- 10 months ago
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00:00The following contest, scheduled for one fall,
00:07is for the NXT Women's North American Championship!
00:18Introducing first, accompanied by Zoria from Honolulu, Hawaii.
00:23She is the NXT Women's North American Champion,
00:29Saul Ruka!
00:34Well, what a way to kick off the battleground,
00:36the first championship match of the night.
00:42We want to welcome you at ringside, Vic Joseph,
00:44alongside two-time WWE Hall of Fame, none other than Booker T,
00:48and also, to my left, that being Corey Graves.
00:52And look, Corey, careers are going to be defined,
00:55history is going to be made.
00:56The atmosphere is always special here in Tampa,
00:59a city where many of us began our WWE journeys,
01:02not far down the road on Dale Mabry Highway.
01:04I want to know who's going to take the next step tonight at Battleground.
01:07And the ladies kicking this thing off.
01:09This could be a main event, guys.
01:11Anywhere, anywhere.
01:12Anywhere.
01:13Anywhere.
01:14Anywhere.
01:15Anywhere.
01:16Anywhere.
01:17Anywhere.
01:18Anywhere.
01:19Anywhere.
01:20Anywhere.
01:21Anywhere.
01:22Anywhere.
01:23Anywhere.
01:24Anywhere.
01:25Anywhere.
01:26Anywhere.
01:27Anywhere.
01:28Anywhere.
01:29Anywhere.
01:30Anywhere.
01:31Anywhere.
01:32Anywhere.
01:33Anywhere.
01:34Anywhere.
01:35Anywhere.
01:36And Graves, when it comes to the challenger, has she developed that killer instinct?
01:44Kalani Jordan has never been a slouch in the ring.
01:46It's an experience.
01:48But what we've seen over the past several months has truly been an evolution of Kalani Jordan as a competitor.
01:53Booker, I think you'll agree with me.
01:54We've asked to see a little more aggression, a little bit more of a mean streak from the first ever North American women's champion.
02:01I say we got it.
02:02That caterpillar that turned into the butterfly that stings like a bee.
02:07That's Kalani Jordan.
02:09She's grown up so much over this last year.
02:11The first, guys, the first women's North American champion.
02:16Stand up.
02:17Stand up, man.
02:18And Booker hit this point moments ago, Graves.
02:23And I think you'll agree this is going to set the tone for Battleground tonight.
02:27Absolutely.
02:27You can feel the energy backstage all day.
02:29Every single match on the card is going to have a follow-that mentality.
02:34Every superstar on the roster knows how special tonight is and how massive each opportunity to compete here in NXT is.
02:41You can see on the face of Sol Ruka a little tip of the cap to Zari on the outside.
02:46Also looks like a little bit of war paint, so to speak, here at Battleground.
02:50Sol Ruka taking a page out of Zari's handbook, ready for battle at Battleground with the athleticism right off of the opening.
02:56Oh, yes.
02:57I'm loving it.
02:59Expect to see a lot more of that misdirection by Sol.
03:03Shoulders down and rolling right back through is Ruka.
03:06Sidestepping the dropkick.
03:07And again, both these women know each other so very well.
03:10Longstanding rivalry between these two over the women's North American title.
03:14Jordan's first defense was against Sol.
03:16It's fitting.
03:17Sol's first defense is against Kalani.
03:19Both were in that ladder match last year at Battleground where Kalani became the first women to hold this title.
03:24Both at Stan and the Liver and both again competing here tonight.
03:31Beautiful.
03:32You can hear the appreciation for these two athletes throughout the Yingling Center.
03:36Don't do it.
03:37Don't do it.
03:38On Booker, it's all about sportsmanship again.
03:40And these two have been through the trenches and they did get a little shake of the hand and now right back to it.
03:45So overpowering Kalani early on and up front.
03:48I think it can be all about sportsmanship, but you can't be afraid to bend the rule here and there.
03:52Take a shortcut from somebody in the eye.
03:55Kalani earned this opportunity by beating Zarya this past Tuesday.
03:59Oh, my.
04:00Wow.
04:01That's what we need to see out of Jordan.
04:02Is that that killer instinct you both were talking about?
04:04No doubt.
04:05No time for shaking hands right now.
04:07This is about competition.
04:08This is about the championship.
04:09This is about the North American championship.
04:11Look at this submission stepping through like a man did last night.
04:15STF applied.
04:16Trying to reach out to that bottom rope.
