5. Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair (WrestleMania 36)
While the matchup boasted undeniable star power between Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair, it suffered greatly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with no crowd in attendance. After winning the 2020 Royal Rumble, Flair made the unconventional choice to challenge for the NXT Women’s Championship, rather than following the historical trend of pursuing a main roster title.
Despite the empty arena, the two delivered a stellar performance for the NXT Women’s Championship, showcasing exceptional technical ability in a hard-hitting, back-and-forth battle. The only disappointing factor was that while it marked Ripley’s debut on the biggest show of the year, it had to take place behind closed doors rather than before thousands of screaming fans.
Ultimately, Flair forced Ripley to submit to the Figure-Eight Leglock, a finish that sparked significant controversy among fans online, as many wanted Ripley to win. Though a tough loss for Rhea, the match effectively planted the seeds for their high-stakes rematch three years later.
