2. Bayley (c) vs Sasha Banks
Iron Man Match
NXT Takeover: Respect 10/7/2015
NXT Women’s Championship
There couldn’t be a top five list without this match. This match broke so many boundaries that it would be blasphemy if it wasn’t listed. Not only was this the the first time that women participated in an Iron Man match, but it was the first time women headlined a WWE event. At the time it was also the longest match put on by women in WWE history, which since has been broken by the Royal Rumble match earlier this year.
Before a punch was even thrown, the crowd was chanting, “women’s wrestling,” “this is awesome,” and “you deserve it.” For both women, this event was extremely important. Bayley had defeated Sasha Banks to become the NXT Women’s Champion just two months prior at Takeover: Brooklyn. At this point of their careers, Banks had just debuted a few months ago on the main roster as Bayley stayed behind in NXT, but with gold around her waist.
Banks excels in her heel persona as she taunts the crowd, Bayley’s family, and even makes Bayley’s number one fan, Izzy, cry. Bayley attempts to take the higher road in the match, but Banks reminds her why she can’t be trusted. The first fall doesn’t occur in the match until about 9 minutes in. She uses the ropes to her advantage to get leverage as she pins Bayley. The referee catches her and breaks the count. Banks capitalizes and executes a rake to the eyes the champion while the official wasn’t looking. This gave Banks the advantage with a roll up pin to go up 1-0. Throughout the match, Banks focuses on Bayley’s previously injured hand.
Bayley is able to tie up the score just a couple minutes later as she catches “the boss” offguard with the bayley to belly. Banks uses the count out rule to her advantage for her second fall as she throws Bayley into the LED board at the top of the ramp. Bayley is unable to get back into the ring in time and falls to a 2-1 deficit.
Bayley was able to tie the score up after catching her opponent offguard as she was able to grab another pin. The match stayed at a 2-2 tie until the final seconds. Bayley thought she had the extra pin needed as she executed a bayley to belly off the top rope. She, however, rolled Banks over too far for the pin and Banks was able to get her foot on the ropes to break the count. The final two minutes of the match was filled with finishers and submission moves that made every last fan watching on the edge of their seat. The match ended with Banks tapping out to a submission from Bayley at the last second. Bayley retained.
