WWE Evolution: Star Ratings For All 7 Matches

3. Kairi Sane Vs. Shayna Baszler - NXT Women's Title Match

Charlotte Flair Becky Lynch Star Rating
WWE.com

Kairi Sane and Shayna Baszler boast an amazing dynamic - one so good that it warrants what is, by NXT standards, a surplus of sequels. Sane is the sweetheart babyface with a deceptive fire in her belly; Baszler is the disgusting bully. It's classic pro wrestling stuff advanced through Sane's spectacular style and Baszler's MMA-honed legitimacy.

If there's one nagging complaint to be made, it's that Baszler's trademark wince spot is too gruesome-looking to be deployed anywhere else but the finish. It is a literal arm-breaker in the fiction undermined whenever the match isn't called off, much less when not sold. Sane looked in agony when attempting a spinning back fist at her comeback, but pulled off her Anchor submission bearing no ill effects. Baszler reversed it, where Sane probably should have crumpled to the mat herself.

There were moments sloppier than this throughout the show that haven't been singled out. This moment only was because this simulated a real, incredible fight so brilliantly at every other point.

Beyond that, this was exceptional - particularly the TakeOver: Brooklyn IV sequel callback in which Baszler kicked out of the opportunistic pin. This portrayed Baszler as an evolved wrestler, and forced Sane to mount an uplifting, straight fire comeback only thwarted by the interference of Baszler's Horsewomen cohorts in cameos that paint the future of the NXT Women's division as something even better than its wonderful history.

Star Rating: ****

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!