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Throughout the last few years, professional wrestling has seen major changes in regard to the presentation of women. In WWE, four notable names are those that make up what has been called the promotion’s “Four Horsewomen.” They are Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Bayley, and Sasha Banks (now Mercedes Moné in NJPW). All four have gone on to achieve major successes. They are all former world champions and some of the biggest names in professional wrestling. Undoubtedly, the four of them are history makers. Fans always wanted to see a fatal four way between them on the main roster. While this did not happen, the only encounter between all four women happened at NXT TakeOver: Rival.
Before The Four Horsewomen Were Major Names In WWE, They Started In NXT
Before all four women went on to achieve monumental success on the main roster, they began their time in WWE as members of the NXT roster. They were just beginning to make names for themselves as top names in the world of professional wrestling. Before the match took place, Flair had been on a dominant reign as NXT Women’s Champion. After a brawl broke out between all four on an episode of NXT, William Regal made it official that, at NXT TakeOver: Rival, they would all compete for the title in a fatal four way match.
The Four Horsewomen's Only Match Together Was A Great One
NXT TakeOver: Rival took place on February 11, 2015, at Full Sail University. On a match card that also featured Kevin Owens facing Sami Zayn for the NXT Championship and Finn Bálor facing Adrian Neville (PAC in AEW), this match stood out as one of the best of the night. All four women made their entrances down to the ring. Flair was entering with an over 200-day reign as champion, with three challengers who all had a legitimate chance at becoming the new champion on that night.
When the bell rang, the action immediately started. While Lynch and Banks had somewhat of an alliance, it quickly ended when they both tried to pin Bayley. This match was every wrestler for themselves. There were various stories playing through the match. Banks wanted to claim what she believed was rightfully hers after earlier attempts at the title. Flair sought to continue a reign of dominance. Lynch and Bayley were establishing themselves at legitimate threats who should not be overlooked and deserved to be in the title picture.
The match was very back and forth, with everyone getting an opportunity to shine throughout. Signature moves were exchanged. During the bout, double team moves would be used to incapacitate another opponent. It was emotional, with many nearfalls happening during the match. After Banks dove onto Lynch and Bayley on the outside, Flair went over the top rope to take all of them out. Bayley also hit a Bayley-to-Belly suplex on Flair from the top rope. After Banks threw Bayley out, she tried to pin Flair but could not. She applied the Bank Statement, but Flair did not tap. Eventually, Banks turned it into a pin and won. It was her very first championship victory in WWE. It signaled a new era in NXT with Banks at the top.
The Legacy Of The Four Horsewomen
While Banks won the match, no one looked weak in defeat. Rather, all four women went on to achieve great success. All four of them have had incredible successes and matches in professional wrestling. All of them are decorated wrestlers, with numerous championship wins and classic matches between all of them. They have also all reinvented themselves and become tremendous stars. Lynch became “The Man” and won both the RAW and SmackDown Women’s Titles in the first women’s main event at a WrestleMania. Flair has been a singles champion across NXT and the main roster. Bayley has become one of the most entertaining heels in WWE and is the longest reigning SmackDown Women’s Champion. Banks has since left WWE, reinvented herself as Mercedes Moné, and became the IWGP Women’s Champion. From classic matches to titles, they have all proven why they are some of the very best in the business today.
When asked by ESPN when they thought that the Four Horsewomen could be something big, Bayley said, “...when we had the Fatal Four-Way at NXT TakeOver: Rival in February 2015 when I knew as a group we had a chance to be something special and make history.” History has certainly proved her right. While that was the only televised match between all four, it was a glimpse of the future ahead.
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