shirai.
06:26She called Dakota Kai a scared little girl heading into this championship match.
06:30Shirai refusing to be rattled by what Dakota Kai has called psychological warfare coming into this matchup.
06:36Shirai oozing confidence, it's that confidence that has brought her thus far.
06:41And obviously Shirai with the champion's advantage, and there is the insurance policy.
06:45The brick wall of a woman, Raquel Gonzalez.
06:48And it's already paid dividends, and Shirai into the ring post.
06:52You want the championship to win it again?
06:54And Dakota Kai has to have the champion, that being Io Shirai, back in the win.
06:58Title only changes hands on pinfall or submission.
07:01Of course, but it looked as though Io made some serious contact in the bicep area.
07:04Cover here by Dakota.
07:05Cover for the title.
07:06And Io Shirai able to kick out at two.
07:09Kai, Kai moving quickly, looking to take advantage, and now staying on Shirai.
07:14You know, Corey brought up a great point earlier, Beth, about the mindset of Dakota Kai,
07:20who said she's already won a little bit of the battle here tonight because she has gotten in the mind of Dakota Kai.
07:26Would you agree with that?
07:27I would say that Dakota Kai has finally found a way that she could be never underestimated again.
07:33Never pushed aside.
07:34And she has brought that into the ring today, and it looks to be throwing Io Shirai off the game.
07:40And we've already seen, as we mentioned, Gonzalez on the outside.
07:44Dakota Kai, Beth, time and time again, has said she has done it all by herself.
07:48Well, that's not really the case, is it?
07:50That's an absolute lie.
07:51Dakota Kai has done nothing but ambush Io Shirai.
07:53Set her up.
07:54Boom.
07:55And try to lay the dominoes in her favor.
07:58It's Shirai.
08:01Whoa.
08:02Throwing Dakota Kai.
08:03Nice.
08:04Take it out.
08:05Boom.
08:06What a kick.
08:08But Graves, thus far, Dakota Kai's plan has worked to perfection, whether you like it or not.
08:13Dakota has been one step ahead of the champion for the duration of this matchup.
08:17And look at this, this is painful.
08:19Three, two, one.
08:20Kai using every bit of that five count.
08:23Come on.
08:24That's smart.
08:25Maximize the damage within the rules.
08:29And much like we saw a couple weeks ago, kick to the face, into the cover,
08:33new champion, and a kick out again by the champion Io Shirai.
08:37Io is still favoring her elbow that was forced into the ring post a few moments ago
08:42after the encounter with Raquel Gonzalez.
08:45Dakota Kai, this is just a new side of Dakota Kai so desperately wants to become champion.
08:50And Beth, you've witnessed the evolution of Kai firsthand.
08:52I saw Dakota Kai come into the Mae Young Classic, a fresh young face.
08:56Cover.
08:57This is a very different Dakota Kai.
08:59She's not looking outward.
09:00She's not worried about making friends.
09:02She's only worried about herself.
09:04And that is the mindset of a champion, Beth.
09:08Dakota Kai is here in a high profile match at NXT TakeOver 30.
09:13She's not the same young girl that came here looking for opportunity.
09:16Dakota's ready to take what she wants.
09:18I would agree, Corey, but Dakota Kai is also a user.
09:21She's got Raquel Gonzalez in her corner to do her bidding.
09:24Well, that's the old saying, what good are friends if you can't use them?
09:31Oh, Trent.
09:32And Dakota Kai into the cover, hook of the leg.
09:34And Shirai again kicking out and take a look, trending right now, NXT TakeOver.
09:39And are we gonna see a new women's champion here at NXT TakeOver 30?
09:44And Dakota Kai, as we mentioned, whether you like the new attitude or not,
09:48has certainly made it work into her favor,
09:50has found herself in a championship opportunity,
09:53has used Raquel Gonzalez here tonight,
09:55and is systematically, Corey, picking apart the champion here tonight.
09:59Dakota Kai doing her best to hyperextend the elbow of Io Shirai.
10:03You see Kai using that knee brace from that surgically repaired right knee
10:06to lay pressure on.
10:08Whoa, whoa, another cover, titles on the line,
10:10and another kick out by the champion.
10:13Kai, sorry.
10:15And Beth, every one of those kick outs is taking it out of Io Shirai,
10:19who continues to favor the left elbow.
10:21Io Shirai has struggled to get moving out of the gate in this matchup,
10:25and Kai really looking good.
