History is made as Asuka and the unpredictable Nikki Cross battle over the NXT Women's Title WWE's first Last Woman Standing Match. Video courtesy of the award-winning WWE Network.

NXT Women’s Champion Asuka made history inside the yellow ropes yet again, this time defeating Nikki Cross to win NXT’s first-ever Last Woman Standing Match. The stipulation — which, until now, had only been applied to matches featuring male Superstars — carries one brutal objective: To incapacitate your opponent to the point that they cannot stand before the referee counts to 10.

Liberated by lawlessness, the undefeated Empress of Tomorrow and her crazed challenger tore at each other at full speed. Asuka slammed a trash can over Cross’ upper body and unleashed a flurry of kicks with Cross still trapped inside, capping off the blitz with a missile dropkick. Cross staggered to her feet by the count of seven. Asuka and Cross exchanged painful slams and suplexes onto piles of steel chairs, but none worse than the powerbomb Cross gave Asuka off the ring apron (which prompted a shocked first “Mama mia!” out of new NXT announcer Mauro Ranallo). It was all Asuka could do to steady herself by the count of nine.

The brawl then spilled toward the announce area, where Cross nearly stopped Asuka with a swinging neckbreaker on the floor. More objects came into play, including a ladder that both Superstars dazedly scaled. Situated high above the NXT Universe inside Full Sail University, Asuka snatched on a facelock and suplexed Cross off the top of the ladder, sending both women crashing through the commentary desk below. Amid the wreckage, Asuka crawled to her feet as the referee shouted “Nine!”

Nikki Cross, however, was not so lucky. She remained floored as the count reached 10, sealing yet another victory for the dominant NXT Women’s Champion — perhaps her hardest-fought yet.