It’s time for Ringside Logic to bestow our “Best of the Year” honors. 2021 will go down as an unforgettable year in professional wrestling for both good and bad reasons. Let’s focus on the good aspects of the industry, which consisted of action-packed matches, wild angles, and paradigm-shifting events in and out of the ring.
2021 Women’s Match of the Year: Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair – WrestleMania 37 Night 1
Years from now, people will remember where they were when two Black women put on a stellar main event. Even if you remove the historical implications, Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair was the best match of WrestleMania 37.
Fans were clamoring for a Banks/Belair match-up when Belair won the Royal Rumble match. As SmackDown Women’s Champion, Banks went into the match as the established superstar looking to capitalize on her main event spotlight.
Belair, who made her main roster debut one year prior, was on the fast track to superstardom. She delivered the goods in every outing; however, the question remained. Will WWE go all-in on Belair or give Banks the “grandest stage” to shine bright.
The hair whip spot with the Belair’s long braid was perfect. Banks pulled on the braid throughout the match. In a live by the sword, die by the sword moment, Belair had enough and whipped Banks with one hard shot that echoed throughout the stadium before hitting KOD for the win.
Banks and Belair produced an unforgettable torch-passing moment in an era where WWE is criticized for its failure to create new stars. There is a video where a fan at ringside recorded Banks having such a hard time selling her loss because the moment’s enormity overcame her. Her reaction honestly said it all.
Honorable Mentions: Thunder Rosa vs. Britt Baker – 3/17/21, Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair – 7/18/21, Serena Deeb vs. Riho – 2/17/21, Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair – 11/21/21, Io Shirai vs. Raquel Gonzalez – 4/7/21, Serena Deeb vs. Hikaru Shida Trilogy – 10/6, 10/27, 12/15.
Ringside Logic 