10:28Beth, you've been a women's champion multiple times in your career.
10:31Do you think there is a danger that Io Shirai underestimated Dakota Kai,
10:35and is maybe a little too confident?
10:36I've said it many times, winning the championship sometimes is not as difficult
10:40as maintaining it.
10:41At some point, you have to make sure you don't slide into complacency.
10:46Right now, Dakota Kai looking anything but complacent, continuing the assault.
10:53Dakota Kai is hungry.
10:56Another cover, shoulders down, a near fall.
10:59Shirai almost retaining, and Dakota Kai mauling down the champion.
11:03Quickly into the cover, and another kick out by Io Shirai.
11:09But to your point, Vic, with every single kick out,
11:11Shirai clutching that left elbow, possibly hyper-extended nasty strikes by Kai.
11:17Remember what you said about.
11:18Remember what you said about.
11:19This is your title, Dakota.
11:21And wisely, Dakota Kai focusing on the left elbow, another submission center of the ring.
11:27And Graves, Dakota Kai has grounded the genius of the sky.
11:32And I guarantee you that was Dakota's mindset from the outset.
11:35You wanna take away the champion's best weapon, which is her aerial ability.
11:39But right now, Dakota just torturing Io Shirai's arm.
11:42Be careful to not get pinned here.
11:43She's gotta keep that shoulder up.
11:44Oh, referee in good position.
11:47And Dakota Kai are back.
11:49I don't think Dakota Kai, again, Corey, to your point with that left elbow,
11:53how much damage has been done to Io Shirai?
11:57Only time will tell, but Dakota Kai has acquired the target and is just dismantling.
12:03Whoa, looking for Big J.
12:04Does it connect, and what a palm strike.
12:07And this is the moment now, Beth, for Io Shirai to recruit, maybe get some
12:13feeling back in the left arm and start to mount some offense.
12:18The NXT Universe solidly behind their women's champion Io Shirai.
12:25And now Shirai charging in, trying to string together some offense,
12:29trying to keep the momentum in her favor.
12:32Charging in and dropping Kai face first.
12:35Io Shirai now, Kai in her sights.
12:38NXT Women's Champion goes around.
12:41619 with one arm.
12:45But at what cost?
12:46You can see Io immediately favoring her arm once again.
12:49To the top rope, drop kick connects.
12:51Legs still work though.
12:52Champion into the cover to retain the NXT Women's title.
12:56And Kai kicking out at two.
12:59And you can see the pain etched on the face of Io Shirai.
13:03Io Shirai uses that left arm so much in her offense for balance.
13:07Ripping.
13:11Every offensive maneuver includes pain on herself.
13:15Io unable to muscle up Dakota, standing switch.
13:18Shirai though rolling through.
13:20That double stopped to the midsection.
13:22And again, Io Shirai, every move that she successfully does to Dakota Kai.
13:28Io immediately grabs that left arm, now trying to beat feeling back into it.
13:33Shirai needing to shift that offense, do more leg kicks.
13:37One, two, three.
13:40Shirai trying to retain the NXT Women's title here tonight.
13:44Goes through.
13:45So does Dakota Kai.
13:46Uh-oh, uh-oh.
13:47Looking for a huge German suplex.
13:50You talk about a game changer in this matchup.
13:52It's gonna be a game ender.
13:54Kai sliding down, again trying to attempt.
13:56Dakota Kai trying to break the grip of Io Shirai.
13:59Shirai instead down into the chest of Kai.
14:04Well, that was dangerously close for the champ.
14:07Now the champion able to avert disaster in that particular instance.
14:11Dakota Kai finds her way back in the ring as we take another look at this.
14:15Nothing fancy, just two feet right to the heart.
14:18Io Shirai into the cover now.
14:24Hook of the leg and Dakota Kai kicking out.
14:27Kai not only kicking out, transitioning right back into a submission on that injured left arm.
14:32Focusing on the left elbow.
14:34And now the shoulder joint as well.
14:36And it was Kai who said she was gonna kick Shirai over and over again.
14:41Look at the change of demeanor on Io Shirai.
14:46Come on, man.
14:51Wow.
14:52The fighting spirit.
14:57Io Shirai, fire it up now.
15:02Shirai answering the clubbing bros champion now.
15:05Picking up some momentum.
15:06Scorpion kick on the mark, the champion has rocked.
15:09Give the assist to the knee brace.
15:12And now Dakota Kai.
15:15Trying to gain, see no one there.
