Last week, for the first time ever, female WWE superstars competed in a match in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The match between Sasha Banks and WWE Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss required the women to alter their ring attire and featured a certain degree of uncertainty as to how the crowd would receive them. The moment not only had a profound impact on the fans in attendance, who chanted “this is hope” as the women wrestled, but it also left its mark on the competitors themselves.

Yahoo Sports spoke with Banks about the occasion, the chances of another history-making moment next month, and the possibility of Ronda Rousey stepping into the squared circle.

Yahoo Sports: How did the match come about? When did the significance and importance of the moment hit you?

Sasha Banks: It was a week or two before going to Abu Dhabi that we found out we were going to be able to wrestle there. I knew I was going to be on the India tour and WWE Head of Talent Relations Mark Carrano told us there’s a potential chance we were going to get to wrestle in Abu Dhabi, but they weren’t sure what the procedures were or if we were going to get cleared to wrestle, so just in case, we needed to get full body suits made.

I asked my husband “can you make me look the best you can in two weeks?” I didn’t really understand what the full importance was because I wasn’t even sure if we were going to wrestle or not. Then, Carrano told us we were going to do it but we were keeping it hush-hush. We only did a little bit of social media saying we were going to have the championship match, but we avoided saying it was the first ever women’s match over there because we didn’t know how they were going to perceive us over there.

Before we went to the ring, I had such goosebumps and I started crying. It felt like I was about to have a [NXT] TakeOver match because legit every time I did a TakeOver, I would get so much nerves the morning of and get this weird feeling of anxiety because I wanted to do the best I could and I knew the importance of it. I always want people to remember my performance and I knew going into this we were going to be making history and a difference in Abu Dhabi for women and sports. Like I said, I didn’t know how fans were going to perceive us because they don’t really get to see us on television over there because they aren’t allowed to show women [not covered up]. It was crazy.

What was the reaction from the WWE locker room and roster? Was there a congratulatory moment, did everyone recognize what had happened?

They more laughed at our bodysuits before we went out. They said we looked like Power Rangers. They told me I looked like [WWE Superstar] Goldust or Purpledust so they asked me to do some of his stuff in the match and I did.

Right before I went out, Triple H showed up and that was so special to see him come. He gave us big hugs and told us how important that was and how we’re making a difference in the world, not just wrestling, for women. I started crying before. When I came back I started crying again. I was crying so much that Sheamus and Cesaro, who were in the main event, stopped me and asked if I was OK. I’m such a crybaby and emotional about things like that. Right before I went out, I peeked through the curtain and I didn’t see women, but once I walked down that stage I saw a bunch of little girls and I just started breaking down because it was incredible.

You’re a four-time WWE Women’s Champion. You’re one of the faces of the company and have competed on huge stages. Where does the Abu Dhabi match rank on Sasha Banks’ list of accomplishments?

It’s up there. I don’t want to rank it, but it’s up there. For me, No. 1 is my NXT match with Bayley at TakeOver and this is totally tied with my first ever “WrestleMania” match and everything tied to it. Knowing the importance of this match and that it can change a nation, it can help little girls be inspired to know they can have a dream and accomplish anything, it’s up there. It’s something I’m going to remember the rest of my life. The feeling I had before I went out there is the reason I love wrestling show much. It is making a difference. It is spreading love around the world. It is inspiring people across the country. Hopefully we inspired and made a difference.

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