Women’s wrestling has evolved dramatically over the past decade, producing some of the most technically brilliant matches in sports entertainment. From NXT’s developmental showcases to WrestleMania main events, these legendary encounters have shattered barriers, redefined expectations, and proven that women’s wrestling deserves equal billing with any match in wrestling history. Here’s a countdown of the 10 greatest women’s wrestling matches ever, each representing a milestone in the sport’s evolution.
10. Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka – SmackDown Women’s Championship Match (WrestleMania 34, April 8, 2018)
Asuka’s undefeated streak was on the line against Charlotte’s championship. The match featured intense back-and-forth action, with Asuka’s submission attempts and Charlotte’s high-risk maneuvers. The decisive moment came when Charlotte applied the Figure Eight, leading to Asuka tapping out, ending her streak and retaining the title.
9. Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair – SmackDown Women’s Championship Match (WrestleMania 37, Night 1, April 10, 2021)
Making history as the first Black women to main event WrestleMania, Sasha and Bianca delivered a stellar performance. Key moments included Bianca’s impressive press slam and Sasha’s suicide dive countered into a gorilla press. The climax saw Bianca hitting the K.O.D. (Kiss of Death) to secure the pinfall and win her first SmackDown Women’s Championship.
8. Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley – NXT Women’s Championship Match (WrestleMania 36, April 5, 2020)
Charlotte targeted Rhea’s leg throughout. Despite Rhea’s resilience and attempts at her Riptide finisher, Charlotte’s strategy paid off. The match concluded with Charlotte applying the Figure Eight, leading to Rhea’s submission and Charlotte capturing the NXT Women’s Championship.
7. Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks – Hell in a Cell Match (WWE Hell in a Cell, October 6, 2019)
In this intense Hell in a Cell match for the Raw Women’s Championship, both competitors utilized the cell structure innovatively. Memorable spots included Sasha’s Meteora onto a ladder and Becky’s dropkick with a chair assist. The match ended with Becky applying the Dis-Arm-Her, forcing Sasha to submit and retaining her title.
Also Read: Ranking the Top 10 WWE NXT Matches of All Time
6. Asuka vs. Ember Moon – NXT Women’s Championship Match (NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III, August 19, 2017)
Ember Moon presented one of the toughest challenges to Asuka’s undefeated streak. Highlights included Ember’s Eclipse finisher, which Asuka narrowly escaped. The match concluded with Asuka applying the Asuka Lock, forcing Ember to submit and retaining her championship.
5. Trish Stratus vs. Lita – Women’s Championship Match (WWE Raw, December 6, 2004)
In the first women’s match to main event Raw, Trish Stratus defended her title against Lita. Key moments included Lita’s suicide dive, which led to a neck injury scare, and Trish targeting Lita’s neck thereafter. The match concluded with Lita countering the Stratusfaction into a reverse Twist of Fate, followed by a moonsault to capture the Women’s Championship.
Trish Stratus vs Lita
WWE Women’s Championship
RAW (2004) pic.twitter.com/GYrir8ElQZ— 2000’s WWE (@2000s_WWE) March 20, 2023
Also Read: Ranking the 10 Best NXT Live Main Events of All Time
4. Charlotte Flair vs. Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch – Triple Threat Match (WrestleMania 32, April 3, 2016)
This match marked the inauguration of the WWE Women’s Championship, retiring the term “Divas.” Highlights included Sasha’s tribute to Eddie Guerrero with a Frog Splash and Charlotte’s corkscrew moonsault to the outside. The conclusion saw Charlotte applying the Figure Eight on Becky, while Ric Flair prevented Sasha from breaking the hold, leading to Charlotte’s victory and crowning as the new champion.
3. Sasha Banks vs. Bayley – 30-Minute Iron Woman Match (NXT TakeOver: Respect, October 7, 2015)
In WWE’s first-ever women’s Iron Man match, Sasha Banks and Bayley showcased their endurance. Memorable moments included Sasha taunting Bayley’s superfan, Izzy, and Bayley’s reverse hurricanrana. With the score tied in the final seconds, Bayley applied a modified armbar, forcing Sasha to submit as time expired, winning 3-2 and retaining her championship.
Also Read: Ranking the Top 10 WWE Superstars of the 90s
2. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch – Last Woman Standing Match (WWE Evolution, October 28, 2018)
At WWE’s first all-women’s pay-per-view, Evolution, Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch faced off in a brutal Last Woman Standing match for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Highlights included Becky delivering a leg drop off a ladder through the announce table and Charlotte trapping Becky in a Figure Eight with a ladder assist. The decisive moment came when Becky powerbombed Charlotte through a table, preventing her from answering the ten-count and retaining her title.
Which is the greatest women’s wrestling match of all time?
Bayley vs. Sasha Banks – NXT Women’s Championship Match (NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, August 22, 2015)
Bayley challenged Sasha Banks for the NXT Women’s Championship. Key moments included Sasha’s daring suicide dive and Bayley’s top-rope hurricanrana. The climax saw Bayley execute the Bayley-to-Belly suplex from the top rope, securing the pinfall and her first NXT Women’s Championship.
