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8. Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Charlotte Flair — WrestleMania 36
WrestleMania 36 was unlike anything WWE had ever presented. Held at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the usual spectacle, energy, and fanfare were absent, leaving the in-ring product to stand entirely on its own. In that environment, Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair thrived.
With no audience to play to, every strike, every word, and every moment of struggle was magnified. The focus was entirely on the performances of both competitors, and they delivered a methodical, hard-hitting clinic of a match. Charlotte targeted Ripley’s leg throughout, breaking the rookie champion down and dictating the pace. Ripley showed flashes of resilience and promise of what she’d become, but the veteran ultimately took control, forcing her to submit to the Figure Eight.
While the outcome was initially met with skepticism, particularly given Charlotte’s Royal Rumble win and decision to challenge for the NXT Women’s Championship, the match itself told a larger story. In defeat, Ripley gained something valuable: experience on the biggest stage. It became a turning point, laying the foundation for her eventual redemption and what would grow into one of the defining rivalries of the era.
Stripped of spectacle but rich in execution, this stands as one of the most unique WrestleMania matches of the modern era.
7. Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley — WrestleMania 40
For years, Bayley was often viewed as the forgotten member of the Four Horsewomen, rarely given the same spotlight as her peers. WrestleMania 40 was her chance to change that narrative.
After months of tension within Damage CTRL, the relationship between Bayley and Iyo Sky finally unraveled. What started as uneasy alliance turned into something far more personal, with shifting loyalties and a sense that Bayley had been cast aside once again. It was one of the most compelling builds in the division, grounded as much in real perception as it was in storyline. For Sky, it was her WrestleMania singles debut and an opportunity to prove she belonged at the very top.
The match was a tightly contested, highly technical battle between two competitors who knew each other inside and out. Counters came quickly, momentum shifted often, and neither woman was able to pull away for long. Sky targeted Bayley’s right leg throughout, systematically breaking her down and limiting her offense, while showcasing her own arsenal with a trio of moonsaults—a standing version, one from the second rope, and her signature Over the Moonsault—along with a memorable Rose Plant reversal that halted Bayley’s momentum.
Forced to fight from underneath, Bayley leaned on her resilience, absorbing the damage and continuing to push forward until she finally broke through, capturing the WWE Women’s Championship in a long-awaited and well earned singles WrestleMania moment.
In defeat, Sky still arrived, delivering a performance that elevated her in the eyes of the WWE Universe and marked her true ascent into the division’s top tier.
Check back tomorrow as we keep the momentum going with Nos. 6 and 5