Smark Out Moment

Welcome to another edition of WOMEN'S WRESTLING WEEKLY—a rundown of the events which have transpired in the world of women's professional wrestling over the past several days not just with the Superstars on WWE programming, but with Impact Wrestling's Knockouts, Lucha Underground's luchadoras, and even a glimpse at the women on the independent circuit.



Carmella vs. Asuka (James Ellsworth in a Shark Cage match for the SmackDown Women's Championship)

Soon into the match, Ellsworth was dropping a chain into the ring and causing all sorts of mayhem. He managed to escape the cage at one point, earning him several kicks from an amused Asuka as he dangled in the air like a buffoon. However, because Asuka was so distracted by beating him up during her own title match, Carmella got the drop on her for a quick pinfall.

You know, I'm all for gimmick matches that are fun, or that make sense, but this match was neither. This entire feud, in fact, has only served to make Asuka, the Empress of freakin' tomorrow, look like a complete and utter fool. And to me? That is unforgivable.

Winner: Carmella
Rating: 1.5/5

Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax (Raw Women’s Championship Extreme Rules Match)

Well, at least the ladies used their weapons in this one. Following a lot of weapon work and interference from both Mickie James and Natalya, Ronda Rousey, seated in the front row, grew sick of Bliss and James' antics against Jax, who was putting up one hell of a fight, and jumped the barricade from her front row seat. It took a kendo stick attack from James to keep her at bay. Finally, Bliss hit Jax with a DDT on a steel chair for the pinfall victory.

The women in this pay-per-view were woefully mis-served. Their matches were short, the endings were convoluted and the writing was lazy. I try to keep an open and optimistic mindset, but at this point, I truly don't think WWE has any idea how to tell a compelling story with and about women.

Winner: Alexa Bliss
Rating: 2/5



Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Alicia Fox & Dana Brooke

Kurt Angle really can't stand the fact that Sasha and Bayley just don't want to be friends, can he? After being forced to team up following weeks of forced counseling, Bayley and Sasha fought valiantly to a no-contest brawl.

After, Sasha confessed her love to Bayley backstage, saying that Bayley couldn't see how much Sasha cared. Which would be all fine and dandy if Sasha hadn't verbally abused Bayley for months on NXT and, just a few months ago, pushed her off a pod during Elimination Chamber.

Rumor has it that this is all leading to a marquee match at SummerSlam. But if WWE isn't careful, people will be so confused with and bored of this feud that it just won't be everything it could.

Winner: I don't know, guys
Rating: 2/5

Suspended Ronda Rousey!

Alexa Bliss came to the ring to sing her praises, once more calling Jax a bully, but that didn't last too long. She began to trash Rousey too, but the lady herself came charging to the ring, where she laid out Mickie James, who was only saved from further harm by Alexa Bliss.

Angle set up a match between Bliss and Rousey at SummerSlam following Constable Baron Corbin antics, but threatened to take it away if Rousey broke the terms of her suspension any more.

Ember Moon vs. Sarah Logan

The streak of the phenomenal Ember Moon in meaningless Raw matches continues! With Liv Morgan at ringside, Sarah Logan got some early strikes in, but nothing that was severe enough to have Ember down for the count, not even a cheap shot from Morgan. However, Logan kept putting up a fight, until finally, Morgan's interference paid off, and Logan won with a lateral press.

Winner: Sarah Logan
Rating: 2/5



Becky Lynch vs. Mandy Rose

Mandy Rose started off the match strong, but Becky Lynch went into this match with a purpose and she executed it. After weathering the storm for the first half of the match, Lynch rolled Rose up for a near-fall before slamming her to the mat with a suplex and finally submitting her with the Dis-Arm Her.

After the match, Becky took to the mic and called out Carmella, warning the champ that straight fire would be coming for her. Paige later announced the two will face off next week.

Winner: Becky Lynch
Rating: 2.5/5



Allie & Kiera Hogan vs. Tessa Blanchard & Shotzi Blackheart

Early in the episode, Madison Rayne woke up in a funeral home, where she was told her time had come by first a man in Su Yung face paint, then a little girl. Finally, Su told her that her time has come. Fun, really wholesome stuff from Su Yung, per usual!

As for the match, Allie and Kiera Hogan took on Tessa Blanchard and Shotzi Blackheart in a match that was essentially Blanchard bailing on Blackheart and Allie immediately pinning her with a Codebreaker.

Winner: Allie & Kiera Hogan
Rating: 1.5/5



No official women's matches this week, but that doesn't mean the badass ladies of Lucha Underground had nothing to do! Taya and Kobra Moon brawled it out while Johnny Mundo fought an algae lizard man. Ivelisse had her medallion put onto the Gift of the Gods Championship belt, which she will fight for next week!

To put it simple, Lucha Underground remains as enthralling, chaotic and fun as ever.



Lacey Evans vs. Dakota Kai

You didn't think Lacey Evans would retreat into the night after losing her feud with Kairi Sane, did you?

After some vicious mockery from Lacey Evans, an angered Dakota Kai went on the attack. Her emotions, however, allowed Evans to take advantage and inflict a world of hurt on Kai for what felt like an eternity. However, she missed a big moonsault, allowing Kai to attempt a comeback. That, however, proved all for naught, as Evans was able to hit the Women's Right for a hard-fought victory.

Winner: Lacey Evans
Rating: 3/5

Kairi Sane vs. Nikki Cross vs. Candice LeRae

If anything, this match (and episode of NXT as a whole) served to show just how brilliant NXT's women's division truly is. With Shayna Baszler at ringside, Kairi Sane won the chance to challenge for her title in Brooklyn after a chaotic, action-packed match that made LeRae, Sane and Cross all look like the stars they are.

This week's episode served as a mini payoff for a lot of the character work WWE has been putting into the women of NXT. Lacey Evans and Dakota Kai weren't in this match, but theirs had enough character work behind it that it still felt important. And after weeks of buildup, it was thrilling to finally see Sane, LeRae and Cross duke it out for a title opportunity.

Winner: Kairi Sane
Rating: 3.5/5



Happy Bachelorette party night, Total Bellas fans! Let's see how miserable I can get in the span of one hour!

It starts out all sparkly and fun, as the girls go out for a night on the town (in Paris, no less) and indulge in some delightful girl talk. And I'm actually digging it, aside from the wild envy for the rich and beautiful that always crops up when I watch reality television.

But then the Cena talk started, and I felt the urge to call all of my friends and apologize for every time I even remotely sounded like her talking about her "complicated" feelings for John.

The bachelorette "fun" continues next week. We're on this journey together, my friends.



This section includes recaps of matches from around the world in various lesser-known independent promotions throughout the week.

AAW Pro

Match: Su Yung vs. Kimber Lee (AAW Pro Women's Championship match
Winner: Kimber Lee

PROGRESS

Match: Millie McKenzie vs. Chakara
Winner: Millie McKenzie

STARDOM

Match: Hazuki vs. Momo Watanabe (Wonder of STARDOM title match)
Winner: Momo Watanabe


Hands-down, this match was the most fun I've had watching this week. It made every participant look phenomenal, and it's only leading to more amazing wrestling. As I said earlier, the writing leading up to it was simple and concise, and that made this match feel like a well-made part of an ongoing story; one that I cannot get enough of.


NXT is living proof of how easy it is to have a compelling women's division with the hoard of female talent in WWE's arsenal. This week was the perfect example of it, and each woman delivered.

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!