Raquel Gonzalez suffered the ultimate betrayal at the hands of Dakota Kai. But the NXT Women’s Champion would crush her former friend’s championship dreams at NXT TakeOver 36 and hang on to her title.

Despite the size difference, Kai gained the upper hand early in the match, pummeling her former friend into the canvas. Even as the champion attempted to hit the Chingona Bomb, Kai was able to counter into an armbar that weakened Gonzalez further.

Dakota Kai suffers a nasty landing after being bounced off the top rope by NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Kai threw everything she had at Gonzalez, including a back-cracking Kairopractor, a double stomp off the top rope, but it was not enough to fell the powerful champion. Gonzalez emerged victorious after a devastating Chingona Bomb from the middle rope, retaining her title.

But just as the NXT Women’s Champion put Kai in her rear-view mirror, a new threat emerged. Kay Lee Ray, the longest-reigning NXT UK Women’s Champion in history, arrived in the Capitol Wrestling Center, her sights clearly set on Gonzalez’s title.