Smark Out Moment

Welcome to another edition of DIVAS DEBRIEF—a rundown of the events that have transpired in the world of women's professional wrestling over the past several days. Whether it's the women on WWE programming or elsewhere with the TNA Knockouts and other smaller, independent companies, Smark Out Moment attempts to keep you up to date on all things going on with the ladies of the ring.



Team RAW (Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Nia Jax & Alicia Fox) vs. Team SmackDown Live (Natalya, Becky Lynch, Alexa Bliss, Naomi & Carmella)

Following somewhat unbalanced buildup to their match, the women of WWE showcased why their division is better than Creative's booking often allows them to be. Nikki Bella was replaced by Natalya before the match's start after being ambushed backstage. Alicia Fox and Carmella kicked off the action in the ring. Fox displayed some fast-paced offense before Carmella fought back with a Bronco Buster. Bayley and Becky Lynch entered the fray, eager to compete with each other, But Charlotte tagged Bayley out before the two could even lock up. Sasha Banks then did the same, and the two rivals began to fight, with the match soon dissolving into an all-out brawl, only broken up by the ever-monstrous Nia Jax.

Banks and Lynch finally faced off, but Charlotte soon tagged in again, only to be caught in a series of deep arm drags from Lynch. The SmackDown champ looked to lock in the Dis-Arm Her, but Charlotte escaped to her corner, tagging in Nia Jax. Jax tossed Lynch into the ropes, and Carmella tagged in, only to tag in a fresh Alexa Bliss soon after. Bliss sent Naomi into action, but Jax caught her splash from the ropes, and Natalya tagged in. Carmella snuck a tag in, but Jax clotheslined them both.

Fox tagged in, eliminating Carmella in due time before being eliminated by Alexa Bliss. Naomi entered the fray, wiping out Nia Jax at ringside from the top rope. Jax responded by slamming her into the ring post and then tossing her off the apron, where she was counted out of the match. Soon after, Natalya shockingly rolled up Sasha Banks to eliminate her. Charlotte and Natalya reunited in the ring, exchanging vicious chops. Charlotte ascended the ropes for a moonsault, but Natalya picked her up to hit a sit-down powerbomb. Nia Jax broke the attempted pin. Natalya then locked in the Sharpshooter, but fell to a running boot from Charlotte. Becky Lynch entered, fired up, but Alexa Bliss tagged in and the two got in a shoving match. Nia Jax went for the kill, but Bliss and Lynch teamed together to go for a suplex. However, Jax reversed it, suplexing them instead.

Lynch managed to lock in the Dis-Arm Her, forcing Jax to tap, but Jax attacked Lynch after her elimination as Charlotte eliminated Bliss. Lynch was left alone with Charlotte and Bayley, and finally fell to Bayley to give RAW the victory. Following the match, Charlotte ambushed Bayley, leaving her sprawled in the ring to end the segment.

The match was a wonderful showcase of thetruly underutilized depth of both divisions. Natalya, Alexa Bliss, Alicia Fox, Carmella and Nia Jax all looked fantastic in the ring. Naomi showed incredible guts. Becky Lynch and Charlotte both looked dominant. Bayley and Sasha Banks both had the crowd firmly behind them. Now, WWE just needs to capitalize on its deep well of talent.

Winners: Team RAW
Rating: 4/5



Sasha Banks & Bayley vs. Charlotte & Nia Jax

In a brief match, a lot got done. Sasha Banks and Charlotte set up a rematch for the RAW Women's Championship. Nia Jax called Banks overrated. Bayley came to her former foe's aid. And as it turns out, she paid for it.

Bayley took a beating from Charlotte and Jax both after some fun teamwork with Banks, but once she tagged Banks in hot, the rest was history. Sasha hit Charlotte with a series of splashes and knees, never letting up until she locked in the Banks Statement on her nemesis, forcing her to tap.

A rivalry between Nia Jax and Sasha Banks holds a lot of intrigue. The two just barely missed each other down in NXT, and both women employ very different styles. The storytelling is simple, and a good way to keep Banks and Jax on television and in the spotlight they deserve while Bayley gets her shot at the gold.

Winners: Sasha Banks & Bayley
Rating: 2.5/5



Becky Lynch vs. Natalya

With Alexa Bliss on commentary, Lynch faced Natalya, who blamed SmackDown's Survivor Series loss on her. The two exchanged momentum throughout in a highly physical match that more closely resembled a brawl than wrestling.

Natalya hit Lynch with her signature sit-up powerbomb, but Lynch powered out, eventually fighting back with a series of running forearms. Natalya managed to evade an armbar and attempted multiple roll-ups, but Lynch was relentless, hitting the Bex-plex before finally getting Natalya in the Dis-Arm Her for the victory. After the match, Alexa Bliss attacked Lynch and stood tall.

Becky Lynch continues to captivate as champion, her hard-hitting style making her more than easy to root for. She and Bliss have created one of the most entertaining and compelling storylines on the blue brand.

