These are heady days for the British wrestling scene.
Drew McIntyre sits atop the RAW men’s roster and as of this coming Sunday, his Scottish compatriot Nikki Cross has the opportunity to do the same for the Smackdown women’s division.
Cross is no stranger to WWE gold, having held the women’s tag team championship alongside Alexa Bliss, but this will be the first time she challenges in Smackdown singles competition.
In her way at The Horror Show at Extreme Rules is reigning champ Bayley, but with the fervent support of those back home, Nikki is determined to put her name in lights for those back at home.
“I did just try and focus on the task in front of me and not on home,” she said. “But then, at the same time, who am I doing this for if it is not the people at home? The reason I am doing this is for my family, and it is for Scotland, it is very emotional to think about having that impact.
“For so long you just keep your head down, and keep working, you are just so focused on what you do, and doing the best job you can. You think about home in terms of family and friends but you don’t realise the impact you are having at home.
“I know there will be a lot of Scottish fans watching so it is going to be a truly special moment for me and Drew.”
Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross during their Tag Team title reign
Nikki has been central to storylines across the women’s division over the last 12 months, not only holding the tag team titles, but also growing as a character on segments like A Moment of Bliss, and now reestablishing he singles competition roots that fans are used to from her NXT days.
A constant through this time has been Alexa Bliss. A best friend who has not only been a great partner in the ring, but one who has been able to offer help and guidance along WWE waters that can be tricky to navigate.
“It has been amazing,” Nikki says of her time working with Little Miss Bliss. “Being in NXT and then going to RAW and Smackdown, with Alexa being there, there have been so many different ways she has helped me.
“Even something as simple as me being so erratic and reckless in NXT, but I like to say that Alexa took me and focused my energies. She has really helped me focus. Being on NXT, RAW, and Smackdown are three very different experiences, and being with Alexa, she has really been able to help me navigate through that.
“She has a different way of being able to tell a story, and has been able to help me with that as well. It is all about those little touches and she is so good at that. Getting to work with your best friend is a very fun experience.”
You can watch Nikki Cross take on Bayley for the Smackdown Women’s Title at in the early hours on Sunday morning exclusively on the WWE Network.
