WWE NXT recently received a sizable jolt. Becky Lynch, the winner of the first-ever women’s main event in WrestleMania history, went down to her old stomping grounds in Orlando. Lynch unseated NXT Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton to win the title in a shocking result that had everyone watching. Becky’s victory meant that the legendary Lynch became the company’s latest Grand Slam Champion.
The historic title win for Lynch has led to her sticking around the place for a while. She’ll compete this weekend at ‘NXT: No Mercy’ in Bakersfield, CA, in an Extreme Rules Match with Stratton with the championship on the line.
Among those who’ll no doubt be watching? NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes. No stranger to the spotlight, Hayes is also scheduled for a big championship defense on the show. He will tangle with Ilja Dragunov in a rematch of their heralded encounter at ‘The Great American Bash’ in July. But ahead of that, ‘Melo stopped on the road to the Golden State to praise the superstar known affectionately as ‘The Man.’
“It’s great for the program, it’s great for the talent,” Hayes said of Lynch’s presence on the show and in Florida. “She can help elevate a lot of the girls, the women in the women’s division. So you know, it’s fantastic for them.”
Amid her superstardom, Lynch has made an effort to help the superstars of tomorrow under the learning tree. She’s already become entangled with both Stratton and up-and-comer Kiana James. Becky also had a backstage interaction with fan-favorite prodigy Roxanne Perez, and a match between those two would also be boastworthy.
As far as interactions between the two champions? Hayes said the two have talked here and there, but the life of a champion has kept him busy. He was sure to also recognize that that’s Becky’s life as well and that you can’t sit around. You have to focus on everyone coming at you, left to right. Lynch dealt with Stratton and James this way recently like Hayes has Dragunov on his tail and other upstarts.
“Becky down in NXT is so great for everybody, and I’m sure she’s enjoying it,” Hayes said, noting that the pressures between the show and WWE Monday Night Raw are much different.
You can see Lynch, Hayes, and the superstars of NXT at ‘NXT: No Mercy’ this Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. The event will air exclusively on Peacock, live from Bakersfield.
