Every WWE Royal Rumble Women's Match - Ranked From Worst To Best
2. Charlotte Flair Vs. Bayley (2017)
'Just Bayley' adorned the challenger's jacket as she entered her first pay-per-view singles shot against an almost indestructible Charlotte Flair. It foreshadowed a total collapse in the booking of her character as the year progressed, but at the time represented her ascent from ringsider to Superstar in contrast to Charlotte's comparatively straightforward route through the system as a second generation star.
The NXT favourite had only been called up to the main roster the prior October, but having sat back during 'The Queen's lengthy title-trading feud with Sasha Banks, she was the most logical option to oppose Flair as the new year commenced.
Playing on her unblemished pay-per-view record at the time, Charlotte controlled the body of the contest with knowing experience. The pair wisely utilised the mammoth 52,000 crowd to play into 'The Hugger's insecurities at that level, particularly when she made a late babyface surge following a lengthy beatdown. A near-fall from a stunning flying elbow whipped the crowd into a frenzy, as did a breathtaking two-count earned by driving her knees into a Charlotte moonsault attempt.
The Champion ultimately highlighted her durability, winning clean with a brutal Natural Selection on the solid ring apron. It suggested brighter days were ahead for Bayley, but presumably neither of them imagined those days would come only a fortnight later.