'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
This year's Extreme Rules event was a bit of change compared to recent years events. This year the pay-per-view was dubbed The Horror Show and going into the event we had some unique match-ups, including Seth Rollins and Rey Mysterio going head-to-head in an eye for an eye match, and a cinematic swamp match between Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman.
The focal point of the women's matches, however, were Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks and Bayley. Although not defending their shared titles, both women had title matches – Bayley defending her SmackDown Women's Championship against Nikki Cross, and Asuka putting her RAW Women's Championship on the line against Sasha.
The event has probably left us with more questions than answers, with that strange finish to Sasha and Asuka's RAW Women's Championship bout, and small moments between the two that could point us towards the next steps for the pair.
Here are some of the standout moments between Sasha Banks and Bayley from Extreme Rules 2020, with an insight into where the women are heading on their journey to domination in the WWE.
#1 Sasha Banks holding Bayley's SmackDown Women's title
As Bayley took to the ring to defend her title against Tag Team Champion Nikki Cross, there was something very interesting about Sasha Banks, who was supporting her partner at ringside. As Bayley and Nikki battled one another, Sasha was not only holding on to her and Bayley's tag titles, but she had Bayley's SmackDown belt around her waist.
Usually, the title would be on the timekeeper's table, but this time, it was worn by Sasha, despite the title not even belonging to her – is she just being protective on behalf of her best friend or is this hinting towards the much-anticipated title feud between the two women?
After Bayley was declared victorious, the pair made their way back up the ramp. Sasha Banks was gazing at Bayley's title draped over her shoulder, another potential hint at what is yet to come between the current Tag Team Champions.
#2 Interference from Sasha Banks in Bayley vs. Cross
Bayley and Nikki Cross had a great back-and-forth during their match, with big moments such as Bayley using Nikki’s usual trick of trapping her opponent in the ring apron against her, and Bayley taking a quick break from the action to show off her new haircut to the bewildered commentary team. Both women got in some great moves against the other, and the match was building to an intense finish when Sasha Banks became involved.
Sasha Banks caused a distraction by starting an argument with the referee, and Alexa Bliss then getting involved in the commotion. Just before this happened, Sasha had sneakily given her ring to Bayley, who used this distraction to her advantage, pummelling Nikki in the midriff. Bayley managed to retain her title, and Nikki was left writhing in pain in the middle of the ring, much to the amusement of the arrogant heels.
#3 Bayley and Sasha Banks speak to Kayla Braxton
After the finale of the intense showdown between Seth Rollins and Rey Mysterio, we saw Bayley being interviewed by Kayla Braxton. Bayley began coming across as uncharacteristically sympathetic during this, and discussed with Kayla and the viewers how Rey was one of her childhood favorites who had inspired her, before she quickly reverted to her usual persona, when she claimed, "You're not seeing double vision, I'm still Bayley dos straps," and clapped her titles together in celebration.
Sasha Banks then joined in the conversation, introduced by Bayley (who by this point, had snatched the microphone away from Kayla) as her best friend, the blueprint, and the boss - but not before she listed her own accolades. Sasha Banks and Bayley laughed together as the former claimed that she would be becoming "Two Belts Banks".
Bayley and Sasha Banks appeared to be super confident in this segment, truly cementing their current position as the cocky heel team in the WWE Women's Division. Surely, this swaggering, hubristic attitude is what may eventually cause their downfall, isn't it?
#4 Asuka and Sasha Banks go head to head
Both Sasha Banks and Asuka entered the match for the RAW Women’s Championship accompanied to the ring by their tag partners. Asuka had Kairi Sane in her corner, and champs Bayley and Sasha came in together with an air of self-assurance.
Asuka and Sasha Banks quickly gained traction in this match-up, as Sasha applied brutal, desperate hand stomps and finger levers to Asuka. The Japanese star threw in daring, athletic moves to counter Sasha. During the match, which was potentially the stand-out of the entire night, Kairi encouragingly cheered on Asuka. At the same time, Bayley watched on, appearing frustrated when Asuka was managing to get defensive moves in against Sasha.
As the match continued, Sasha Banks became more and more exasperated with Asuka, shouting her down when she countered her offense and worked her way out of submissions time and time again, with Sasha even feigning an injury to her knee. The near falls from both women continued as the match rumbled on, Bayley and Kairi still looked on from ringside.
#5 Bayley turns referee for Sasha Banks
Towards the end of the intense battle between Sasha Banks and Asuka, Bayley decided to become involved. She provided a distraction at ringside by hitting Kairi Sane with a Bayley to Belly, before throwing Sasha's tag belt into the ring. Asuka and Bayley then engaged in a small back-and-forth, with the SmackDown women's Champibeing knocked down by Asuka.
Sasha Banks then grabbed her tag title, with the official trying to prise it away from her. Sasha argued and fought against this decision, as Asuka crept up behind. Asuka unleashed the green mist on who she thought was Sasha. Unfortunately for Asuka, Banks had ducked to avoid the mist, blinding the referee who couldn’t carry on.
This was used to the advantage of Bayley, who used this opportunity to smash Asuka with the SmackDown Women’s belt, before stealing the shirt of the referee to declare herself as the new official and declare Sasha the new champion.
After this moment, the commentary team sat in confusion, wondering whether we really do have a new RAW Women’s Champion in WWE. With a rematch set for the next episode of RAW, we will just have to wait and see.
