10 Greatest Title Changes In NXT History
2. Bayley Beats Sasha Banks – TakeOver: Brooklyn
The match that put women’s wrestling in WWE back on the map.
Whilst the #Women’sRevolution had been building for a while in NXT, it burst at the seams following this match at the very first TakeOver: Brooklyn.
The match pitted two of the “Four Horsewomen” of NXT against one another; the deviant champion, Sasha Banks, and her mega-babyface challenger, Bayley.
Bayley was basically a deity at this point in her career; she was absolutely untouchable as NXT’s best-loved wrestler and managed to get fans on her side in a beautifully organic and honest way. Banks was her total opposite; a cocky, arrogant heel champion who called herself “The Boss” and flaunted her wealth and bling in the face of everyone. Both women were megastars, and both were incredible in-ring performers. There’s no way this match couldn’t have been excellent.
Easily one of the best matches in NXT history and one of the best women’s matches in WWE history, Banks vs Bayley stole the show in Brooklyn and got everybody talking about women’s wrestling in a positive way, something that seemed impossible just a few years earlier.
Bayley captured the gold from her real-life bestie in one of the most emotional title wins on any brand in recent years. The Brooklyn crowd erupted when she pinned Sasha and did not stop cheering her until her title reign came to an end at the hands of Asuka.
When you talk about history-making matches, you have to talk about Banks vs Bayley in Brooklyn. It is a match that wouldn’t have been nearly as memorable if anyone other than the most popular superstar in NXT history had walked out with the gold.