10 Best WWE Matches Of 2017 (So Far)
7. Charlotte Vs. Bayley (Raw - 13th February)
There’s much to be said about the way WWE have mishandled Bayley’s main roster push. Her first Raw Women’s Championship victory came entirely too early, with WWE rushing their way through a botched retread of the underdog story that carried her to the top in NXT, blowing a potentially huge WrestleMania moment in the process. Still, in a bubble, her title winning match was excellent, and the best women’s bout of 2017 thus far.
Charlotte was in her element as a vicious, callous heel attacking Bayley’s neck throughout, with the underdog’s adroit selling drawing the crowd into her struggle. The closing exchanges were particularly exciting, with both women pulling off a bunch of eye-catching spots, highlighted by Charlotte’s barricade Moonsault.
The finish saw Dana Brooke hit the ring to cost Bayley the belt, but Sasha Banks intervened, fighting Charlotte’s protege off, then striking the champion. This allowed Bayley to capitalise and secure the pinfall, but while this contrived finish definitely took some gloss off the contest, it wasn’t enough to ruin it entirely. An excellent match that could have hit ‘all-time great’ status if not for the booking snafus.