NXT TakeOver: Chicago Asuka v Ruby Riot v Nikki Cross

NXT Women’s Champion Asuka’s attempt to eradicate her competition was successful in eliminating at least one challenger to the throne.

As a result of a shoulder injury sustained by Ember Moon, Asuka’s title defense at TakeOver: Chicago will now be a Triple Threat Match against Ruby Riot and Nikki Cross.

The Empress of Tomorrow was originally slated to defend the championship in a Fatal 4-Way Match against Riot, Cross and Moon on May 20, but Moon’s shoulder sprain, suffered at the hands of Asuka, removes her from the equation.

Riot, Cross and Moon were the finalists in a No. 1 Contender’s Battle Royal on May 3, but before a winner could be decided, Asuka entered the ring to unleash a brutal attack on all three – particularly Moon, whom the champion sent flying from the ring in vicious fashion. Asuka’s plan seemed to be to wipe out any viable opponent, but instead, a rankled Regal repaid her by scheduling her to face all three Superstars.

News of Moon’s injury removes one major obstacle for the dominant Empress of Tomorrow, whose historic title reign recently passed the 400-day mark. Yet, she still must contend with the Women’s division’s most crazed fighters, Riot and Cross, who seem as focused on battering each other as they do on scoring championship gold. Will their mutual rage prove to be their undoing, or will it simply make matters that much more dangerous for Asuka?