Whoever emerges as NXT Women's Champion at WWE Worlds Collide will have their work cut out for them as Bianca Belair will challenge either reigning champion Rhea Ripley or Toni Storm at NXT TakeOver: Portland.
The EST of NXT reigned victorious over a tough field in a Battle Royal this week on NXT to earn that opportunity, last eliminating Io Shirai to conclude an eventful and chaotic melee in the black-and-gold brand's red-hot Women's Division.
Making her return to action was Tegan Nox, hitting the ring for the first time since ex-bestie Dakota Kai's shocking betrayal and savage attack back at NXT TakeOver: WarGames. But it was The Captain of Team Kick again having the last laugh. Kai did not compete in the Battle Royal, but emerged at ringside to shove Nox off the top rope and eliminate her, yet again foiling "The Girl with the Shiniest Wizard."
Shayna Baszler's entry stunned both the audience and the competition as the former champion tried to re-establish her dominance over the pack. But instead of emerging with a rematch for her old title, The Queen of Spades may have instead found a new foe in Shotzi Blackheart, who picked the perfect moment to catch Baszler by surprise and discard her over the top rope.