Sasha Banks defeats Charlotte to regain title in first women’s match to main event WWE Raw since 2004

WWE’s “Women’s Evolution” has had its ups and downs since starting as a “Divas Revolution” in 2015. The company’s Monday night flagship, Raw, has suffered ratings struggles and critical beatings of late.

Both experienced an historic high on the Oct. 3rd episode from Los Angeles. WWE announced on the pre-show that Sasha Banks and Charlotte’s match for the Women’s championship would main event this edition of Raw. And throughout the night on social media, right up to an epic video package documenting the rivalry between the Boss and the Queen, the first women’s match to main event a Monday night since Lita vs. Trish Stratus in 2004 felt like a big deal:

The decision to have Charlotte regain the title from Banks at SummerSlam was reportedly because Sasha needed rest for and an evaluation of her ailing back. Fortunately, the Boss didn’t need much time off, but her back was a focal point of the champ’s attack and the story of this, the latest battle in their long war.

In addition to that, the ladies built on their history. Charlotte in particular looked to innovate on things like her already famous moonsault-to-the-floor spot:

In the end, Charlotte was caught in a Banks Statement from which, despite momentarily reversing it into a cover, she could not escape. The Nature Girl tapped, and Sasha has joined her as a two-time champ on the main roster.

It may not have equaled the emotion of some earlier Women’s matches, or even Sasha’s first win. There were missed spots. But the crowd was invested and the story was there. Factor in the history, and Bank’s second title win was a moment to remember.

The post-match scene led us to believe this current incarnation of their feud isn’t quite over yet. And with Hell in a Cell coming up later this month, there may yet be more history for this special pair to make.

Stay tuned.