WWE Programming's Best Matches for Week of October 3

Last week, you voted Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt from Raw as the best match of the week, albeit over a seven-day stretch that didn't offer all that much in terms of compelling ring work.

This week was quite different, with NXT TakeOver: Respect proving to be another tremendous event for WWE's developmental system. There were far more than three contenders for the best match of the week this time around, and you're welcome to state your case for a non-NXT match in the comments section below.

Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho from the Madison Square Garden show last Saturday is likely to be a pick for some, as is John Cena vs. Seth Rollins inside the steel cage. However, the latter match certainly wouldn't make my list—it's been a great series, but the pairing needs to be rested for a while.

Contender No. 1: Sasha Banks vs. Bayley at NXT TakeOver: Respect

After a terrific bout at NXT TakeOver Brooklyn, two of the shining stars of NXT met once again in last Wednesday's main event. With a pair of great performers and an intriguing stipulation, the only thing preventing this match from stealing the show was the impossibly high bar the duo had set for itself.

Bayley finally claiming the championship in Brooklyn was such a powerful moment that the rematch was always going to be at a disadvantage. However, this bout did everything possible to deliver a compelling follow-up.

Credit: WWE.com

The ability to tell a story in the ring is one of the biggest reasons that the women of NXT are able to excel in a way that the Divas of the main roster cannot. This rematch was a success because it did more than just retrace the same steps in a different order.

The Iron Man stipulation was used to maximum effect, putting Bayley behind up until the very end despite her status as the reigning champion. Of course, this was supplemented by the expected subplot of both women's familiarity with each other, with a host of impressive counters peppering the contest.

Credit: WWE.com

Banks and Bayley didn't attempt to better their first effort—instead, they presented the next chapter of a feud that's sure to re-emerge once Bayley joins her fellow Horsewomen on the main roster. It might not have had the punch of their Brooklyn bout, but fans will look back on it almost as fondly.

Lengthy post-match celebrations can sometimes fail to ring true, but the pomp and ceremony after this main event was deserved. Few matches in recent memory could match the passion and energy that resonated around the arena before this one began—and that's a special thing indeed.

Contender No. 2: Asuka vs. Dana Brooke at NXT TakeOver: Respect

From Kevin Owens to Apollo Crews, there have been some memorable debuts at NXT TakeOver events. It's perhaps too soon to declare Asuka's first outing as the best, but it's tempting to make that call based on her performance last Wednesday.

Many were disappointed to see how Asuka fared in the setup to this match on NXT television a few weeks back—but having seen the payoff, it was definitely worthwhile. This is the way to debut a wrestler who will be the subject of big plans; anyone who saw the show has to be eager to see more.

"

Why is Asuka/Kana's entrance music so fire?

— Kazeem Famuyide (@RealLifeKaz) October 9, 2015"

Asuka's war crate is one of her greatest selling points, and given the fact that she was hyped up using footage from her work in Japan, that's something that WWE is fully aware of. Despite facing a relatively inexperienced opponent in Dana Brooke, she was definitely able to display her talents.

Her razor-sharp kicks are something new for the division—and that rolling armbar is one of the most exciting moves anyone on the NXT or WWE roster has in their arsenal. However, perhaps even more impressive was the character work Asuka displayed.

From her mockery of Brooke's penchant for posing to a suitably creepy encounter with Emma afterward, Asuka is introducing a character who stands out immediately. Few outside signings have displayed such a speedy grasp of the demands of NXT's presentation.

If the main event of Respect seemed like the definitive end of one era, Asuka's debut earlier in the night was a preview of what's to come. A title opportunity is surely on the horizon, and the resulting match promises to be terrific.

Contender No. 3: Jason Jordan and Chad Gable vs. Rhyno and Baron Corbin at NXT TakeOver: Respect

In a sense, it's a missed opportunity that a dyed-in-the-wool tag team didn't win the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. However, the tournament did produce a match that was nothing less than star-making for one of the duos involved.

Chad Gable and Jason Jordan have been great in their backstage skits and matches on weekly NXT television, but we really started to see what the pair can do in this electric semifinal match. They may not have won, but it seems clear that they are about to gain some serious momentum.

It's great to see two wrestlers with a sense of humour that doesn't seem forced—and even better, they can back that up in the ring. The closing sequence of this bout stood up with the best of the action on an exemplary card.

Gable seems to be the breakout star of the group thanks to his skill on the microphone and techniques such as the flawless Chaos Theory German Suplex he hit in this bout. However, Jordan has everything he needs to reach the highest peaks of wrestling. These two are money.

Their opponents deserve credit too. Rhyno has been fantastic in his NXT run and has earned his spot on the roster 10 times over. Meanwhile, Baron Corbin is flourishing and shows a lot of potential if he can continue to improve at this pace.

Tag team wrestling is alive and well in NXT. While Jordan and Gable might not have come out on top on the night, they're sure to be part of a thriving division in the weeks to come—and perhaps an early favourite should the tournament return next year.

Which bout was your match of the week? Don't forget to make your choice by voting in the poll and then state your argument in the comments section below.