WWE Raw: Results, Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for Feb. 12

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Sasha Banks vs. Bayley

Result: Bayley defeated Sasha Banks via pinfall

Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

Full disclosure: This is a rematch of the first match that legitimately made me cry tears of joy. Sasha vs. Bayley at TakeOver: Brooklyn in 2015 was, to that point, the most emotionally draining match I had ever seen live. The company had done such a tremendous job of building up to that moment that I feel like it was impossible not to get emotionally invested.

Two and a half years later, so much has changed. The story isn’t there to the same level it was the first time around. It seems like, even though the Sasha/Bayley relationship literally spans Bayley’s entire main roster run, this has been rushed. The “turn,” if you can call what Sasha has done a turn, came kind of out of the blue. It didn’t happen when it logically made sense, but now they’re running with it? Okay.

All that said, this was terrific. It was by far Bayley’s best main roster match – yes, better than her championship victory over Charlotte last year, in my opinion. Even if the history between these two has been glossed over on Raw, I know what’s there. Knowing how this fits into the greater scheme of things bumps it up that extra notch. Sure, Charlotte and Bayley had history, but not like Banks/Bayley.

Sasha did everything she could to try and put Bayley away not only for this match, but for longer. The focus on the injured shoulder was a clear sign that there was little “friendly” in this friendly rivalry. Bayley picking up the victory was the right call, too.

I was waiting for the hug at the end to get rejected and Sasha to finalize her turn to the dark side, but instead Nia Jax just bulldozed both competitors. It was beautiful. Her rationale was solid, too – both Bayley and Banks had pushed Asuka to her limit, and Jax took them both out in less than 30 seconds. Faulty logic aside, if that doesn’t make you want to see Jax/Asuka even more now, you’re made of stone.

(Hey, did you all notice that Bayley pushed Sasha out of the way before Nia attacked? Little things in the story telling like that are the best.)

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Mini Shield + The Bar = Mini Bar?

Rollins is getting ready for his match when he gets a “pep talk” from Roman Reigns. They bring up the Royal Rumble, where Reigns tossed Rollins. Cesaro and Sheamus come in, only to get made fun of because WWE babyfaces. And everything calms down, Rollins yells “Nice skirt, fella!” because WWE babyface.