Nikki A.S.H. is no more – Nikki Cross is back (Picture: WWE)

Nikki Cross unveiled a new look and more aggressive side as she made an impact on WWE Raw this week.

The former women’s champion – who actually made her name in NXT with a more wild persona as part of SAnitY alongside Killian Dain, Eric Young and Alexander Wolfe – has scrapped her Nikki A.S.H. persona and gone back to a more unhinged character.

With the Almost a Superhero mask a thing of the past, Nikki made a statement at the expense of Bianca Belair and Bayley during and after Raw’s main event on Monday night.

The two top stars battled in non-title action and put on an absolute clinic in excitement and storytelling, but there was one big twist in the tale as Cross appeared and flew off the top rope to take out the referee and Bayley’s Damage CTRL teammates.

With Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky laid out at ringside, Cross attacked Belair in the ring and actually helped Bayley to victory.

However, she also laid out the Role Model, proving she wasn’t simply targeting the Raw Women’s Champion.

Nikki Cross made an impression (Picture: WWE)

Not surprisingly, plenty of fans are delighted by the development, with Cross back in a persona that should give her more freedom, and a better chance of ascending back up the card.

‘THIS is the Nikki Cross I want to see,’ wrote one viewer, as another referenced her pre-WWE days and said: ‘I think its great. She looks great, and she’s back to being a badass. She looks more Nikki Storm than Nikki Cross and that’s a good thing.’

A third fan added: ‘Seeing sinister Nikki Cross return is f**king awesome. We want Sanity back’.

Nikki has previously opened up on how SAnitY was a key part of her development as a performer alongside EY, Wolfe and real-life husband Dain.

I’m unbelievably so grateful for my time with Sanity,’ she exclusively told Metro.co.uk. ‘They helped me develop so much as a person and a performer… All three men are so, so creative. They work hard, they have this great work ethic, and they’re passionate, they love this.’

WWE Raw airs Monday nights at 1am on BT Sport 1.

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