Mercedes Martinez to challenge for NXT Women’s Championship

Image: WWE

Raquel Gonzalez has a date and an opponent for her first NXT Women’s Championship defense.

Gonzalez will defend her NXT Women’s Championship against Mercedes Martinez on NXT in two weeks (Tuesday, May 11). The match was announced after Gonzalez beat down Martinez on tonight’s NXT.

Martinez faced Gonzalez’s tag team partner Dakota Kai on tonight’s NXT, but the match ended in a disqualification when Gonzalez attacked Martinez. Gonzalez was at ringside during the match and got into a confrontation with Martinez. Gonzalez went to hit Martinez, but Martinez moved out of the way and punched Gonzalez. Martinez then went back into the ring, but Gonzalez attacked her to cause the DQ.

Gonzalez then beat down Martinez and laid her out by launching her head-first into the plexiglass surrounding the ringside area.

After Martinez had called out Gonzalez, Kai responded last week and told Martinez that she wouldn’t be getting a title shot. Martinez called Gonzalez a lapdog and said she would take out Kai so that nothing would be standing in the way of her challenging for Gonzalez’s title.

Gonzalez defeated Io Shirai in the main event of TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night one earlier this month to win the NXT Women’s Championship.

The next challenger for Johnny Gargano’s NXT North American Championship was also confirmed on NXT tonight. As a result of Bronson Reed defeating Austin Theory, Reed will be getting another shot at Gargano’s North American title. WWE hasn’t announced when that title match will be taking place.