15:17A swing and a miss.
15:18Shirai now.
15:19Catching Kai.
15:21Waiting for that German suplex.
15:23Reversal.
15:24Gnarly.
15:26Nasty landing.
15:28And now Dakota Kai again.
15:30No one there.
15:31And Shirai charges in.
15:33Wow, second time.
15:36The champion absolutely relentless.
15:41Io Shirai struggling through the pain.
15:47And with one arm now.
15:52Io Shirai all the way to the top open Dakota Kai out of desperation.
15:58Well scouted what Shirai can do when she takes flight.
16:03You can still see Io Shirai favoring her left arm.
16:05I wonder if she was unable to mount the top rope as quickly as she would have liked.
16:10Obviously suffering the effects of the attack from Dakota Kai.
16:14Now Kai looking to take advantage.
16:16Well Dakota Kai certainly.
16:22And Dakota Kai was gonna say certainly looking to take advantage indeed.
16:27But now Kai hung up.
16:29So difficult to maintain balance.
16:32Double stop.
16:35Double stop.
16:36Rushing impact to the chest of the challenger.
16:43Champion crawling into the cover to retain the title and again.
16:49Dakota Kai keeping her championship dreams alive.
16:53And Graves you said it earlier.
16:55Io Shirai might not beat 100% with her arms, certainly is with her feet.
16:59Like a dagger through the heart of Dakota Kai.
17:02Somehow Kai fights on and even with one bad wing Io Shirai still fighting.
17:09But Shirai unable to get that leverage with that damaged arm in the pinfall attempt.
17:14Both of these women wearing the wounds of this battle.
17:17And Shirai now.
17:24Double underhook.
17:25Looking to plant Dakota Kai center of the ring.
17:28Kai able to reverse with a headbutt.
17:30Kai holding on.
17:31And now.
17:32Two knees to the spine.
17:34Cover.
17:35The chiropractor isn't enough to make Dakota Kai champion.
17:38And Shirai kicks out again.
17:39And quickly into the arm bar.
17:41The injured left arm.
17:42Is Io Shirai gonna tap out?
17:43Are we gonna have a new NXT winner champion here at NXT TakeOver 30?
17:47You can see Io attempting to shift her weight to minimize the pressure.
17:50But Dakota has his arm bar locked in tight.
17:52Shirai trying to do anything.
17:53The champion desperate.
17:54Trying to get on the grips of Dakota Kai.
17:56Dakota Kai holding on.
17:58Io Shirai trying to break the hand grip graves right now.
18:01But Io Shirai crawling.
18:03Kai not giving an inch.
18:04And Dakota Kai looking at her placement in between the ropes.
18:07This is brilliant.
18:08This is great ring awareness by the challenger.
18:11Io Shirai with nowhere to go.
18:13Desperately trying to maintain her grip and not submit.
18:16The hyperextension on the elbow.
18:18Dakota Kai doing anything she can to hold on.
18:21Io Shirai doing anything she can to survive.
18:23Reaching out with her foot for the bottom rope is Io.
18:26Shirai trying desperately with her feet to find the bottom rope.
18:30And the champion does so.
18:32Io fights on but at what cost?
18:36Dakota Kai came within seconds of snapping the champion's arm.
18:39Io Shirai was in that arm bar for an eternity.
18:43Serious damage inflicted by the challenger.
18:50And Dakota Kai finished the job.
18:53She was barely able to move or lift that arm.
18:56Oof.
18:57Atta girl.
18:58And Shirai continuing to try to shake some feeling.
19:02And now Dakota Kai again.
19:04Was looking for another springboard.
19:06Got caught with the foot.
19:07Dakota Kai now.
19:08Trying to take advantage but it's Io Shirai turning things around.
19:13And the genies of the sky.
19:15Again looking to take flight.
19:17Oof.
19:18And right to the injured left elbow goes Kai.
19:21Intelligent offense by Dakota Kai.
19:24Has Io Shirai in trouble?
19:25No.
19:26That's how Kai became the number one contender.
19:29Is this how Kai's gonna become NXT Women's Champion?
19:33And no, the foot.
19:34The foot, the left foot of Io Shirai.
19:37Wow, that was close.
19:44You can see the frustration on the face of Dakota Kai.
19:47That was the maneuver that basically destroyed Rhea Ripley's face.
19:53I'm not even sure Io Shirai had it in her to kick out.
19:58Well Io Shirai presence of mind to get the left foot on the bottom rope.
