The 25 best WWE NXT matches of all time

18. Asuka (c) vs. Nikki Cross in a Last Woman Standing match for the NXT Women’s Championship

Asuka and Nikki Cross had been going to war for several weeks before their NXT Women’s Championship match at NXT TakeOver: Chicago. After a triple threat match ended in a no contest, and saw both women spilling through a table, the Last Woman Standing stipulation was added to their next bout. It would be the first of its kind for women’s wrestling and the two would not disappoint.

With no rules involved it seemed to favor the chaotic style of Cross, but Asuka would not be deterred. Even after taking a hard powerbomb off the ring apron to the steel ramp below, she continued to press the fight against Cross.

The two women went back and forth with hard strikes emphasized with trash cans and steel chairs. Eventually the fight spilled over towards the announce table, where a ladder was introduced into the match.

After fighting atop the ladder, Asuka took control and suplexed Cross off the top down through the announce table below. Cross was unable to continue the match but Asuka made it back to her feet before the referee completed his 10-count to retain her title. It was one of the most grueling and physical women’s matches to date.