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.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I've been traveling all week, so this post will be a little later, but I think you'll all forgive me. Family first and whatnot. Let's get to it, shall we?


Team Raw (Nia Jax, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Mickie James & Tamina Snuka) vs. Team SmackDown (Asuka, Carmella, Naomi, Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose)

Well, WWE did it. They found a way to choose the least exciting choice to replace Charlotte. Nothing against Mandy Rose, I just feel bad that Lana's blue hair is going to waste. Anyways, WWE also managed to squeeze Sasha Banks and Bayley into Raw's team at the last minute, which feels pretty on-brand for their treatment of these two this year.

There was hope, brief yet vibrant, as the match came down to Asuka and Nia Jax, but unfortunately, WWE has given up on giving Asuka the treatment she deserves and had Nia Jax take her down with a little help from her team on the sidelines. They are, it seems, all in on branding Jax as a "facebreaker," which is... well, it's not nothing.

Winner: Team Raw
Rating: 3/5

Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte

Before I get to the spectacular match, let me just air this out so we're all on the same page: I don't like Ronda Rousey. I respect her accomplishments and think she's a great athlete, and I understand why WWE has gotten behind her so strongly. It's good business. However, I find it extremely problematic that since her arrival, the likes of Sasha Banks and Bayley (who were revolutionizing before Rousey even considered coming to WWE full-time) have been pushed aside. There is no story to be found outside of her anymore.

But I guess that when you own the market, beggars can't be choosers.

Anyways, this was a really fun, physical match that accomplished something: reinvigorating Charlotte. I've long preferred Charlotte as a heel; it's what got her so over in the first place and she plays the role very well. She has good chemistry with Rousey, who improves with every match and is definitely benefiting from being in the ring with someone who is as good at storytelling as Charlotte. And the post-match brutalizing after?

Man. If a person could be attracted to a wrestling thing...

Winner: Ronda Rousey via DQ
Rating: 4/5


Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax & Tamina

Nia Jax's momentum is in full-swing. Right after being the sole survivor for Team Raw at Survivor Series, she and Tamina Snuka survived a very even and quick-paced match to take the dub against Raw's most underserved duo: Sasha Banks and Bayley. And man, I get that Jax is in a push, but I will die on this hill: Sasha and Bayley deserve better.

Winners: Nia Jax & Tamina
Rating: 2.5/5

Ronda Rousey vs. Mickie James (Raw Women's Championship match)

I hope no one expected this match to be long. That's all I'll say.

Afterwards, a victorious Ronda Rousey faced off against Nia Jax on the entrance ramp. Jax flourished her fist before leaving.

Winner: Ronda Rousey, because come on.
Rating: 2/5

Ruby Riott vs. Natalya

Natalya came into this one with a grudge, since Riott was responsible for her not being in Survivor Series and vice versa. This match was technical and grounded, but it was enjoyable to watch. However, I never really got into it because the stakes are just... medium. The stakes are medium.

Winner: Natalya
Rating: 2/5



Charlotte vs. Billie Kay & Charlotte vs. Peyton Royce

Charlotte opened the show flaunting her epic beatdown of Ronda Rousey, and Paige came out, saying that since Flair put her hands on FIVE officials, ("They were in my way!") she had no choice but to fine her one grand. Charlotte then said she'd be happy to take Rousey on again, but was then interrupted by the Iconic Duo. Charlotte challenged them to try their hands at her, and they accepted.

Billie Kay went down to the Natural Selection, and Flair called out Peyton Royce. However, before the second match could get into full swing, Billie Kay interfered, and Charlotte got the W via disqualification. However, that wasn't really the best move, as Flair hit them with a double spear and then tossed them over the announce table before posing.

Monster Charlotte is back, y'all. Bless up.

Winner: Charlotte x 2
Rating: 3/5

Asuka & Naomi vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville

Oh hey, it's two women of color who deserve better from WWE!

It looks like WWE is teasing some tension between Deville and Rose. The blind tag at the end of that match that led to Naomi and Asuka picking up the victory seemed more complex than just blind luck for the faces. I'll be sure to keep a close eye on them in the coming weeks.

Winners: Asuka & Naomi
Rating: 2/5



Disco Inferno, Rohit Raju, Katarina, Jake Crist, and Eli Drake vs. Fallah Bahh, KM, Dezmond Xavier, Kikutaro, and Alisha Edwards (Gravy Train Turkey Trot Match)

Loser had to wear a god-awful turkey suit. And I lost because I had to watch Disco Inferno wrestle. Katarina and Alisha Edwards started the match off strong, competing equally and showing off all they could until they were tagged out. As the men wrestled, Scarlett Bordeaux appeared dressed as a SEXY PILGRIM, which is just so wrong in so many different ways, distracting all of the men, because society needed to be moved back roughly a decade.

The women fought one more time, but Fallah Bahh claimed the pinfall victory, and Disco wore the turkey suit, thus being properly shamed by Scarlett.

Winners: Fallah Bahh, KM, Dezmond Xavier, Kikutaro, and Alisha Edwards
Rating: 2/5



Nikki Cross vs. Candice LeRae

The good: Candice is in her happy colors again! The bad: Not much, honestly. The ugly: This match wasn't longer.

Nikki Cross' taunting made this match feel very easy to invest in, and I think that Candice's added edge has really given her matches a new element of unpredictability. Cross' laughter baited Candice to attack, and Cross took advantage, hanging LeRae up on the ropes for her swinging neckbreaker to secure the victory.

Winner: Nikki Cross
Rating: 3/5



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 & Yuki Aino vs. Hikari & Miyu Yamashita
Winner: Maki Ito & Yuki Aino

STARDOM

Match: Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita vs. Jungle Kyona & Natsuko Tora (Goddesses of STARDOM title match)
Winner: Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita

Asistencia Asesoria y Administracion

Match: Keyra vs. Vanilla Vargas
Winner: Keyra

Fierce Females

Match: Jayla Dark vs. Addy Starr (Fierce Females Title match)
Winner: Jayla Dark

Dynamo Pro

Match: Rahne Victoria vs. Savanna Stone (Dynamo Pro Women's Title match)
Winner: Rahne Victoria


This match had the crowd on its feet, and fans talking afterwards. It was, essentially, WWE's dream. Charlotte and Rousey fought their hearts out and were wonderful representatives of their brands. I'm hoping they fight again at the Royal Rumble, because this match was only a hint, I think, of what these two could create together.


I said someone would have to give me a reason not to put Becky in this place again. Charlotte Flair went from lukewarm quasi-face to red-hot heel in the span of five minutes, and she's running with it all the way to the bank.

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!