How the WWE Four Horsewomen changed women’s wrestling

Clash of the Horsewomen

Since arriving on the scene in NXT the Four Horsewomen of Bayley, Banks, Flair and Lynch carved out a path that revolutionized sports entertainment and especially changed the game for women in pro wrestling.

Their matches proved to be the catalyst in a time that desperately needed change. The old ways of having women wrestle in mud, or their underwear, or in matches that lasted less than 30 seconds long were dead and buried because the women coming up on the NXT roster put their foot down. They delivered match upon match that left fans reeling from the amount of athleticism displayed and they chanted “this is wrestling” demanding to see more. The Four Horsewomen were center stage for all of it.

So when it came time for another shift, this time on the main roster, the powers that be looked around and wondered who could carry them over into another new phase. A phase that saw new opportunities arising on FOX Sports, new competition building in AEW and an audience ready to spit venom when they were displeased with the product. The answer once again came in the form of the Four Horsewomen.

"“They’re really not competitive towards one another in real life. They’re all about supporting one another. Sure, they challenge each other to be the best and exceed their own goals, but they’re there for one another.” — Stephanie McMahon, GQ.COM"

Becky Lynch, once the dark horse of the group, had already catapulted herself to the top of the industry, gaining more mainstream attention than any other female Superstar prior. Charlotte Flair was not only honoring her father’s legacy but carving out one of her own with near impeccable matches. Bayley and Banks lost their footing for a while but when Banks took a self-imposed hiatus it offered two things that would get them back on top.

Number one, Banks’ absence allowed Bayley to rediscover herself as a singles competitor who had the talent to carry a title on her own and be a leader of the women’s division. Banks would rediscover herself as well during her time away from the ring. It allowed her to return refreshed and bring new energy into the Raw Women’s title picture.

The Boss sought out The Man immediately and the two of them would bring the fight at Clash of Champions. In the meantime, Bayley would finally embrace her aggressive side by standing with her BFF Banks even as the self-proclaimed “blueprint” went after fan-favorite Lynch. To even out the sides Lynch would tag up with her former rival Flair for an epic match on Raw‘s return to Madison Square Garden. The Four Horsewomen in the ring at the same time battling each other hadn’t happened since NXT: Unstoppable and they hadn’t missed a beat. Flair would take the win over Bayley leading into their own match at Clash of Champions.

Together they traveled the roads, created magic in NXT that revolutionized the sport, drifted apart, and came back together again to deliver a shot of adrenaline to the women’s division that has fans still riding the high from their matches at Clash of the Champions. The Four Horsewomen of Lynch, Flair, Banks and Bayely are the very best at what they do and they continue to prove it each and every time they hit the ring.