Back in the early days of NXT UK, two fresh faced Aussie newcomers from the Mae Young Classic were both looking to become the first ever NXT UK Women’s Champion. Toni Storm was well known in the UK scene, but Ripley was a bit of an outsider.
They’re currently 2-2 in singles matches, and tonight is just a full on grudge match. Last time they met, Toni Storm respected Rhea Ripley. This is a new Storm however, one that is more dangerous than ever. There is no respect, it’s just Toni-Time tonight. Their matches have always been good, but can tonight finally be their classic?
A Slow Start From Rhea Ripley
After a quick feeling out process to readjust to each other’s styles, Ripley took Storm into the corner but allowed a clean break. Storm would get a headlock and be shoved off, failing to drop Ripley with a shoulder tackle and would be dropped with one right back. They’d trade falls on the mat after a sunset flip attempt.
Ripley went for a suplex, but Storm countered into a pinfall attempt. Realizing neither will pin the other yet, they just went for hard strikes. Storm was outgunned here, and a double chop to the back dropped her. Ripley was sent to the apron and was run into the steel post however, as we went to a commercial break.
Coming back from the break, Storm was pressing her advantage with a rear chinlock, but Ripley was able to break free. She’d trap the head of Storm with a cravate and nail those short knee strikes, before the basement dropkick. Storm would be able to get back to her feet to cut Ripley off with a headbutt, causing another double down.
Toni Storm Gets Help From A WarGames Ally
Ripley & Storm threw strikes as they got back to their feet, a complete slugfest. Storm took a running forearm and a dropkick, getting Ripley a two count. The Prism Lock would be applied, Storm dangling in the middle of the ring, but would counter out and nail the low forearm. She’d get the German Suplex for a two count, setting up one of her signature comebacks.
Storm missed the running hip attack and was dropped with the Electric Chair lift into the corner, getting another two count. A series of leg drops followed, Ripley just looking to brutalize Storm. When Storm would be sent to the outside, Raquel Gonzalez would show up to save her WarGames teammate. Gonzalez was knocked over the barricade by a falling Storm, but came back to life soon after and ran Ripley into the ringpost behind the referees back. Storm picked the bones with Storm Zero, and won this one.
Will Ripley get her revenge against Raquel Gonzalez at New Years Evil, or will that match happen sooner? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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