WWE NXT: Ranking the Top 10 Women’s Title Matches of All-Time

2. Bayley vs. Sasha Banks (NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn)

I know, I know…many of you are probably already very upset and I understand why. This may be the most famous match in NXT history and for a lot of people, would be this list’s undeniable #1. There’s certainly an argument and it’s not one I’ll really debate much but even though it isn’t topping my list here, I can’t stress enough how highly I really do rate this match. It was incredibly important for this brand and considering the already discussed main event sequel, it played a pivotal part in establishing women as a main event act in WWE.

Everything from the pre-match video package to the entrances set the table too, it really was a perfect storm of a range of elements all coming together at once. Just as with all their matches together, these two used the contrasts in their characters to tell a strong story as Sasha’s overconfidence clashed with Bayley’s forced fiery aggression early. Once again, moments of Banks’ heel work stand out even looking back now and the clearest example of that here was her crushing Bayley’s previously injured hand in the steel steps.

Her heel work here wasn’t as consistent as it was against Becky as Sasha brought out more flashy offence at times but that may have elevated the match’s overall importance which is fair enough. Either way, Sasha violently stomping on Bayley’s hand mid-Bank Statement certainly brought her heel antics back up a level anyway. Some tremendous action followed and that now famous finish eventually arrived as Bayley reverse rana’d Banks off the top rope and hit Bayley to Belly for the title win.

Whilst I appreciate that it’s a topic very much discussed enough at this point, I personally felt the post-match Horsewomen embrace was a moment worth doing just for the final visual. From start to finish, this was just perfect and without it, who knows how different things would possibly be.