10 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Star Ratings Dave Meltzer Got Wrong

3. Bayley Vs. Sasha Banks - NXT TakeOver: Respect

sasha banks bayley
WWE.com

Actual Rating: ****1/4, Revised Rating: ****3/4

Meltzer posits that this match is slightly inferior to their match at TakeOver: Brooklyn, the rating for which (****1/2) I'm in agreement with. In my opinion, this is marginally better, but just short of perfection.

The original is botch-free and more streamlined, with an arguably greater emotional heft resulting from Bayley's cathartic first title win. The Iron Man sequel, while flabbier and beset by minor timing errors and miscommunications in the early going (hence the not-quite-perfect rating), is a weightier affair. It's also a better demonstration of character. Banks is nasty in Brooklyn in her attempts to break Bayley's fingers with her heel, but is absolutely ruthless here. Stealing Bayley superfan Izzy's headband and tossing it away nonchalantly at the sight of her tears, Banks put on such a vicious clinic of a heel performance that it's no wonder most every hardcore fan treats her as one of the biggest faces in the company today.

Bayley too develops her character by astutely recalling their previous match and mauling Banks' fingers to force the win at the death, in an all-time great turnabout is fair play finish.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!