NXT Takeover: Dallas Bayley v Asuka

Bayley will face the most dangerous test of her career at NXT TakeOver: Dallas, when she steps into the squared circle to defend her NXT Women’s Championship against Asuka.

The champion has emerged as one of the most resilient competitors in NXT history over the past year. To earn a title opportunity, Bayley sought to prove herself against the women who helped usher in the Divas Revolution. She defeated Charlotte and Becky Lynch, then went on to dethrone Sasha Banks at TakeOver: Brooklyn in an epic battle that many rank among the best in sports-entertainment history.

Since then, Bayley has been a fighting champion and taken on all comers, turning back the challenges of Alexa Bliss and Eva Marie and using her smarts to topple the towering Nia Jax in a brutal fight at TakeOver: London. While she has weathered every test thrown her way, the NXT Women’s Champion has never faced a competitor like Asuka.

The Empress of Tomorrow arrived in NXT last fall and made an immediate impact. Her hard-hitting, take-no-prisoners style is unlike anything the women’s division has ever seen. Asuka has taken out opponents like Emma and Dana Brooke with precision, and shown she can win in many different ways, be it by submission or by knockout.

Asuka seemed to be on good terms with Bayley, as she rescued her and Carmella from a vicious beatdown at the hands of Eva Marie and Nia Jax in February. Despite her heroics, Asuka’s gaze quickly darted to the NXT Women’s Championship draped across Bayley’s shoulder, letting the champion know that she was coming for her.

Bayley and Asuka joined forces on the March 16 episode of NXT to defeat Eva & Nia in tag team action. After the bout, NXT General Manager William Regal arrived to inform Bayley that her partner had been named the No. 1 contender to her title, and that they’d be squaring off for the championship in Dallas. After the announcement, Asuka turned toward Bayley and flashed the devilish grin that has spelled the demise of her past foes.

The NXT Women’s Champion is in for the fight of her life at TakeOver: Dallas. Will Bayley’s resilience be enough to retain the title, or will Asuka take the title by force?