WWE’s 5 Most Technical Bra & Panties Matches
1. Torrie Wilson & Stacy Keibler Vs. Lita & Trish Stratus (Special Guest Referee: Mick Foely)
Date: 22 July 2001
Location: Invasion (Cleveland, Ohio)
The first ever Bra and Panties Tag match had the misfortune of following the classic Hardcore Championship clash between Rob Van Dam and Jeff Hardy as well as a viewership eager to see the Inaugural Brawl between The Alliance and Team WWE. Here the Bra and Panties stipulation likely stopped the women performing to a bored, if not hostile, crowd.
The Technical:
Lita’s match opening spear hit hard. Trish sold Torrie’s limited head pounding offense well. Trish reversed an attempt at a double team clothesline, coming back with a double clothesline of her own. Lita popularised the snapmare takeover using an opponent’s own removed shirt. Stacy ducked Lita’s attempt at a flying crossbody from the top rope resulting in an effective bump. Torrie used an innovative stretch while standing on Trish’s hair removing her top in the process. Lita and Trish teamed up to nail Torrie with a Poetry in Motion and a tag team strip down. Trish hit the Stratusfaction on Stacy, Lita followed up with a Litasault, and stripped Stacy’s bottoms. The match is rare in the Bra and Panties canon as showcases finishing moves over a match specific spot. It’s also a plus that both finishers are iconic.
Both teams showed an understanding of the technique and psychology of tag team wrestling. However, Lita and Trish deserve technical props for masking their opponent’s in-ring inexperience to portray a competitive and entertaining fight.
The Titillating:
Torrie and Stacy’s pre-match flirting with special referee Mick Foley was fantasy projection at its finest.