5. NXT Women's Championship Match: Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks - NXT Takeover: R Evolution
For the majority of 2014, Sasha Banks flew under the radar in NXT. As the sidekick to both Charlotte and Summer Rae, the Diva had demonstrated a considerable in-ring skill but was never really allowed the opportunity to showcase her abilities. It was clear that she was much better than the four minute matches and consistent losing suggested and at NXT Takeover: R Evolution, she was able to prove to the world just how good she was. Challenging NXT Women's champion Charlotte, Banks turned in one of the best performances of any female competitor in 2014. She was incredibly intense and appropriately aggressive as she unleashed on Charlotte in an attempt to wrest the title away from her. Commentators Rich Brennan, Alex Riley and Corey Graves did an excellent job of putting the self-proclaimed "Boss" of NXT over as she wore Charlotte down with a head scissors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD09wsaVaec As the champion fought her way back into the match, hard-hitting and high-impact maneuvers ensued and near-falls ensured that the final moments of the match would be incredibly dramatic. Eventually, Charlotte delivered Natural Selection from the top rope and scored the pinfall victory but it was Banks' performance in the contest that won her much-deserved rave reviews.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