20:05And at least continue to have a fighting chance here tonight as Dakota Kai.
20:10Whoa.
20:11Champ puts on the brakes but.
20:13No.
20:17Wait a minute, Shirai.
20:18German Suplex.
20:22Official.
20:23No referee.
20:24He's on a cold courtesy of a boot from Dakota Kai.
20:31Over the moonsault.
20:33Shirai connected, there's no official.
20:35This has gotta be over.
20:37There's no referee.
20:38Count to three, four, five.
20:39One, two, three, one.
20:42Come on, Tom.
20:43Get out.
20:45Get out.
20:46Shirai realizing what has just happened.
20:48Realizing the official.
20:49Well no.
20:50Raquel Gonzalez.
20:52His shirts policy on the outside.
20:55Gonzalez plants the champion center of the ring.
20:59Oh no, come on.
21:00No way.
21:01Not like this.
21:02Just like this.
21:03Not like this.
21:04This is how the world changes.
21:06Come on, no.
21:07We're gonna have a new champion.
21:10Heel kicked out.
21:20Gonzalez in disbelief.
21:22Dakota Kai in disbelief.
21:26At this point, panic has gotta be setting in for Dakota Kai.
21:30Dakota Kai's master plan is falling apart.
21:35I mean, Beth, what has to be going through the mind of Dakota Kai now?
21:42Complete panic.
21:44Plan XYZ, nothing has worked.
21:48Dakota Kai again, this time not successful.
21:51Crossface.
21:52Crossface center of the ring.
21:54Io Shirai though, only with one good arm.
21:56Can Io Shirai lock into Crossface?
22:00Is Kai gonna tap out?
22:02Dakota Kai reaching for the bottom rope.
22:05Dakota Kai so close with a champion looking to make Kai submit.
22:11Dakota Kai able to roll through, roll through the pressure.
22:16What a devastating knee.
22:19Let's go Io Shirai.
22:22And Io Shirai, now finally, back up top.
22:26Genius in the sky, takes flight, wipes out the opposition.
22:31Like both of Io's knees caught Raquel right in the forehead.
22:36The insurance policy has been nullified.
22:39Shirai to the top rope, looking for the second.
22:43Over the Moon Sulk got it.
22:45Shirai connects, cover.
22:47Io Shirai retains the NXT Women's title.
22:51Here is your winner, and still the NXT Women's Champion, Io Shirai.
22:57What a hard fought battle bet for the NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai.
23:04Dakota Kai certainly came to the table with a plan, did her best to execute it.
23:09But it was not enough to best the genius of the sky.
23:13Gonzalez from behind flattening the champion.
23:22Why do this?
23:24Talk about a sore loser.
23:27Hold the phone.
23:35Here comes Rhea Ripley.
23:37This is a stare down.
23:44This.
23:45Give me this.
23:47Give me all of this.
23:49Just fight!
23:50Stop talking!
23:52Just make contact!
24:08Just fight, stop talking, just make contact.
24:15Watch your hands on the back, let's go.
24:19Look your nose.
24:20Watch your hands on the back.
24:23You won't, you won't.
24:25You won't.
24:30Discretion's the better part of valor sometimes,
24:35particularly when you're face to face with the nightmare Rhea Ripley.
24:41Well, I don't think we've seen the last of this interaction.
24:46Raquel Gonzalez has not taken her eyes off Rhea Ripley.
24:51But on this night, Ripley comes out for the moment to save the NXT Women's Champion,
24:58which Beth still Io Shirai.
25:01The moments during this matchup where the level of competition was unbelievable.
25:05The referee evading him, taking the knee to the face, unfortunately.
25:12And Raquel Gonzalez would rear her head and nearly put Io through the ring
25:17with a hellacious powerbomb.
25:19Put Dakota Kai in position, wake up the official,
25:23and it doesn't get any closer than this without the bell ringing.
25:26Well, the plan was executed, but it wasn't executed perfectly,
25:30as Io Shirai would show the heart and spirit of a champion,
25:35taking to the air, sticking to her MO of her scout report,
25:39wiping out anything that moves with this beautiful over-the-moonsault,
25:44which connected not once, but twice in the matchup.
25:47Second time was the charm, and Io Shirai retains the women's title
25:52for NXT TakeOver 30.
Recommended
20:36
|
Up next
1:21:42
1:30:52
32:26
53:44
55:25
1:04:12
55:14
51:36
1:30:19