On the latest episode of NXT, Dakota Kai defeated Rhea Ripley to earn a shot at Io Shirai at NXT TakeOver: XXX.

Last week, Kai again staked her claim as the next woman to challenge Shirai for the NXT Women’s Championship. This sparked a confrontation with Ripley, who hopes to regain the title she lost to Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 36.

As a result, William Regal scheduled a Number One Contender’s Match for this week’s episode. Kai and Ripley went all out in an intense and wildly entertaining match.

Rhea looked to put “The Captain of Team Kick” away with the Riptide. However, Dakota nimbly reversed it into a high angle DDT to survive.

Later, Ripley appeared to be poised to execute a Super Riptide from the top rope but Mercedes Martinez suddenly appeared and interfered. “The Latina Sensation” is the newest member of the Robert Stone Brand, so she used this as an opportunity to get revenge on her manager’s behalf.

Dakota Kai took advantage of the confusion and hit Ripley with a GTK to become the new number one contender. She will go on to face Io Shirai in a few weeks.

NXT TakeOver: XXX take place on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020. It will stream live on the WWE Network.