Bianca Belair won an incredibly hard-fought match against Sasha Banks to become the SmackDown Women's Champion at WrestleMania.
For weeks, fans, rumors, and reports went back and forth on what match would headline night one of WrestleMania 37. The day before the big night, WWE finally confirmed what match would be getting the nod. Sasha Banks versus Bianca Belair for the SmackDown Women's Championship. Not only the first time a women's singles match has headlined WrestleMania, but also the first time two black women have closed the show.
That moment was certainly not lost on Banks and Belair. Although the two managed to keep their composure during their elaborate WrestleMania entrances, the emotion began to get the better of both of them as they stood in the ring for their introductions. The challenger had tears in her eyes, and seeing her that way had Banks tearing up too. The pair then refocused and got their historic match underway.
The bout did not disappoint either, and Vince McMahon will be happy he eventually landed on the women's title match closing the show. Neither Superstar held back, laying their shots in for what was the biggest match of their respective careers. After a number of very near falls, Belair eventually hit the KOD on The Boss and covered her for the three count.
The moment was so huge and emotional that even Michael Cole couldn't comprehend what he had just seen. For some reason, the announcer thought Banks had kicked out and the match would continue. Corey Graves, and Belair's music echoing out around Raymond James Stadium, quickly corrected him. Belair was handed the title and she celebrated as the first night of WrestleMania went off the air.
The match, the emotion, the reactions, and the ending all serve as proof that it was 100% the right decision for this match to go on last on Saturday night. It wouldn't have worked nearly as well as the opener, and the WWE Title match wouldn't have hit nearly as hard as the main event. It may seem like a quick ascent for Belair to some, but it is a deserved one, and this is just the beginning for the EST of WWE.