PWP Nation’s Editor-in-Chief Caden Moran returns with “Personal Opinions” as he gives his thoughts on the rise of Shayna Baszler and why she is one of WWE’s best
During the Summer of 2017, WWE held the first ever Mae Young Classic tournament. A field of 32 women from NXT and around the world competed for a chance at immortality. Throughout the tournament, a former MMA star made her presence felt and her name known.
Shayna Baszler was seen to not have a chance to make it as far as she did during the inaugural Mae Young Classic. However, “The Queen of Spades” proved everyone wrong, including myself, and found herself in the final of the tournament.
Even though Baszler lost to Kairi Sane, she showed the wrestling world she had what it took to hang with the veterans. Even with a loss, Shayna Baszler made herself a name that we would get to know for a long time coming.
Even though Baszler lost to Kairi Sane, she showed the wrestling world she had what it took to hang with the veterans. Even with a loss, Shayna Baszler made herself a name that we would get to know for a long time coming.
Now, I am a huge fan of this woman. However, that wasn’t always the case. When Shayna first debuted during the tournament, I was not a fan. I didn’t think she was going to last and I thought she was average at best as a wrestler and character.
When it comes to those who are relatively new to professional wrestling, they all deserve a chance to take time, grow and prove their doubters wrong.
That is exactly what the now two-time NXT Women’s Champion did to me.
Shayna Baszler’s growth as a wrestler and character over the last two years has been nothing short of incredible. Her matches with Sane, Ember Moon, Bianca Belair and Io Shirai over her time in NXT have produced star-making moments for Baszler.
Not only have they produced star-making moments such as becoming the first ever two-time Women’s Champion, but as time has gone on, her role as an unstoppable force has produced a long-term heel for WWE.
In a time where the villains are seen as cool and often get cheered more than the babyface’s, Baszler is a breath of fresh air.
Heel’s are meant to be despised and jeered. Unlike guys like Kevin Owens and Daniel Bryan who get cheered despite doing heel things every night, Baszler is presented and reacted to as a true heel.
When she first debuted, one could argue that the heat she received was “go away heat”. However, as time went on, the reaction she received turned into legitimate heel heat.
A heel needs to do heel things and they need to receive a genuine heel reaction. Shayna Baszler does just that and receives just that in return. Her job as a heel instantly makes her one of WWE’s best superstars.
Her match quality, improvement over the years and incredible job as a heel have made one of “The Horsewomen” one of the best WWE has to offer.
I look forward to seeing what Shayna Baszler has to offer as the years progress.
What is your opinion on “The Queen of Spades“?
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