History was made during Night 1 of WrestleMania 37 as Sasha Banks and Royal Rumble winner Bianca Belair headlined the card with their WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship match.
History in the making!#WrestleMania @SashaBanksWWE @BiancaBelairWWE pic.twitter.com/YHPwGHvp7Y
— WWE (@WWE) April 11, 2021
The emotion of the moment was clearly shown on each woman’s face as the match began. Banks scored first blood as she slammed Belair down by her ponytail, which led to the “EST of WWE” performing a kip up. Early on, Belair outpowered Banks but was unable to do much damage as Banks was able to counter the challenger’s attacks. This changed after Belair caught Banks, pressed her while walking up the stairs and then threw her into the ring.
The POWER of @BiancaBelairWWE!!! #StrongEST#WrestleMania @SashaBanksWWE pic.twitter.com/36eOGRRoVv
— WWE (@WWE) April 11, 2021
Banks would get back into the match by grabbing Belair’s hair and delivering a series of brutal kicks. Belair would get revenge by using her braid to pull Banks into the rail post. Belair would hit an incredible vertical suplex where she used the ropes twice and then picked Banks up several times. Belair would go to the top rope and went for a 450 splash, but Banks got her knees up to counter.
#TheBoss got the knees up!!#WrestleMania @SashaBanksWWE @BiancaBelairWWE pic.twitter.com/pTzCeqbrfs
— WWE (@WWE) April 11, 2021
Belair would catch Banks and powerslam her twice for a two count. Bianca went for a third, which led to Banks countering it with a face-first slam of her own. Banks would get a near fall with a double springboard tornado DDT. Banks would then go to the top rope and hit a splash on Belair. Afterward, Banks showed her nastiness by attacking Belair’s arm and throwing her challenger into the steep steps.
PLANTED!#WrestleMania @SashaBanksWWE @BiancaBelairWWE pic.twitter.com/MDo68weubs
— WWE (@WWE) April 11, 2021
Banks would then use Bianca’s braid to lock in a variant of the Banks Statement. Belair clawed toward the ring and was able to escape much to Banks’ dismay. Banks would injure her knee, which allowed Belair to go for another splash from the top rope for a two count. The two would tussle over Belair’s braid, which she then used to whip Banks. Belair would then hit a KOD for the win and becomes the new SmackDown Women’s Champion.
