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.



Natalya vs. Alicia Fox

After a truly cringeworthy cat pun from Alicia Faaaaaaaaaaaawks (I miss that, shut up), she faced off against Natalya, who had Ronda Rousey in her corner while Alexa Bliss had Fox's back. Fox started off aggressively, but Natalya began to rally with a well-timed dropkick after Fox began trash talking Rousey. However, Alexa Bliss hit a cheap shot on Natalya, allowing Fox to nail her with a Mafia kick for the pinfall.

Afterwards, chaos ensued, and Bliss and Fox teamed up to briefly overwhelm Rousey before fleeing as Rousey watched with fire in her eyes. She later demanded a chance for retribution without risk of further suspension from Angle, and he granted her a match against Fox next week.

Winner: Alicia Fox
Rating: 2.5/5

Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan

Banks and Bayley finally seemed to be on the same page, utilizing efficient teamwork to take down the Riott Squad with a Bayley-to-Belly from, you guessed it, Bayley to Liv Morgan. The match was well-paced and good for its length, but I can't help but be the slightest bit bitter about how we got to this point.

This tag team, the Boss 'N Hug Connection, should feel exciting and fresh, But because of the on-and-off booking and the still-unfulfilled tease to another face-off between the two familiar foes, this tag team feels like a bit of a letdown. None of Sasha and Bayley's issues were really resolved by the therapy or the forced tag-teaming.

Sure, this could all lead to a match at SummerSlam or Evolution. But at this point, the magic is gone. And it would take a lot of good storytelling to bring it back.

Winners: Bayley & Sasha Banks
Rating: 3/5



Carmella vs. Charlotte Flair

Becky Lynch opened the show with Renee Young, proclaiming that she knew that if she just kept working hard, she would get back to where she belonged, and that she would be honored to enter Evolution as champion. Carmella then came out and waxed poetic about how while Lynch was tearing it up in NXT, she was relegated to managing, and drafted last overall, before crying and offering Lynch a hand and wishes of good luck. Lynch hesitated, but then James Ellsworth's music hit. Carmella blindsided the distracted Lynch, and looked to slam Lynch into a metal chair, but then...

Charlotte returned! The former champ raced to rescue her best friend, and helped her up as Carmella fled. Paige then gave Charlotte a chance to earn herself a spot in the SummerSlam match.

Charlotte came out swinging, but a well-timed moonsault reversal allowed Carmella to bring the action outside of the ring, where she dealt some damage on Charlotte, but failed to get a countout victory. Charlotte hit Carmella with a moonsault from the barricade and returned to the ring, where a Figure Eight secured her a spot at SummerSlam.

Man, poor Becky. Girl just cannot catch a break. I do like that WWE is giving her mic time and making her sympathetic. The dynamic between her and Charlotte going forward should be interesting.

Winner: Charlotte Flair
Rating: 3/5

Zelina Vega vs. Lana

Zelina Vega went into her match against Madame Matchka with much tranquilo. She looked every bit the conniving, clever ringmaster in the ring that she is out of the ring, and used welcome distraction from Almas to pick up a quick pinfall over Lana.

I, for one, would be game for Almas and Vega managing each other on a rotating basis. These two are an absolute delight to watch together, no matter who is wrestling.

Winner: Zelina Vega
Rating: 2.5/5



Su Yung & Zombie Bridesmaid vs. Kiera Hogan & Allie

Sometimes, I look at the things I type and I have to just laugh because...man, talking about a match with an undead bridesmaid is just peak professional wrestling.

Hogan and Allie worked together to eliminate the bridesmaid, leaving Yung isolated for most of the match. Once the bridesmaid returned, she began to get an advantage over Hogan, but Allie tagged in and turned the tides, ultimately pinning Yung with a Codebreaker.

After the match, however, Tessa Blanchard emerged and DDT'd Allie into oblivion, later saying Allie would never get a title shot before she did.

Winners: Kiera Hogan & Allie
Rating: 2.5/5



After assisting a PJ Black in need, Taya and Johnny Mundo ventured into what I believe is some sort of desert, where Taya beheaded some sort of snake creature named Vibrora. Elsewhere, Catrina threatened The Mack, saying death swirled around him and that he should embrace it.

Hm. Grim.


Shayna Baszler vs. Candice LeRae

After a strong start that appeared to give the champ a bloodied nose, Candice LeRae found herself flung mercilessly into the ringside steps. Baszler worked over an agonized LeRae's arm and shoulder, but LeRae refused to quit. LeRae took to the skies, but not even a suicide dive into the barricade could keep Baszler down. In the end, hesitation on the ropes allowed Baszler to ensnare LeRae in her choker, and the gutsy risk-taker fell to the beast.

Baszler continued choking LeRae after the bells rang, and Kairi Sane ran down to make the save, and had to be restrained as Baszler retreated following a cheap shot.

Winner: Shayna Baszler
Rating: 3.5/5



Miz and Mrs

Two observations from this week's episode, which I watched willingly and unironically, which is a huge step forward for me, okay?

One: Avril Lavigne was just...casually at their baby shower? All of the hijinks having to do with it proved to be hilarious. The Miz tried to save money on the very expensive cake they bought for the party, and he wound up nearly ruining the cake.

Two: Maryse's mother, and all of her quips about Miz's "flatt ass," is a welcome surprise. She has an amazing and entertaining personality, and her hilarity comes off as genuine wit, not just stiff posturing for the camera.

Total Bellas

Sometimes, no matter how much we wish for something, it just isn't meant to be. Nikki Bella had to come to that painful conclusion on the season finale of Total Bellas as she and John Cena finally called it quits. Of course, we weren't privy to this moment, but I'm relieved, to be honest. I felt cheated enough by this entire season's worked feeling.

Of course, we now have confirmation that Cena and Bella have called it off for good as of today, so this episode feels even heavier.

As obnoxious as Nikki's relationship drama has been, especially since it has seemed to require a lot of emotional labor from poor Brie, I cannot help but empathize with her. Impossible situations, especially those involving someone you're in love with, are never easy. Walking away, and moving, forward, is hard.

Hopefully, her path forward leads to a happy ending.



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

STARDOM

Match: Kagetsu vs. Starlight Kid
Winner: Kagetsu

World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana

Match: Ayako Sato vs. Keiko Aono
Winner: Ayako Sato

Tokyo Joshi Pro

Match: Mizuki & Yuka Sakazaki vs. Hyper Misao & Shoko Nakajima
Winner: Mizuki & Yuka Sakazaki


This match was athletic, character-driven, and showcased everything that makes me love NXT's women's division. They are booked like the men, and measure up (or even surpass) them every week without fail. Their conflicts are not catty, they feels legitimate, and the added weight of that good writing makes the matches that much more engaging to watch. Well done, ladies!


Yeah, I'm giving this honor to the woman who maybe faked a breakup (temporarily), because I think that anyone who has the strength to walk away from a relationship that, by no one's fault, is not good for them, deserves recognition.

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!