04:18Kalani, but look, Kalani wants to fight her way through this hold right here, right now.
04:22But right now, desperation may be setting in because Sol Ruka has this cinched in deep.
04:27Almost in the center of the ranks.
04:28Shifting weight.
04:29Shoulders down in the near fall.
04:30You know, Graves, when you take a look at these two, are they really starting to set themselves up to be the foundation of this division?
04:36And potentially, only time will tell, but both Sol Ruka and Kalani Jordan have got very, very bright, hopefully long futures in WWE ahead of them.
04:44They could fight forever, as they say.
04:46First of many, many battles, guys.
04:48Letting Kalani think about it.
04:54Sol with a suplex.
04:55Into a moose.
04:57Standing style.
04:58Cover shifting again.
04:59Counter shoulders down.
05:00Another near fall.
05:01Coming right back in.
05:02Flipping over.
05:02Sol center of the ring.
05:04Another near fall.
05:04Kalani getting out this time.
05:06She's going to take down the champion.
05:07And the champion just able to wiggle free at the count of two.
05:10Again, back and forth.
05:12Looking for maybe a crucifix.
05:14Oh, wow.
05:15Blocking it though.
05:15Showing that strength.
05:17And Ruka the whole.
05:18Oh!
05:18Crucifix bomb!
05:21Whoa, that was close.
05:23Faced solely off the opening moments of this contest.
05:26I think this one's going to come down to which of these two ladies makes the first mistake.
05:30Period.
05:30I think Sol Ruka's got a bad strategy right now.
05:32Because I don't think she's going to outwit Kalani Jordan in this match.
05:35Oh, and there could have been that mistake, Graves, you were alluding to.
05:39And now Mace.
05:40Oh, baby.
05:41Oh, baby.
05:42That could be him.
05:44Hook of the leg.
05:45And another near fall.
05:46You know, Fulker, how much different is Kalani now opposed to one year ago?
05:50Because, again, it was at Battleground last year in Vegas.
05:53She wore the gold for the first time.
05:54Like I say, we've watched Kalani Jordan grow up in the middle of that ring.
05:57And, you know, like I say, being the first North American champion, that tells me she's got all the skills.
06:02She's a special, special talent victim.
06:04I think something also that's important to remember is a nice Northern Lights with a bridge, shoulders down.
06:10And again, another kickoff by Sol Ruka.
06:12Kalani lost the title at Halloween Havoc.
06:14She faced three different opponents on that night, Booker.
06:17Those, of course, being fatal injuries.
06:20No, I mean, Kalani Jordan, she's one that's going to fight.
06:23She's going to stay in the game.
06:25And right now, she's doing a hell of a job with Sol Ruka.
06:28I'm wondering if she can become a two-time champion at this young age.
06:32Oh, look at this innovative offense.
06:33Oh, with a little bit of a twist from Kalani.
06:37Kalani now stacking up Sol.
06:39And another kickoff, but now trying to transition, I don't know, Grazen, to maybe a single-leg Boston craft.
06:44It seems apparent to me thus far that Kalani Jordan has certainly done her homework on the champion.
06:49But this is where the inexperience can factor in.
06:50Kalani Jordan is certainly not a submission expert by any stretch of the imagination.
06:54She's obviously added some new wrinkles to her game, some aggression.
06:57We've seen the cross-faced chicken wing in the past serve her very well.
07:00Look at the nice half crab.
07:02This half crab is locked in to Sol Ruka doing a nice job of keeping the pressure off her lower back.
07:07And now looking at her partner, that being Zari on the outside, trying to navigate her way to that bottom rope to break the hole.
07:13And there's Kalani now trying to sit down in the single-leg crab.
07:17And this is one way to counter that high-flying ability of Sol Ruka.
07:20Ruka's been able to maintain her knee underneath her, minimizing the pressure.
07:24While this is still painful, not likely to force a submission.
07:27And the champion able to escape into a jackknight cover goes Jordan.
07:29Sol Ruka's down and another kick-out.
07:31And, you know, some people have said about Sol Ruka, you know, being a double champion.
07:35There's pressure.
07:35Graves on WWE's speed.
07:36Have you noticed pressure getting to Sol Ruka?
07:39Some athletes thrive under pressure, and that's what we've seen from Sol Ruka thus far in both of her championship reigns.
07:44Albeit young reigns.
07:47Nothing short of impressive.
07:49And to that point.
07:50Whoa!
