Since September, Izzi Dame and NXT Women’s North American Champion ‘The Adelaide Powerhouse’ Zaria have been feuding, with Dame claiming Zaria's fierce, untouchable persona was nothing but a "fake act" and vowing to peel back her layers one by one. Weeks have gone by, and eventually, ‘The Adelaide Powerhouse’ would give Dame a Women’s North American Championship opportunity at Halloween Havoc; however, in a shocking turn of events, Dame would refuse to let the title be put on the line, stating she doesn’t care about the belt; she only cares about exposing, hurting, and breaking Zaria personally. On the take-home episode of NXT before Halloween Havoc, Dame would paint ‘The Adelaide Powerhouse’ as a lonely, insecure kid who used to constantly shift hobbies and change hair colors because she couldn't fit in. In reaction to this vignette, the NXT Women’s North American Champion would walk out of the arena in a fit of rage.
During the Women’s Top Contender Battle Royale to see who would face NXT Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan at Halloween Havoc earlier this month, Zaria eliminated Dame. However, Dame would execute a sneak attack that eventually led to ‘The Adelaide Powerhouse’ being eliminated. Both women would brawl on the outside, with officials needing to get involved. A week later, Dame dug up old pictures of the Women’s North American Champion and had them posted on her locker. She explicitly targeted Zaria’s past, highlighting her look without her signature face paint to prove she is hiding from her true self.
Fed up with the mind games, ‘The Adelaide Powerhouse’ offered to put her title on the line at Halloween Havoc. Instead, Dame, a former NXT Women’s North American Champion herself, declined the offer. Dame continuously mocks Zaria by calling her “princess” and wants to hurt her personally and emotionally. She claims Zaria's "mask would slip". Dame taunted the NXT Women's North American Champion for hiding behind different hobbies, instruments, and hair colors as an awkward kid because she didn't fit in. The former North American Champion brought up how ‘The Adelaide Powerhouse’ tried to act like an untouchable monster until she came to NXT and let her guard down for a friend, referencing Sol Ruca, which ultimately backfired. Dame vowed to make Zaria face her deep-seated loneliness and insecurities. Her vignette in this past episode of NXT hurt the Women’s North American Champion so badly that she had to leave the arena. ‘The Adelaide Powerhouse’ promised violent retribution.
If Zaria is going to bring the aggression, she needs to make sure she thinks before she acts. She is dealing with Dame, one of the master manipulators of the NXT women’s locker room. The former North American Champion can easily outwit her opponent if ‘The Adelaide Powerhouse’ is in a fit of rage. While the current champ may not like the mind games, perhaps she may need to use some of her own back at Dame.
I believe Dame will win this match. Not only will the former North American Champion embarrass the current champion once again, but this time outwit her and defeat her in the squared circle. ‘The Adelaide Powerhouse’ will now have a major issue to deal with, as Dame could potentially challenge her for the title whenever she may ask. If her head’s on straight, Zaria could certainly win; however, I believe her emotions will get the best of her.
