There is some tough competition for Feud of the Year in professional wrestling. Miz versus Dolph Ziggler and AJ Styles versus John Cena were clearly the frontrunners heading into the final quarter of 2016.
Now, there is a new leader in the clubhouse. Charlotte versus Sasha Banks has momentum on its side as the best feud of 2016.
After 16 months of build and rebuild, the women of WWE have become a force to be reckoned with. What looked like it would fall flat due to poor booking and undefined roles for its females, the women’s division in WWE may be the strongest part of the roster heading into 2017.
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A lot of that can be attributed to the success of the feud between Sasha Banks and Charlotte.
For years, WWE has been looking for a feud that would challenge Lita and Trish Stratus for supremacy amongst women. To be clear, the Attitude Era of WWE was the most successful of any period that pushed the women’s division toward the top of the company ladder.
This recent surge by Banks, Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Bayley and Alexa Bliss is still in its infancy and will grow if the women continue to break ground on new and exciting matches and programs.
The Banks-Charlotte feud has been near the top or at the top of great matches this year because of consistency and chemistry and a devotion by the creative team to make it work. WWE also took chances in making these two women the best in the business – on both the men and women’s side of the ledger.
Here are five reasons why these two women are WWE’s Feud of the Year.
#1 The best of all time?
Back in the day, Lita and Trish Status set the bar for women in this business. They took chances and told an amazing story while still dealing with the antics of pillow fights and bra and panty matches. The two women developed a genuine rivalry and friendship that turned into serious respect.
While Stratus is the most decorated women’s champion of all time, Lita helped make her a star and vice versa. I have always believed that a star is only as good as their competition in this business.
Banks is every bit Charlotte’s equal. While Charlotte is the best performer, Banks is the kryptonite to her opponent’s strengths.
Ric Flair and Charlotte had a discussion on WWE Ride Along where the comparison was made that this feud was much like the one between Ric Flair and Wahoo McDaniel. In time, Banks and Charlotte could go down as the greatest rivalry in women’s wrestling history.
#2 The best thing going today
I know I stole this one from Ric Flair, but it is so true. There are issues with depth across the board for WWE. Dolph Ziggler and The Miz are stuck in a dead end feud. The same can be said for AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose.
Also read: 5 Reasons the Women's HIAC Match did not live up to expectations
While there is a push to include Bayley and Nia Jax in this program and Dana Brooke will get a major push at some time. Who would have thought the women of this company would be leading the charge heading into 2017?
WWE is working on putting the Universal Title on Roman Reigns and has AJ Styles leading the charge for the blue team. Charlotte and Banks and the supporting cast is the most consistent part of programming.
#3 Hell in a Cell
When news first broke WWE was going to do the unthinkable and put Banks and Charlotte in the steel structure at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, fans worldwide knew something special was about to happen.
Never before had there been such anticipation of a match and an ending.
The ending did not live up to the hype, but the match set the tone for the future of the division and the business. Essentially, Banks and Charlotte are trendsetters. The build was perfect. The abuse in the ring was on point. I was worried this kind of match would take away from the talent of both wrestlers. It enhanced it.
There are many instances where cage matches fall short. This one lived up to the hype. It also could not have worked with any other two women in this company.
#4 Telling a story
The relationship between Sasha Banks and Charlotte is one of the better stories told this year. While being a champion has proven to be a solid move for both women, the challenger in each instance has proven to be just as worthy.
In the interviews leading up to Hell in a Cell, both performers were candid in the importance of the event. The believability in the match, the promo cut by Mick Foley at the contract signing showed how great this feud really is.
A few years ago, TNA did a promo for “Wrestling Matters” which allowed stars to tell fans what the business meant to them. You could see how important matches between these two are to them both.
It also shows that the matches are important, but the build and the story told outside the ring are just as vital to the feud’s success.
#5 The Flair factor
The story Sasha Banks told last Monday night was the onus for an ending that spoke volumes. How can a match of that magnitude not include the Nature Boy? Banks was gushing over the importance of competing in Charlotte, Charlotte’s hometown.
She emphasised how Flair had made wrestling famous in the Queen City and how she was dedicating the match to Charlotte’s father. Once Banks beat Charlotte, only to have Ric Flair come out from the back and raise the new champion’s arm in victory – was the stuff of wrestling legend.
I don’t think Flair will be used in another angle in the same capacity as he was when Charlotte turned heel and claimed the first ever Women’s Title. But if the 16-time world champion can put over the woman who beat his daughter, the victory is that much sweeter.
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