The women’s Speed tournament continued on NXT with an explosive start and a race to the finish, while advancing a key storyline heading into Worlds Collide.
On Tuesday, NXT’s Lainey Reid battled AAA’s Faby Apache. Seated at ringside was Natalya, Apache’s opponent this Friday at Worlds Collide.
Apache’s match with Reid marked her WWE debut after a nearly 30-year career, which may explain her modest reception
from the NXT crowd. But she quickly won them over once the bell rang.
Apache immediately blasted Reid with a dropkick out of the corner. After playing to the crowd, she followed with a head-scissors takeover, then flattened Reid with a cannonball dive to the floor.
To her credit, Reid battled back and nearly stole a quick win with a sunset flip out of a test of strength. After a brief exchange of counters and near-falls, Apache regained control. With less than 50 seconds remaining, she landed a German suplex that almost won her the match.
Looking to put Reid away, Apache climbed to the top rope. That’s when Natalya hopped the barrier and locked eyes with her. Momentarily distracted, Apache went for a Swanton Bomb, but Reid moved, then hit a running knee to the face to score the pin.
Next, Reid faces Candice LeRae on Sept. 23, with the winner set to challenge Sol Ruca for the Women’s Speed Title that Saturday at No Mercy. LeRae, who was the first Women’s Speed Champion, advanced in the tournament last week with a win over TNA’s Xia Brookside.
As for Apache, she still has a shot at championship gold. So does Natalya. On Friday, they’ll meet to determine the No. 1 contender for the AAA Reina de Reinas Championship.
Last month at Triplemanía, tensions rose after AAA women’s champion Flammer defeated both women in a triple threat match, sparking a heated post-match exchange between Apache and Natalya. During Apache’s match with Reid, announcers Vic Joseph and Booker T wondered which version of Natalya will show up on Friday: her familiar WWE persona or the more aggressive Nattie Neidhart seen at independent shows outside WWE.
