Since capturing the WWE NXT Women’s Championship, Shayna Baszler has been a dominant force in the world of professional wrestling. There are plenty of tough women in the wrestling business, but very few of them can claim they used to fight in a cage for a living. That’s only one of the reasons why Baszler is the best in the business today.
Before starting her career in professional wrestling, “The Queen of Spades” made an impact in the mixed-martial arts (MMA) world. During a time when women in the sport weren’t taken as seriously as their male counterparts, Baszler made everyone sit up and take notice by racking up impressive victories over top names like Julie Kedzie and Alexis Davis.
Baszler devoted her training to a hybrid form of grappling known as catch wrestling which includes “The God of Wrestling,” Karl Gotch, in its rich combat lineage. She studied under former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett and U.K. wrestling legend Billy Robinson, where she learned techniques that would later earn her the moniker of “Submission Magician.”
As her MMA career came to a close, Baszler made the switch to professional wrestler where her martial arts and grappling skills transitioned well. Her WWE debut came at the inaugural Mae Young Classic tournament, where Baszler turned in an impressive performance. She displayed what would become staples of her in-ring persona and used strikes and submission holds to dispatch her opponent with little to no remorse.
I am a PROFESSIONAL. Not some amateur street hoodlum. I uphold the highest standard in this business. This company has no place for trash. #NXT
— Shayna Baszler (@QoSBaszler) July 25, 2019
Although Baszler didn’t win the Mae Young Classic her all-around performance during the tournament earned her a WWE contract. She worked her way through the women’s division and eventually defeated Ember Moon at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans to capture the NXT Women’s Championship.
Since then, Baszler has been on a tear. The NXT Womens Championship only left her grasp once when Kairi Sane defeated her at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV. It didn’t take long for Baszler to reclaim her top spot, earning back the title and a catchy new nickname in “Shayna 2 Time.”
Baszler has made a mark on the black and yellow brand of NXT that few can rival. The only other woman who was as dominant is former NXT Women’s Champion Asuka, who left the brand undefeated. To Baszler’s credit, she’s spent most of her time in NXT as the Women’s Champion. She’s been a fighting champion too, taking on top challengers like Bianca Belair and Io Shirai. Through all of it Baszler has reigned supreme, and now with Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir by her side, she isn’t likely to budge from that top spot anytime soon.
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Beyond the storyline there’s her wrestling acumen itself. Baszler employs a style of deadly strikes and even-deadlier submissions that look devastating in their delivery but are employed just fluidly enough that her opponent stays safe. She has a natural swagger that draws perfect heel heat and she excels at pacing a match.
Baszler could move to the main roster anytime she wants to. She’d slide right into the open spot left by her friend, and fellow Four Horsewoman, Ronda Rousey as a brutalizer. Baszler’s presence would put everyone on notice to step up their game. There’s a clear lack of heels posing any threat to the current champions. Baszler would be a natural challenge to Becky Lynch’s RAW Women’s Championship or even Bayley’s Smackdown Live title. Wherever Baszler chose to go she’d make an impact.
For now she remains on the NXT roster cutting a swath through the entire women’s division and standing tall at the top with title in hand. When she’s completed that task, and she’s ready to move on, we’ll see Baszler in marquee matchups. That’s certain.
She has all the tools necessary to become a breakout star the moment she hits the main roster. She’s already serving up notice every chance she gets at NXT TakeOver events. When Baszler gets in the ring she puts on a fight, is aggressive, and looks dangerous doing it — because she is.
The truth to her background makes her a formidable weapon no matter who she is facing. She holds qualities of a performer that are a rare find these days, combining being a physical athlete with also being a bona fide showman who knows how to tell a story in the ring. And she genuinely loves to wrestle. That is why Baszler is currently the best in the business.