NXT’s biggest and best stars of the women’s division put on a classic Last Woman Standing match. New Year’s Evil saw some incredible matches featuring some big names, but none of the matches received the positive reaction like Rhea Ripley vs Raquel Gonzalez. Both Superstars put on a brutal match that had fans losing their minds on Twitter.
Rhea Ripley and Raquel Gonzalez put on an early MOTYC
Loved every sec of it early NXT MOTY i think
— Justin Wrestling (@WWENXTGuy) January 7, 2021
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Ripley and Gonzalez started brawling right from the beginning. Gonzalez hit an impressive version of the three amigos but replaced vertical suplexes with fallaway slams.
Ripley fought back by belting Raquel with a kendo stick. Post this, Rhea tried to fly off the steps to take down Gonzalez, but got a chair flung into her face.
This Amazon of a woman just rip that handcuffs from the cage!!! Holy shit, @RaquelWWE should compete for the NXT Title. Forget about @FinnBalor Vs @KORcombat for the NXT Title match. It should be Finn Balor Vs Raquel Gonzalez for the NXT Title!!! #NXTNYE #WWENXT
— Michael Pam (@MichaelPam) January 7, 2021
Ripley handcuffed Raquel to the fencing part of the barricade, but the monstrous Gonzalez ripped out the steel mesh to free herself. This was an excellent visual that fans really loved. Apparently, one fan liked it so much he wished the women’s match should’ve main evented New Year’s Evil over Balor vs O’Reilly.
We have finally entered an era of the Alpha Females.
★★★★★
— hyredg (@hyredg) January 7, 2021
During the commercial break, Ripley delivered a DDT to Gonzalez atop the steel steps. Gonzalez returned the favour by whacking Ripley in the face with the steps.
Both women brawled backstage which is quite a dangerous environment for two women who want to beat the hell out of each other. Ripley even drove Raquel through a glass door, but even that did not keep Gonzalez down.
@RheaRipley_WWE vs @RaquelWWE could have been a ppv main event easily!!! WOW 🔥🔥 @WWENXT #NXTNYE nice job ladies! and if this was Rhea’s send off to the main roster …..well done wow
— Hurtz Donit (@wrestlingdroppa) January 7, 2021
To make matter worse for both women, Ripley hit a massive Swanton bomb onto Raquel through a table from the top of the lockers. What was more shocking: Raquel was on her feet before 10!
At this point, the match began entering classic territory. A last man standing match can be very slow, but the drama and intrigue of watching a wrestler struggle to his/her feet is simply amazing.
Kai probably terrified, someone get her out of there
— m/DrXtremem/ (@DrXtreme80) January 7, 2021
Raquel’s friend and tag partner Dakota Kai ran in and destroyed Ripley with a kendo stick. Ripley fought back, and stuffed Kai into a locker like a small child.
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Rhea trapped Raquel in the Prism Trap and wrapped a steel chair around her head to amplify the agony. She then slammed her into the LED wall as Raquel charged her. Still, Gonzalez was up before 10.
Ripley is getting a push real soon to Vinces Pocket to the main roster
— #CommanderBrokenMike D (@CdrWokenmikeD) January 7, 2021
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The finish of the match was absolutely crazy. Gonzalez hit her trademark one armed powerbomb, except on this occasion, she hit it off the steps and through the stage. Both women were down for a long time, but Raquel was the first to crawl out of the hole, emerging victorious.
Fans immediately wondered where Rhea goes from here. The main roster requires a star like her, and she will surely live up to the task.