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Tonight, in the main event of NXT TakeOver: RESPECT, Bayley defends the NXT Women’s Title against Sasha Banks in a 30 minute Iron Man match. Who will go the distance? The Diva Dirt team weighs in:
Chris: This is one of the things I always dreamed about but never thought would happen. Growing up as a fan of women’s wrestling, I never thought this moment would happen. I’m so glad it is. It’s hard for me to express in words what I feel about this, so rather than give some big long speech about how amazing this story has been, how amazing the hype has been, or how amazing the match will be, I’ll just quote the words of William Regal, “This match is going to change the world.” Best of luck to both women, this is what wrestling is all about. Bayley wins.
Erin: It’s kind of funny that the most anticipated Divas match in years is a pretty predictable one, at least from my viewpoint. I don’t think there’s any chance that Bayley’s dropping the title tonight: the torch was already passed at TakeOver: Brooklyn, and this match will only help that flame burn brighter. Of course, that doesn’t mean this won’t be a competitive match. I expect it to come down to the wire, with Sasha and Bayley running neck-and-neck with their fall counts, and Bayley pulling out the decisive victory in the closing moments. This is the epilogue of her Cinderella story and the prologue of what should be an exciting new era for the NXT Divas division. I’m sure both Divas will kill it tonight, but Bayley will be the one leaving with the belt.
Jack: This match is going to be everything. If WWE.com can vote the TakeOver: Brooklyn match these two had as the best match in NXT history, god knows what they are going to do in a 30-minute Iron Man match. Whilst I could see WWE making more history by having Sasha become the first ever two-time NXT Women’s Champion and the first person to hold any NXT belt twice, I think Bayley has this in the bag. What with Sasha being on the main roster and gunning for the Divas Title, her holding the NXT Women’s Championship would contradict what happened with Paige if they let her hold both. I see no point in her winning here if they are just going to make her forfeit it later down the line. I digress, she isn’t Divas Champ yet. With this being Bayley’s first title defense and with her being firmly rooted in NXT, I see her retaining so that she can go on to feud with Emma (please!), Asuka and Nia Jax. Speaking of the latter, what a way to debut by attacking Bayley after the match? Bayley for the win!
Jake: I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited about a women’s match on a Pay-Per-View…besides anything Layla or Chyna related. This will be an incredible contest. One thing I love about Sasha is she always tries to outdo her previous matches and this will be no different. I realistically see this going the full half hour without either Diva scoring a pinfall or submission on the other. An overtime draw will be the only way to settle the score. The ultimate way to send Sasha to the main roster would be by making her tap out and showing her who is really boss. I can see Bayley using a new submission finisher or even the Banks Statement to force the Boss into tapping out and ending this rivalry. I cannot wait.
Josue: Just when you thought a Bayley versus Sasha Banks match couldn’t get more exciting, NXT surprises us by giving us a historic rematch. Not only are Bayley and Sasha going to have the prestigious honor of having the main event slot at a NXT TakerOver show but the fact that they’re competing in a 30 Minute Iron Man match just makes the title for this show RESPECT that more fitting! This may be one of the very last times we will see Sasha at NXT now that she has found a new home on the main roster where as Bayley will continue to be the female representative of NXT. That being said, I see Bayley retaining in what is expected to be a MOTY candidate.
Kyle: This match is the end of an era in so many ways. This marks the end of Sasha’s run in NXT. This is the end (for now) of the Four Horsewomen. This match is the climax of a storyline of two years. With this being Sasha’s swan song, expect some new spots and moves. Also, expect the violence factor to be amped up. I think with Sasha and Bayley’s constant references/comparisons of this match to the famous Hart/HBK inaugural Iron Man match, I predict that there will no be a single fall in the 30 minute period. This match WILL go into overtime and I see a Bayley-to-Belly/Hugplex to get the only fall to have Bayley win and retain the NXT Women’s Championship.
BREAKDOWN: 6 for Bayley, 0 for Sasha.
