10 key women’s matches that have led to the first ever women’s main event at WrestleMania

#9 Beth Phoenix vs. Melina - I Quit Match (One Night Stand 2008)

Beth Phoenix and Melina prove to the WWE that women can wrestle in matches with respectable stipulations.

Both Beth Phoenix and Melina were among the stronger female wrestlers throughout the Divas era so it shouldn’t be a surprise they both were part of the first ever women’s ‘I Quit’ match at One Night Stand. The fact that there was no Championship on the line between the two wrestlers in this match is a clear indicator that the WWE wanted to take a risk on women’s wrestling with such a stipulation.

This match ended up becoming the only respectable women’s match that took place throughout the four One Night Stand pay per views – one year earlier at One Night Stand 2007, Melina competed against Candice Michelle in a pudding match.

The ‘I Quit’ match was significant to building the Women’s Revolution because this match stipulation is one the WWE very rarely uses, so the thought of two women competing during a time, when other women’s matches like ‘Extreme Makeover’ or ‘Bra and Panties’ were also around, was unfathomable.

Even though the quality of the wrestling may not be on the list of the best women’s matches in WWE, this match was still important in proving that women can wrestle in a concept match that doesn’t have to involve them taking off their clothes or rolling around in pudding.