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.



Covering Evolution here feels rather redundant, so I'll direct you to the review I did with the ever-awesome Jordan Chaffiotte, and Smark Out Moment's live coverage of the event. Enjoy!



Alicia Fox, Mickie James & The Riott Squad vs. Sasha Banks, Bayley, Natalya, Trish Stratus & Lita

To celebrate progress in women's wrestling Raw threw literally everyone (okay not EVERYONE, but you catch my drift) into a massive clusterf*#$ of a tag match. Snark aside, it was a lot of fun. Everyone got their shots in, and Lita and Trish haven't lost a step int he slightest. Seriously, it's a bit unfair. That being said, as is the norm with 10-person tags, I had trouble following along with everything that happened. However, I give Raw a pass because, well... Trish and Lita.

Following some Twist of Fate goodness from Lita, Natalya locked in the Sharpshooter on Fox for the win.

Winners: The faces, I'm too lazy to list all of those names again
Rating: 3/5

Ember Moon vs. Nia Jax

How nice. After a phenomenal battle royal showing at Evolution where it was clear that Moon was a crowd favorite, Moon is used as a prop for Jax in the build to her feud with Tamina Snuka.

Whatever. Jax won with a leg drop.

Winner: Nia Jax
Rating: 1.5/5



Becky Lynch is the man. That's all I gotta say. Elsewhere on the show, Paige really wants Charlotte to captain SmackDown's Survivor Series team.



Tessa Blanchard vs. Taya Valkyrie (Knockouts Championship match)

Impact really is going all in on this feud, and I ain't even mad. Tessa Blanchard and Taya Valkyrie can both go, and their chemistry is electrifying. These heelish badasses are intensely physical every time they meet, and this match was no exception. This week, Taya took Tessa to the limit, so much so that the third-generation wrestler had to punch a ref and disqualify herself to retain her title.

I love this for many reasons. First, it's just kinda hilarious. Second, it's great to see that this feud will live a little longer at the very least. I'm here for this, and I'm excited as hell.

Winner: Taya Valkyrie (via DQ, so Tessa keeps her title)
Rating: 3.5/5



Kobra Moon, Daga & Jeremiah Snake vs. Ivelisse, XO Lishus & Sammy Guevara vs. The Rabbit Tribe (Trios Championship match)

I don't know much about Captain Vasquez, other than her name being close to mine, but it appears she holds the secret to...immortality? What?

Anyways, the matches! What a fun night for Lucha Underground. As the season reaches its climax, the matches keep on delivering. This match was exactly what you'd expect a banger trios match to be. The Rabbit Tribe went first, and Ivelisse and Kobra Moon both shined. Despite a valiant effort by Ivelisse and the gang, however, they couldn't overcome the Reptile Tribe, who retained their title.

Winners: The Reptile Tribe
Rating: 3.5/5

Taya Mundo vs. Ricky Mundo

Taya...Mundo, yes, that's who she is in THIS show, took on the man who, and I quote, "ruined her f*cking wedding," and it was as fun as you'd expect. She won, of course, enacting her revenge with a brutal curb stomp into a crossface for the victory by submission.

Winner: Taya Mundo
Rating: 3/5



Nikki Cross vs. Mercedes Martinez

Um, okay??? I never knew I needed this matchup on NXT until I saw it??? The crowd seemed about as excited to see this matchup as I was. Cross won with the Purge, and she and Martinez had a fun little showing of odd respect before Candace LeRae came out, looking very, um, goth. She mouthed at Cross as the crazy one retreated. Aleister Black emerged and demanded to know Johnny's whereabouts before telling LeRae her husband was gone.

Ouch.

Well, to put it simply, I love this. LeRae and Cross together always has me hyped, and I can't help but enjoy this accidental alliance between Black and Cross. I'm excited to see where this goes!

Winner: Nikki Cross
Rating: 3/5



Have you ever watched an episode of this show and just thought, "I mean yeah, this is a total setup and nothing about this feels real?" If your answer is no, you're a liar and I'm calling you out right now.

Paige and Nia Jax went out to try "real life" jobs since Paige can no longer wrestle (disregarding her gig as a GM, but whatever). Paige was bad at these jobs, which was amusing. Nia, having worked in the real world before, was like her lighthouse as they competed in minimum wage jobs that some people can't walk away from.

Meanwhile, Rusev and Lana had a little heart to heart about Rusev's impatience for he and Lana to have children, since taking time off to have kids could jeopardize Lana's career. In the end, after throwing Birdie (I know, it's confusing) a Bulgarian birthday party, they get on the same page.



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

SHINE

Match: Candy Cartwright vs. Aja Perera (SHINE Nova title match)
Winner: Aja Perera

PROGRESS

Match: Isla Dawn vs. Millie McKenzie
Winner: Isla Dawn

STARDOM

Match: Mayu Iwatani & Saki Kashima vs. Shiki Shibusawa & Tam Nakano
Winner: Mayu Iwatani & Saki Kashima


I'll re-state what I wrote in my review of Evolution: "It was brutal, physical and emotional. Charlotte was like the Terminator rising from the ashes and reminding everyone why she’s a mainstay at the top of SmackDown. Becky Lynch was a bonafide star. The crowd was absolutely behind her, and she played into it with the type of egotistical pride that has made her “heel” turn so incredible. I’ve re-watched this match several times, and I will probably watch it again before the end of the year. This is everything women’s wrestling in WWE can and should be. Becky and Charlotte should be proud."



Look at her Twitter. Watch her with a microphone in her hand. She is, far and away, the hottest thing on SmackDown, and it isn't even close.

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!