Nikki Cross replaces Alexa Bliss in a Fatal 4-Way Match against Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match participants.

It’s been a while since we saw Nikki Cross, and anyone who expected the rabid banshee of months past, was likely surprised when Alexa Bliss — sans ring gear thanks to an apparent travel mishap — encountered a much more muted version of the Scottish screamer and convinced her to take The Goddess’ place in a Fatal 4-Way among the Raw competitors in the Women’s Money in the Bank Match.

Seemingly energized by the opportunity (some might say manipulation), Cross tapped into her inner honey badger come bell time, and her opponents struggled to find an answer. While Naomi came the closest and Dana Brooke proved to be the smartest by breaking out a ladder — legal under Fatal 4-Way rules — and swooping down on everyone with a crossbody to the outside, Nikki simply wanted it more. In the match’s final moments, The Twisted Sister took advantage of a late-game surge by Natalya to catch her in a hanging spinning neckbreaker through the ropes, earning the victory in the process. Never one to pass along the credit in full, Alexa — who had been watching from commentary — came down to the ring after the match, where Nikki eagerly set up the ladder so The Goddess could climb and pose.

There is, of course, no way of knowing if Alexa really did suffer a luggage disaster or somehow pulled the strings to get an under-looked competitor to take damage she otherwise might have accrued. But either way, it’s difficult to paint this as anything other than a rousing success for both women. Not only did Nikki take out Alexa’s opposition, she inarguably capitalized on her moment in the spotlight — and, crucially, remembered who gave it to her.