00:00It was back at the end of April and ended up in an old contest with a lot of interference around the ring tonight.
00:04They hope to settle the score.
00:07And this could be a preview of what we'll see the final day of August in Paris at Clash in Paris.
00:12Maquerre, of course, earning herself a world title opportunity by winning the Women's Battle Royal at Evolution.
00:18Anytime you've got arguably two of the best women's wrestlers on the planet Earth competing in the same ring,
00:24there is potential for fireworks and magic.
00:26It is perfectly okay to expect that out of the genius of the sky in La Primera.
00:32I would like to offer my congratulations tonight to none other than J.C. Jane,
00:37who not only is the NXT Women's Champion, but also the TNA Knockouts Champion.
00:42You're looking at my notes, Cole?
00:43I just wrote that down, yeah, because Maquerre was the last double champion in NXT.
00:47Indeed, Maquerre held the NXT Women's Title and the NXT North American Championship at the same time.
00:52And J.C. Jane pulling off the feet of TNA Slammiversary, an incredible show in Bridgeport last night.
00:58Oh, and from here on out, we refer to that place as Trick NA.
01:01Yeah, and Trick, of course, still the TNA Champion.
01:04AJ Styles made an incredible return last night as well to TNA.
01:08Great electricity for this matchup tonight between Io and Stephanie, two of the best in the world.
01:17Never crossed paths, however, Corey, until they met here in WWE a couple of months ago.
01:23Well, if you're a fan of the Graps, as we say, you've been expecting this, you've been waiting for this for quite some time.
01:29And after their first encounter, as you mentioned, ending in a no contest, that's a disappointing finale.
01:33You want a decisive winner. Who is the best of the best? Is it Maquerre? Is it Skye? Look at this!
01:40Io Skye, of course, who became a superstar in her native Japan before coming over to WWE here in the States.
01:47Stephanie Maquerre cut her teeth both in Japan and Mexico for arriving on the scene in WWE just over a year ago.
01:55And I don't think I'm out of line by saying that Stephanie Maquerre may be the single hottest superstar in the business right now, male or female.
02:03Her ascent to the top of this game happened like it seems overnight.
02:08And Maquerre now!
02:10Unique offense, Io Skye as well.
02:12And Io Skye now sends Maquerre!
02:14And Maquerre still hangs on!
02:16Look at this! Great defense by Maquerre, preventing Skye from obtaining the favorable position.
02:27And once again, this straight jacket hold locked in.
02:29Most likely won't end the match, but can take a lot out of Io Skye in the process.
02:34La Primera, Stephanie Maquerre, she can fly, she can grapple.
02:39Casadora blocked by Skye.
02:41Roll through now, shoulders down. Is it enough? Io's got to kick out at two.
02:44What does this mean for Io Skye taking a match like this before he's so close to SummerSlam in the triple threat for the world title?
02:51My best guess is that Io wants to keep her game sharp.
02:53Shoulders down, kick out.
02:57Io, Rhea, Naomi at SummerSlam a week from Saturday or Sunday.
03:01Great pinning combination into the bridge, goes Maquerre.
03:04And listen, Io knows what she's facing at SummerSlam.
03:07She's encountered Rhea many times, never picked up, or Rhea's never been able to beat Io.
03:12So, but Naomi is the X-Factor in that situation.
03:15Io knows she needs to be essentially perfect come SummerSlam if she wants to leave with the Women's World Championship.
03:20And Naomi with one of the greatest cash-ins of the Money in the Bank contract we've seen.
03:25Evolution.
03:26That's part of that great match between Io and Rhea Ripley.
03:29And think about what this means for Stephanie Baquer, who has a championship opportunity at Clash.
03:33Oh, look at Io, my still one here, and Stephanie's got a kick.
03:36Think of what it would do for the confidence of the Dark Angel, knowing that she defeated Io Skye, especially if Io wins at SummerSlam.
03:43And Baquerre now, nice takedown.
03:46Children's down again.
03:47Getting pinning combination and a kick out by Skye.
03:49Baquerre is so fluid in the ring.
03:51All of Stephanie's movements, extremely crisp, carefully measured.
03:56Big Skye as well.
03:59That drop kick drives Stephanie out to the floor.
04:04And here comes Io.
04:07And Skye, suicide dive.
04:09Stephanie taken out.
04:10And the genius of the Skye starting to fly.
04:15Stephanie Baquerre, fresh off a victory this past Friday night on SmackDown over Alba Fire of the Secret Hervis.
04:22The protection unit, of course, from Chelsea Green.
04:25Green!
04:27What are you doing, Io? Come on.
04:29Great situational awareness by Io Skye, breaking the official Eddie Arango's count.
04:33We're going to continue the assault on the outside.
04:38Io now.
04:40A springboard moonsault as Stephanie moves out of harm's way.
04:43And now a kick right to Io, side of the head.
04:46Into the ring to break the count.
04:51Now Stephanie Baquerre launches herself off the top rope, flying cross body.
04:56Stephanie takes over.
05:10And a competitive matchup could go either way between Skye and Baquerre.
05:18Stephanie Baquerre provides a unique challenge for Io Skye in that Baquerre is extremely comfortable taking to the Skye, which is usually reserved for Io.
05:27That's what Io does best.
05:28Stephanie is extremely well versed in the aerial attacks as well.
05:31What does Stephanie not do with?
05:34That's a great question.
05:35I have yet to find a hole in the game of La Primera.
05:40Io beats the count of eight back into the ring.
05:42Referee Eddie Arango working this matchup.
05:44Big kick takes down Skye.
05:52Bounced off the top turnbuckle.
05:53Back for me, Stephanie.
05:54Come on, let's go.
05:55One, two, three, four.
06:00Stephanie using almost a full five count there.
06:03That's smart.
06:03That comes from experience.
06:05Knowing your own timing, understanding how much damage you can inflict within the allotted five seconds.
06:11Are you surprised at how quickly Stephanie Baquerre took to a success here in WWE?
06:17As a whole, yes.
06:18I was witness to that rise in NXT, most of it at least over the last seven.
06:22Cover on the leg drop.
06:24And it seemed like in record time, Baquerre was at the top of the card in NXT.
06:28And to the surprise of no one who's seen her prior to her arrival, she's making waves on Raw and SmackDown.
06:35And an opportunity, perhaps, to become the women's world champion at the end of August in Paris.
06:41Now just wearing Io down.
06:43Complete control.
06:44Look at the confidence in Stephanie's eyes.
06:45Took the words right out of my mouth.
06:47In the heat of combat, Baquerre is cool as ice right now.
06:51She's not stressing.
06:52She's not flustered.
06:53She's just solving Io Sky step by step.
06:57And, again, I haven't watched her as closely as you have, Corey, but that's the one thing I've noticed about Baquerre.
07:02She never seems out of control.
07:04Never seems stressed.
07:06Always lives for the moment.
07:07Well, you can ask any superstar who's ever competed inside of a ring.
07:10One of the most difficult aspects of this business is keeping your composure in the heat of battle.
07:15All of the greats have figured out how to do it.
07:18Look at this.
07:18Look at this fantastic submission attempt by Baquerre.
07:22Got Io Sky's leg trapped.
07:24This looks like there's pressure applied on, likely, the knee of Io Sky as well as the neck and shoulder.
07:30And you get what was impressive.
07:31And look at Grapp's going for the SVB to put Io Sky away.
07:35What was impressive about that move is how just fluidly she moved into it, effortlessly.
07:40And look at now Io Sky with Stephanie up on her shoulders.
07:43There's the backdrop, and Io buys herself some time.
