100 Greatest WWE Matches Of All Time (Ranked)
95. Bayley vs. IYO SKY (WrestleMania 40)
The story going into WrestleMania 40 had Damage CTRL (a faction Bayley herself started) falling to pieces. Members like IYO SKY and Dakota Kai led a rebellion against Bayley's leadership that eventually peaked when the matriarch was booted out of her own nest. That led to 'Mania and Bayley's quest to take the Women's Title from her old pal IYO.
WWE agents got every single story beat bang on when building to the blowoff. Then, in Philadelphia, SKY and Bayley used the 14 minutes of ring time handed to them wisely. They didn't disappoint. Not even close. Both hinged the bout's story on Bayley gritting her teeth and fighting through the pain - physically, she was battling niggling injuries, but then there was the mental strain of watching her own creation mutiny against her.
It was a solid piece of business, one which convinced Triple H that deposed champ SKY could be useful as champion again later on. Inarguably, the follow up on Bayley's big babyface moment sagged. Her title reign couldn't match her title win, but she'll always look back on 'Mania 40 with a beaming smile. IYO will too, because she proved she was more than just a dazzling high-flyer with pretty moves. SKY showed she could tell stories, and bloody good ones at that.
This will never outright win 'Best WWE Women's Match Ever' awards, but it deserves acclaim for blowing off an excellent storyline and launching Bayley back to the top of the division. There was a lot to like in Philly as WWE's fave 'girl next door' baby returned to her old NXT form on the grandest stage.