10 Worst Ways The WWE Women’s Championship Has Been Defended

Winning the title via a reverse decision during a Bra and Panties may seem impossible, but WWE pulled off the perplexing feat in early 1999. Going in to the match, Sable was champion and was accompanied to the ring by her bodyguard/valet Nicole Bass.

Debra was her opponent, and despite only really being presented as Jeff Jarrett’s valet, she managed to leave with the gold. After fifty seconds of hair pulling, dress tearing and distractions from Val Venis, Sable ripped Debra’s dress off and was declared the winner.

As Michael Cole attempted to interview the retaining champion, acting Commissioner Shawn Michaels, who had been providing guest commentary for the match, entered the ring and proceeded to throw his weight around.

After telling Bass to “Back off, Mister”, Michaels insisted that the woman stripped down to their underwear should be the winner, and not the other way round. All logic or questions about how the match would have worked had both competitors been aware of those rules going in aside, this was the epitome of Attitude Era booking.

With swerves for the sake of swerves, little-to-no in ring action, and interference from no fewer than four other members of the roster, this title change is indicative of the contempt WWE held the division in at the time.