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QUESTION OF THE DAY: What did you think of Sasha Banks vs. Bayley? Did it live up to the hype? 6 weeks ago, Sasha Banks and Bayley had what I personally called the best women's wrestling match ever. Tonight, they not only had the history of their prior encounter raising expectations for their rematch, but also the pressure of being in arguably the most significant women's wrestling match of the WrestleMania Era. Main-eventing Raw and main-eventing a special event that only people who pay extra can see are different beasts. Stephanie McMahon was sitting at ringside, adding one more element to the equation as the pair of budding female wrestling icons made their entrances for the IronWoman match. 30-minutes later, another classic was in the books and another step forward was taken in the actual Divas Revolution in WWE. One thing is for certain about NXT: it is providing a new way for legendary moments to happen. I know I won't forget the Takeover: Brooklyn match, but the presentation that we were given tonight may prove worthy of topping it as time's test is passed. Both Banks and Bayley cried tears that were a likely combination of joy, relief, and sadness - joy for having accomplished something that many never thought possible, relief that they lived up to the hype and delivered the match that they were capable of, and sadness when the reality set in - for Banks that she had to leave the very NXT that she helped become a product worth taking all over the world and for Bayley that she now carries the responsibility of nudging NXT ever forward as her contemporaries take the Revolution that they collectively started to a greater spotlight without her. The 30-minute IronWoman match was a fitting follow-up to the 20-minute standard set the night before Summerslam. Hypercritique if you so desire, while I sit back and admire. I find it fascinating just how psychologically sound these women are in between the ropes. That was the smartest Ironman match this side of Angle vs. Lesnar. The initial show of respect that led to intelligently crafted counters off of the moves performed a month and a half ago was the right way to start. It got everyone settled in for the long haul and gave the ladies a chance to remind us that they can go hold-counter hold with the best of them. Sasha getting into Boss-mode 9-minutes in took the contest to a different level. It was as if her character realized that the niceties simply wouldn't work for her and reverted to her comfort zone of absolutely awesome antagonism. There might not be a better WWE heel (at least in the ring) than Sasha Banks. The falls were just right; never too much, but enough to satiate any part of the audience that wanted to see the gimmick fully utilized in its potential for a high-scoring output. Both of Sasha's falls were earned by being a bad girl, the second perhaps the most memorable part of the match as she stole a very young Bayley fan's headband and paraded around the ring with it while the ref counted out Bayley. The young fan cried and I felt a little guilty for smiling about it - not at the child's displeasure mind you, but at just how effective the move was by Sasha Banks. She left little doubt by the 15-minute mark that, even though the NXT crowd might be doing their usual thing and cheering for everyone, the story that they were telling on that canvas was of, pardon my French, one mean bitch to be overcome by the scrappy champion. The last half of the match was a brilliant example of how to make a comeback, how to set up a finish, and how to execute this not-so-easy-to-pull-off gimmick. The work that they both did on each other's limbs to build the climax was outstanding, making the sequence to end the match that much more emotive. The post-match flower bouquets given to each woman with the roster, Triple H, and Stephanie joining the crowd in a standing ovation was an incredible visual. Another memory created. Another excellent performance. It's hard not to love NXT. (Doc rating - **** 1/2) There were other things on this show and I'd be remiss if I did not mention them, but tonight's main-event is the reason I tuned in, the reason I stayed up to write a review, and the reason I'll watch again someday. Asuka showed personality to accompany her in-ring prowess in her debut. Never forget how big a deal that is after watching the progression of Bayley and Banks these last few years. Apollo Crews had a nice showing; his opponent, Tyler Breeze, would be on the main roster already if he didn't look like Dolph Ziggler's kid brother (tag team in the future?). The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic ended well. The opening match (**1/2) was not as exciting as the second (***1/4), which given each match's fairly short length also translated to the second match being better; I am a big fan of Jason Jordan and Chad Gable (love the crowd using our Olympic Hero's theme to create a Gable chant). The finals of the tournament featured a good combination of what worked in both semi-final bouts (***). The trophy looked great and the tournament was a nice tribute to the late American Dream, may he rest in peace. I can't wait for the next NXT Takeover.
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