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.

My goodness, you've guys! What a week! I've been on the road back to Missouri to start my final year of college, and WWE is on the road to SummerSlam. I'm finally back in Columbia to apply for graduation, so there's nothing I'm more ready for than talking this week in women's wrestling. Let's dive in!

TakeOver and SummerSlam will be covered on next week's edition, so keep your eyes peeled for that, and enjoy all of the wonderful wrestling we're being treated to this weekend!



Alexa Bliss vs. Ember Moon

Ronda Rousey cleared house to kick off Raw after Alexa Bliss foolishly believed four grown men would be enough to hold her back. This, of course, followed a promo by Rousey eulogizing Natalya's recently deceased father, Jim Neidhart. It was an altogether uncomfortable speech that I wasn't a fan of because it felt like WWE was appropriating a very real tragedy for a feud that didn't need it.

I'm glad Ember Moon was given an opening match to show off her skills, because I really enjoyed the intensity she brought to this match. Her physicality and flair for dramatics made her feel like a legitimate contender throughout, and it took interference from Alicia Fox following a stellar Eclipse to keep Bliss from being pinned. Moon won by disqualification, and Ronda Rousey destroyed Fox to close the segment.

Winner: Ember Moon
Rating: 3/5

Sasha Banks vs. Ruby Riott

Ruby Riott isn't the centerpiece of the Riott Squad for no reason. This woman is charismatic, intense in the ring, and a phenomenally unique athlete whose presence was missed on Raw's female midcard, if you can call it that. She has great chemistry with Banks and Bayley both, and it helped make a match that still lacked any sort of real stakes fun.

Following interference from the Riott Squad and Bayley both, Ruby Riott was able to capitalize on Banks' split focus and roll her into a schoolboy.

Winner: Ruby Riott
Rating: 2.5/5



Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville

Well, well, well, it appears that the ladies are kicking off both of WWE's flagship shows! The three women in SmackDown's championship match at SummerSlam all met in the ring, where Carmella was proclaimed by Charlotte to be a Diva in the Women's era. Carmella embraced the label, and Paige came out to book the first match of the night.

Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose are fulfilling the same roles they had on Raw: amplify talent, and work hard doing it. Against Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch, however, amplification was about all they accomplished. Becky Lynch locked in the Dis-Arm Her for the submission victory.

Winners: Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch
Rating: 2.5/5



Allie vs. Su Yung

Before the match, Scarlett Bordeaux cast some sort of spell over KM and Fallah Bahh, but it remains to be confirmed whether it's just her innate charm or actual witchcraft. And on Impact, you truly never know.

Allie never really got the chance to catch her stride in her faceoff against familiar nemesis Su Yung despite some backup from Kiera Hogan, because Tessa Blanchard stormed in and attacked, resulting in a DQ finish. However, she rose and managed to hit Blachard with a Superkick and then Yung with a Codebreaker, and be the last woman standing at the segment's conclusion.

Winner: Allie
Rating: 1.5/5



Kobra Moon, Daga, & Jeremiah Snake vs. Mack, Killshot, & Son of Havoc (Trios Championship match)

Moon demanded, and Moon received. I, for one, would never want to be the one forced to deny her something. Would you?

Kobra Moon has well and truly morphed Jeremiah Cran-Snake...whatever, into a well-oiled tag team machine. Their teamwork stood out in a fast-paced and highly physical bout that resulted in a victory for Kobra Moon's merry band of...reptiles?

Wrestling, man.

Winners: Kobra Moon, Daga, & Jeremiah Snake
Rating: 3.5/5



Kairi Sane vs. Aliyah

Big Match John? Move aside, because Kairi Sane looks poised to steal your thunder as she steamrolls her way to her title match against Shayna Baszler at NXT TakeOver.

Aliyah, bolstered with some advice and lessons from Baszler backstage, started off strong, but Kairi came roaring back with a wicked spear followed by, I kid you not, three of her signature Insane Elbows, and THEN a submission while simultaneously staring down Shayna Baszler.

Good lord.

What an absolute beast.

Winner: Kairi Sane
Rating: 3/5



I'd like to start this off by sharing how amused I was reading Callum's first foray into Miz and Mrs, and his reactions to reality television in general. I can relate, as anyone who follows this column regularly knows.

Well, joke's on you Callum, because OH MY GOODNESS IT'S THE BABY EPISODE!

I wondered earlier if it was just me, but after scoping other reviews of this show I'm gratified to hear that many other writers agree with my take that this is WWE's best reality show, and it isn't even close. There's a certain kind of sincerity present in the comical interactions between Maryse and Miz that makes their family "drama" fun to watch instead of a chore.

There is, of course, genuine family drama to be found between the Miz and his dad George (You'd rather have a girl? Jeez, you're not supposed to say it out loud!) and lesser drama between Maryse and her mother, but really, nothing compares to the looks of joy and adoration on the faces of Miz and Maryse as they meet their beautiful daughter Monroe for the first time.

Looks like we'll be getting 14 more episodes, so stay tuned as I continue to indulge in my least favorite type of television! Lucky for all of us, Miz and Maryse are so fun that it's easy to forget I'm supposed to be bored.



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

Tokyo Joshi Pro

Match: Maki Ito, Miu & Reika Saiki vs. Mizuki, Yuka Sakazaki & Yuki Aino
Winners: Maki Ito, Miu & Reika Saiki

Ring of Honor

Match: Viper vs. Kay Lee Ray
Winner: Viper

STARDOM

Match: Kagetsu vs. Mayu Iwatani (World of STARDOM Title match)
Winner: Kagetsu

PROGRESS

Match: Jinny vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Natalia Markova vs. Toni Storm (PROGRESS Women's Championship match)
Winner: Jinny


Master manipulator Kobra Moon can do no wrong in and out of the ring. This trios match was wild and crazy in all of the ways one can expect from a match in the Temple.


I want her calling Raw forever and always.

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!