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Bayley and Sasha Banks‘s Women’s Title match at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn has been named WWE.com’s second greatest match of the year.
The match was beaten out by only one bout – Brock Lesnar, John Cena and Seth Rollins‘s Triple Threat World Heavyweight Title match at Royal Rumble – and is described on the list as fulfilling the promise of a Diva Revolution:
An arrogant champion who thinks nothing can touch her. A gutsy underdog who gritted her way to the big time and willed herself to finish the job. A fanatically devoted crowd at their most rapt, raucous attention. A promise of a “revolution” fulfilled and, finally, a well-deserved curtain call for four trailblazers. The amazing thing is, everyone involved is just getting started.
Four other Divas matches made the list, starting with #20: a tag team match pitting AJ Lee, Naomi and Paige vs. Natalya, Brie and Nikki Bella on the March 30th episode of Raw:
At WrestleMania 31, AJ Lee & Paige defeated The Bella Twins when AJ forced Nikki to tap. The following night on Raw, The Bellas were hungry for revenge. The alliance of AJ and Paige was strengthened by Naomi, while Nikki and Brie welcomed Natalya. After AJ was punished for the bulk of the match, the self-professed Geek Goddess finally managed to tag out. That’s when chaos reigned. As all six Divas charged each other, Nikki went to elbow Naomi, who dodged the blow. As a result, Nikki flattened her sister and was subsequently pinned by Naomi for the win. The match was not only memorable for its frenzied dynamics but was arguably an opening salvo in the Divas Revolution.
#15 is Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks’s NXT Women’s Title match at NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable:
In a revolutionary year for women’s wrestling, Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch’s NXT clash could be easy to underrate next to the gems that followed it. Make no mistake: It was just as good as any of its successors. Altering the perception of a “Diva” with each passing second, both women implemented an emphasis on submission wrestling, zoning in on specific body parts of their opponent and taking massive risks throughout the course of the contest. And yes, Banks retained to keep the division’s status quo. But the game had changed by the time she was done.
#10 is Bayley and Sasha Banks’s TakeOver: Brookyln rematch — a 30-Minute Iron Man NXT Women’s Championship match at NXT TakeOver: RESPECT:
Bayley-Sasha Banks II earned its place in history before the two even touched. It was both the first-ever women’s Iron Man Match, as well as the first instance of women main-eventing a WWE special event. Expectations amongst NXT devotees were insanely high for this return bout, and the pressure brought out the best in the rivals. The wicked Banks made a little girl in the crowd bawl, the inspiring Bayley overcame a hellacious beating to retain, and the NXT Universe boisterously heaped their approval upon all of it. Forget Iron Men: By the night’s end, Bayley and Banks were bonafide Supergirls. Scratch that: Superwomen.
Finally, at #5 is Bayley, Becky Lynch, Charlotte and Sasha Banks — Fatal 4-Way NXT Women’s Title at NXT TakeOver: Rival:
This match defies a moment-by-moment description of why it deserves to be here, because the match itself was the moment. Charlotte, Sasha Banks, Bayley and Becky Lynch’s four-way tussle for the NXT Women’s Title was the most defining statement of their division’s collective passion and talent. And even if Sasha’s name was scribbled down as the winner, to label anyone a “loser” after the efforts on display would be nitpicky to the point of cruelty. It was so good, and everyone involved was so perfect, that Charlotte even allowed herself a quiet “follow that” moment behind the curtain. She needn’t have been so modest: The message was loud and clear.
You can view the full list on WWE.com.
