On August 12, 2015, at Full Sail University, the WWE NXT brand delivered an eventful night that culminated in a defining moment of the women’s division with the highly anticipated Becky Lynch NXT 2015 match against Bayley. This contest marked an important step in the Women’s Revolution, providing a showcase of intense competition and emerging talent within the brand.
The show began backstage with NXT General Manager William Regal addressing tensions involving Kevin Owens. Regal maintained impartiality, denying Owens’ demands but allowing NXT Champion Finn Balor to defend his title in a ladder match against Owens, setting a compelling storyline for the upcoming Takeover: Brooklyn event.
Undercard Highlights and Rising Stars
The opening match featured Solomon Crowe taking on Tye Dillenger, who had adopted his “Perfect 10” persona on recent tours. Despite Crowe’s energetic and cruiserweight-style approach, Dillenger secured the victory after delivering a knee version of the Eat Defeat finisher. Commentator Rich Brennan pointed out Dillenger’s rising heel momentum in the arena, though Crowe was noted as needing more wins to build his profile.
Baron Corbin next faced Axel Disher in a brief encounter that ended in under 40 seconds, amid “boring” chants from the crowd. Post-match, Corbin cut a promo boasting dominance but was interrupted by Samoa Joe, who accepted Corbin’s challenge to face him at a later date. Their ensuing confrontation ended with Joe applying a rear naked choke, rendering Corbin unconscious. This altercation foreshadowed a highly anticipated clash at the upcoming Brooklyn show.
Other notable segments included a backstage encounter with Mojo Rawley and Zack Ryder, and Tyler Breeze’s self-recorded video expressing gratitude to Regal for arranging his match against Japanese wrestling legend Jushin Liger. Breeze’s confidence was evident as he referred to his previous win over Hideo Itami, adding further intrigue to their match-up.
Title Defense and Rivalries Leading to Brooklyn
The NXT Champion Finn Balor faced Marcus Louis in a swift non-title match. Balor displayed control through a series of offensives culminating in his finishing move, the Coup De Grace, sealing the match in under three minutes. However, the evening escalated when Kevin Owens ambushed Balor, landing a pop-up powerbomb and mocking him with the NXT Title before leaving the ring. Their heated rivalry, steadily building for months, was a central storyline for the upcoming Takeover: Brooklyn event.
The Vaudevillains were spotlighted with a segment where they brashly promised to contain Alexa Bliss, only for Bliss to retaliate by striking Simon Gotch and Aiden English. This added tension to the women’s division and provided a glimpse into evolving alliances and rivalries.
A video package introduced Uhaa Nation, soon to debut as Apollo Crews at Takeover: Brooklyn, promising fresh energy and athleticism akin to Kevin Owens’ explosive entrance at a previous show. This added anticipation for new talent unveiling at the landmark event.
Becky Lynch and Bayley Ignite the Women’s Revolution
The evening’s climax was the unforgettable match between Becky Lynch and Bayley, showcasing the growing intensity of the NXT women’s division. Bayley exhibited slight nervousness initially, but both competitors quickly displayed their wrestling prowess and resilience. Lynch leveraged suplexes and submission holds, including multiple armbars and tight chinlocks, while Bayley responded with powerful counters, high-flying moves, and strategic use of the ropes.
The crowd was thoroughly engaged, showing strong support for Lynch’s aggressive tactics, while commentary highlighted the women’s evolution in NXT. Bayley, often regarded as a “superhero” to fans for her underdog spirit, delivered a series of impressive offensive maneuvers including a running bulldog and a high-speed elbow strike. The contest was marked by a near fall just before the climactic finish, keeping the audience in suspense.
In the final moments, Lynch attempted her signature Disarmer armbar, but Bayley adeptly countered and capitalized with a pin for the victory. The match lasted nearly 13 minutes, underscoring the stamina and skills both wrestlers brought to the contest.
Aftermath and Impact on NXT’s Women’s Division
Bayley’s win crowned her as the number one contender going into Takeover: Brooklyn, while Becky Lynch’s performance reinforced her status as a mainstay in the Women’s Revolution. Post-match, Sasha Banks joined the broadcast table to hold up the Women’s Title, providing a symbolic endorsement for the future of the division and signaling intense competition ahead.
This match and the surrounding storylines emphasized NXT’s strategy of long-term storytelling. The build-up to Takeover: Brooklyn included multi-month arcs such as Balor versus Owens and the protracted Bayley-Banks rivalry, both enhancing audience investment. The event also introduced new faces and set the stage for future rivalries, promising an exciting evolution in professional wrestling’s landscape.
As NXT continued to receive heightened attention, this Becky Lynch NXT 2015 match positioned the women’s roster as a central, electrifying feature of the brand’s dynamic character-driven narratives and in-ring performances.