07:51Wow!
07:53Wiggling for a moment.
07:54Catching her balance is Sol.
07:56Precarious position!
07:57Oh, my God!
07:58Factor X found the spot!
08:01She's out.
08:02If Ruka can make the cover, this one is over.
08:04But Sol Ruka landed almost on her tailbone as well.
08:08Wow.
08:09Listen to this place.
08:11Take another look as Kalani Jordan driven face first into the canvas.
08:16But you were right, Vic.
08:17Rough landing for the champion at the same time.
08:19You know, Booker, you are someone who knows just how difficult it is to defend two separate titles.
08:25I mean, it's almost impossible to defend two titles.
08:28I mean, the timing was a little long.
08:30We must take that out of the equation.
08:36Back back position.
08:37Bam!
08:38Oh, ho!
08:38Now we're kicking off Battleground.
08:41Starting to pick up some steam now.
08:42Now is Ruka.
08:43Big knee right under the jaw.
08:45Rocking Kalani.
08:46Kalani wisely rolling to the outside.
08:48That was smart because she has been rocked around in this match.
08:51Smart decision.
08:52But Kalani also has to take into account the fact that Zarya is only a few feet away.
08:55And you can never take your eyes off of her.
08:57Oh, he's, of course, becoming champion after Stephanie Bacare, who was a double champion, relinquished the title for the betterment of the women's division.
09:05Bacare, Jordan Gray still to come.
09:08Oh, my God.
09:08No, no, no, no, no.
09:10Jordan, maybe looking for a fisherman's suplex on the apron.
09:13Countered by Sol for a moment.
09:15You've got to imagine Zarya being out there helping Sol in this moment.
09:18Ruka showing she's got some dynamite in her fists.
09:23Talking about athleticism.
09:24Take a look at Kalani.
09:26Of course, the background at Michigan State just rocking, though, Ruka to the floor.
09:31No, Booker, I would say Kalani has shed that little sister stigma.
09:36Oh, baby.
09:38While we talked about Kalani Jordan and how much she's grown up, you can feel it.
09:43You can feel it in the air tonight, man.
09:45Kalani Jordan is about to cash in, perhaps.
09:48Become two-time North American champion.
09:53Will Collins couldn't have said it better than you, Book,
09:55as now Kalani could be looking for the knockout blow here against Sol Ruka.
10:02Going, uh-oh.
10:04Sol said, uh-uh.
10:06Said that you certainly did.
10:07Now trying to hoist up another counter, trying to roll through again.
10:11Is Kalani, but Sol being able to stay one step ahead.
10:13Oh, that was innovative.
10:15That was almost like a backstabber of sorts.
10:18Modification on the backstabber.
10:20Both feet to the spine of the challenger.
10:23And Ruka thinking about taking it high risk.
10:25What is she thinking, man?
10:27Oh, my gosh.
10:31Oh, my gosh.
10:33The judges give a 10 to Sol Ruka.
10:37And as we've seen in this matchup.
10:39Let these ladies know.
10:52We knew this place would be rocking.
10:53We always talk about the athleticism.
10:55Sol showcasing some power as well.
10:56Oh, and a big splash off the top.
10:59Hook of the leg.
10:59Into the cover.
11:00To retain in another near fall.
11:02That's something.
11:03Oh, no.
11:03Go ahead.
11:04Go ahead.
11:04You go ahead.
11:04Well, I would just say, Sol Ruka showing me something, guys.
11:07Because in her first time on defense, she's doing a hell of a job.
11:10They say, you're not a champion until you go out there and defend that championship in the middle that we got.
11:16This is battleground.
11:17And again, hard to argue.
11:18But another thing to point out, Sol is trying to take a page out of Zarya's book and paid for it.
11:23And it looked like maybe she was trying to enter into the zone of destruction.
11:26Didn't work out.
11:27And Kalani now.
11:30We've seen her win in the past.
11:31With that five-star splash.
11:33Got all of it.
11:34Splash.
11:35Shut up.
11:35And I have her near first cover again.
11:38And a kick out.
11:40For a third time, still not the charm.
11:42Got to stay focused, though.
11:45And there's that rage starting to boil out.
11:47That killer instinct we talked about.
11:48I have to realize, every time the champion is forced to kick out, Sol is forced to exert energy.
11:53Jordan trying to become a two-time women's North American champion.
11:56First to do so.
11:57Sol Ruka looking to be successful in her first championship defense.
