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It's a rare sight to see the WWE Superstars of one brand show up on another, is it not? Sasha Banks and Bayley have been RAW Superstars and it was a welcome sight to see them on the blue brand. This was in line with them being fighting Champions, and challenging just about anyone to step up and compete. But they had a surprise in store, waiting for them.
They took on The IIconics in a non-title match. Much to the surprise of everyone in the building and those watching at home, Sasha Banks and Bayley lost the match. Why did WWE book their champions to lose on TV?
I invite you to leave your thoughts and views in the comments as well, folks. What do you guys think of this loss?
Let me know your thoughts and views.
#5 To make the Women's Tag Team picture less RAW centric
Sasha Banks and Bayley realized their dream when they beat 5 other teams to become the first ever WWE Women's Tag Team Champions. And soon after they won the title, they made a very bold claim indeed to the entire WWE Universe. They would defend their Championships on just about any brand at all, even NXT.
But ever since then, the only team that they have really competed against comprises of Nia Jax and Tamina. Last night on RAW, the Divas of Doom stepped up to the plate, but the response wasn't really what the WWE brass anticipated (more on that later). The need of the hour was to remind the WWE Universe that Sasha and Bayley were willing to compete just about everywhere.
And this is why The IIconics pinned the reigning champs this week. To remind us that Sasha Banks and Bayley weren't exclusive to the RAW brand.
#4 To build The IIconics as a viable threat
Peyton Royce and Billie Kay were a big deal back when they were in developmental. Some had even touted them to be the next Bella Twins when they got called up to the main roster. But to the surprise of many, they were treated as little more than enhancement talent during their time on SmackDown Live.
Much like the case has been with Kofi Kingston and Becky Lynch, the WWE Universe has liked The IIconics a lot more than those backstage have believed in them. But I'm guessing that there came a point when they noticed that The IIconics are entertaining and decent in the ring too. And therefore, this is the process of rebuilding them to make them viable competitors.
Now, there's a little heat around the Sasha and Bayley vs. The IIconics match. Earlier, there wouldn't be any because they'd be perceived as mere jobbers.
#3 Because it was just a non-title match
There's a lot that I don't like about WWE's booking, honestly. One of their worst habits is that their champions tend to lose a lot when it comes to non-title matches, even on the television product.
You only need to look at the gauntlet match this week for verification of the theory that I have mentioned. Samoa Joe is the United States Champion and he is going to be in a big program with Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 35, but they had him pinned by Kofi Kingston because it wasn't a match for the title, was it?
WWE tends to forget that people watching at home remember the wins and the losses, and begin to see their champions in a new light if they don't win as often. Daniel Bryan, too, gets pinned a lot more than he ideally should.
Let's hope that Sasha Banks and Bayley are booked to look stronger.
#2 Underwhelming response to Beth Phoenix and Natalya
Beth Phoenix and Natalya have been friends for the longest time. While their role has been understated and undersold, they have been pivotal in what has been described as the women's evolution. And therefore, it's great to see them reunite and challenge Sasha Banks and Bayley for the Women's Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania.
But honestly, if you watch the segment from last night back again, you'll notice something interesting. While the crowd cheered politely enough, they did not go crazy for the Divas of Doom reuniting at all. Maybe this inspired those backstage to take a radical step and make the division a lot more competitive than it currently is.
There's a big chance, in my opinion, that the match at WrestleMania does not feature Superstars from one brand only. Maybe Sasha Banks and Bayley will take on comers from multiple brands at the mega show.
#1 To book a rematch for the Women's Tag Team Championships
Look, this is the obvious one right? The whole point of this match was so that there would be a rematch down the line, this time for the Women's Tag Team Championships. And this time around there is an element of uncertainty. Do the Women's Tag Team Champions have what it takes to defeat The IIconics?
One of the elements that was brought up by the announcers is the fact that The IIconics have been a unit for far longer than Sasha Banks and Bayley. The IIconics have known each other since the independents and they were a cohesive unit while they were in NXT. Not long ago, Sasha Banks and Bayley were each other's throat, fighting with one another.
Whatever the case may be, the Women's Tag Team Division is exciting again. And the truth is that it has not been very exciting in recent times.
Will Sasha Banks and Bayley lose the Championships soon?
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