Winner: Becky Lynch
Rating: 3/5


Alexa Bliss vs. Naomi

Bliss talked trash early on, only for Naomi to shove her to the ground, rattling her. Naomi took her down to the mat, and the two chain wrestled briefly. Naomi trapped Bliss in a headlock, but Bliss fought out of it.  Naomi then threw Bliss face-first into the turnbuckle, making Bliss retreat. Naomi went for a move on the apron, but Bliss reversed it with a dodge, taking the momentum until she hit Twisted Bliss for the pinfall.

Winner: Alexa Bliss
Rating: 2/5


Thanksgiving Feast

Maria forced Allie to throw together a double date Thanksgiving feast for her and Laurel Van Ness, adding further fuel to the fire by making Allie dress as a pilgrim and serve them. Laurel then smugly brought out her date: Braxton Sutter. Maria sat everyone down, and everyone at the table said what they are thankful for.

The crowd booed mercilessly until Allie grabbed a mic, saying she was thankful for the fans at TNA. Maria belittled her, telling her to serve them, and Allie finally snapped, hitting Maria with a pie to the face to an uproar from the delighted Impact Zone.

Allie often toes the line between being annoying and completely lovable. Her performance was completely lovable this week. The crowd gave her wings, in a way, and it was a blast to see.



Sexy Star vs. Johnny Mundo (Lucha Underground Championship match)

Johnny Mundo cashed in (sorry) his Gift of the Gods to give him his title shot against Star, who fought without the Mack at her side to prove her victory was no fluke. Mundo kept control of the match early on, taking control with chain wrestling, but could not keep Star down. Star looked to stage a comeback, but Mundo stopped her in her tracks until she hits him with a strong suplex for a two-count. Mundo jabs her eye to turn the tides once more.

Mundo and Star fight evenly until Star takes control with a wicked hurricarana combination for another near-fall. Star dares Mundo to stand and fight, and he does. The two brawl, with Mundo hitting Star with stomps and aerial moves. Their fight spills to ringside, and Mundo takes a fan's crutch, trying to strike Star with it. Star dodges and gives the crutch back to the fan, who thanks her with a fistful of brass knuckles.

Mundo drags Star back into the ring and hits the End of the World for the victory, becoming the new Lucha Underground Champion. The fan is revealed to be Taya, who joins the Worldwide Underground in the ring to celebrate with Mundo.

It's disappointing to see Star's reign cut so short. It makes her victory seem more like a cheap publicity stunt than significant progress, no matter how beloved Star remains. Here's hoping she is given a proper title reign, because she is the purest babyface in Lucha Underground and should be treated accordingly. Even in defeat, she looked spectacular, and her victory will remain special no matter how short her reign was.

Winner: Johnny Mundo
Rating: 4/5


Liv Morgan, Aliyah & Ember Moon vs. Billie Kay, Peyton Royce & Daria Berenato

Liv Morgan started the match fired up, working quickly and crisply against Billie Kay. it was her partner and friend, Toronto native Aliyah, who struggled mightily at the hands of Kay and Royce. The heels keps her from tagging out, wearing her down relentlessly. Finally, Aliyah hit a desperate insigury on Berenato, who tagged in Peyton Royce as Ember Moon entered with a fury.

Moon sailed through the competition, quickly hitting the Total Eclipse on Berenato for the pinfall.

Ember Moon is a future champion. Her finisher is outstanding and she is charismatic to boot. All she needs is some time ont he microphone to tell us why we should care about her as a character. Liv Morgan's strikes look better than ever, and Aliyah has star power. But the real surprise of this match was Daria, whose unique look and character are sure to carry her far in a rebuilding division.

Winners: Liv Morgan, Aliyah & Ember Moon
Rating: 2.5/5



Backstage at the RAW after WrestleMania, Nattie gets suspicious at Maryse's presence backstage. Sure enough, Maryse returns to help her husband win the Intercontinental Championship and proclaims she will take over the newly minted Women's Division.

Nikki is frustrated at Brie's continued insistence that they have children, especially when it makes Brie want to push back a date for shooting the cover of Latina Magazine. The New York shoot goes well, but they still have a lot of deadlines and meetings to go for their lingerie line. Brie is frustrated at Nikki's lack of understanding for her desire to be a mother.

Nattie, meanwhile, is feeling the pressure of her title program against Charlotte. To add onto this, Lana has been pestering her about training, and it's getting on her nerves. Lana is wanting to become as good in the ring as Nattie. Mark Carrano tells Nattie that her performance in a title match against Charlotte will determine if her push is going to continue.

Paige watches Nattie's match backstage, along with Seth Green. The crowd starts off flat, but Nattie eventually ropes them into the match.

In the wake of the Orlando Pulse mass shooting, Trinity (Naomi) is effected personally. She used to go to Pulse with her uncle all the time. She returns home to visit the memorial and meets her friend Angelica, who was present at the tragedy, having worked at Pulse for ten years. Angelica's strength inspires her to do something for the community. She goes to speak at a benefit for a non-profit organization, Miracle of Love.


So there you have it, the breakdown for the week in women's wrestling. What were some of your favorite and least favorite moments from these women? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!