12:02A lot on the line in this matchup here, Book.
12:04Right now, we're in a prone position.
12:07Not a great position for both of these ladies.
12:09What's going to happen?
12:10What is she thinking?
12:11Oh, baby.
12:12Oh, my God.
12:13Not a Poison Rana.
12:15She's not going to do it.
12:16She's not going to do it.
12:20And Sol able to counter.
12:23Lilani took too much time.
12:24Poison Rana.
12:25Spear.
12:26She did enter the zone of destruction.
12:28Cover.
12:29Count.
12:30Two.
12:31Oh.
12:32Unreal.
12:35Take another look first at the splash.
12:38Full extension.
12:39Full impact for Jordan.
12:41Not enough to finish the job.
12:43And this is insane impact.
12:46A spear from Sol Ruka borrowing a maneuver from her friend Zarya, but still not done.
12:57Looking for the Sol Snatcher counter though by Kalani.
12:59Again, these two have had so many battles over the last year.
13:02Bringing it to tonight.
13:03Sol now trying to go up top, take another high risk, but Kalani able to cut her off with the pass.
13:09I mean, there is nothing Booker stopping either of these women.
13:12Yeah, right there.
13:13Sol Ruka just wasting a little bit too much time.
13:15Maybe one, maybe two seconds.
13:17And right there, Kalani trying to capitalize off of it.
13:20Oh, baby.
13:21Oh, baby.
13:23Spanish fly.
13:26And another year, Bobby.
13:29This just shows you the prestige.
13:30How much, Corey, this championship means to the locker room and to the two fighting over it.
13:36And you see Zarya on the outside barking orders, perhaps motivation to the champion Sol Ruka.
13:42Incredible effort thus far by both of these women, but neither able to pick up the W just yet.
13:50You can feel Tampa right now.
13:52I wonder who they're, whose corner they're in.
13:54Who are they trying to rally in this moment?
13:57We've heard the chant a few times over the years.
13:59Both these guys.
14:00I think if both these girls would be apropos in this instance.
14:04Counter for counter.
14:05Oh, my God.
14:07Kalani just dropping balls.
14:08What I like about Kalani, she will fight you, man.
14:11She will throw hands.
14:13I love it, man.
14:15I think that's what it's going to take at this juncture.
14:17Sol has always said she wants this championship.
14:20She wants to prove herself.
14:21She's certainly doing it here.
14:23She's certainly doing it now.
14:24Fully focused in.
14:26Kalani, though, able to counter and then just stop through.
14:29But look where she's at, Graves.
14:30Looking for that one-of-a-kind split-legged.
14:32Hey!
14:33Zarya just...
14:39Take a hike, Zarya.
14:42Zarya helped her partner, but...
14:44At what cost?
14:47Oh, keep your head in the game!
14:48Incoming!
14:48Jordan from behind with what could be the dagger that ends Sol's title reign.
14:56Hey, Booker, did you just feel the momentum shift in this matchup?
14:59I mean, the air just seemed to have gone out of the room right now.
15:03Right now, Kalani Jordan is in perfect.
15:05Wait, wait, wait, wait.
15:05Oh, countered again, was looking for that Sol snatcher.
15:08Kalani right now, nothing will stop Jordan.
15:11She continues to persevere and push through.
15:14She was so happy.
15:15She was so excited, elated to be the first champion to carry that lineage.
15:19She wants to make history one more time here tonight by becoming the first woman to hold
15:23the women's North American title twice.
15:25But Sol now, perched high again.
15:30Going up.
15:31Oh!
15:32Sol freaking snatcher from the top!
15:36One, two, three!
15:37And Sol secures her first successful defense.
15:42Bang!
15:43Here is your winner, and still, the NXT Women's North American Champion, Sol Ruka!
15:56Graves, you are a man of many words, but the look on your face when we just saw that, you
16:02were speechless.
16:03My jaw about hit the table in front of us.
16:06Take another look at Zaria getting caught red-handed.
16:09Her heart may have been in the right place, but she got a one-way ticket back to the locker
16:13room as a result.
16:16Sol Ruka took her eye off the prize for just a moment.
16:19But when you are capable of that sort of breathtaking athleticism, you can afford a mistake from
16:27time to time.
16:28What a victory by the champion, Sol Ruka.
16:32Absolutely unbelievable standing O for Sol Ruka, who continues to roll and ride the wave
16:43of momentum as champion here in NXT.
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