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, ROH's Women of Honor, and even a glimpse at the women on the independent circuit.



Becky Lynch vs Asuka

Asuka had challenged Becky Lynch to one more match for the Raw Women's Championship, which Lynch accepted as she thoroughly enjoys her matches with The Empress of Tomorrow. This match essentially highlighted 2 of the strongest women in WWE, with both wrestlers putting on a wrestling clinic.

Lynch and Asuka both had periods of dominance in the match, with Asuka coming agonisingly close to winning the match with her Asuka Lock, but Lynch was able to escape and hit a Uranage for the pinfall victory.

This was a great match, with the quality on par with their Royal Rumble match. Asuka continues to look strong despite back to back losses to Lynch, whilst Lynch herself goes from strength to strength. This was a great opening match, and perhaps the best match of the night.

Winner: Becky Lynch
Rating: 3.5/5


Rhea Ripley vs Sarah Logan

This was a dominant squash match to showcase how good Rhea Ripley is, whilst showing Charlotte Flair what threat she would pose if she accepted Ripley's challenge for a match at WrestleMania 36.

Unfortunately for Sarah Logan, she was a complete afterthought here, with Ripley staring down Flair whilst she hit her Riptide for the pinfall victory.

In terms of getting Ripley over, this match was a success. However, it was too brief and too one sided to be entertaining.

Winner: Rhea Ripley
Rating: 2/5



Bayley vs Carmella

Bayley had interrupted Carmella's appearance on A Moment of Bliss, which led to their SmackDown Women's Championship match starting immediately. This allowed Carmella to gain the early advantage, with Bayley seemingly rocked by the impromptu match.

Bayley and Carmella both traded powerful moves, but it was Carmella who appeared to have the match won when she was able to lock in the Code of Silence, only for Bayley to roll her up and use the ropes for leverage to steal the pinfall victory.

This was a great match that reinforced just how much Carmella has improved in the ring. Carmella will compete against Naomi next week for another shot at Bayley at Super Showdown, and on this form she poses a genuine threat to both Naomi and Bayley.

Winner: Bayley
Rating: 3/5



Aoife Valkyrie vs Amale

This was Aoife Valkyrie's NXT UK debut, however it didn't feel nearly as important as it should have. This is because she was unable to easily defeat Amale to underline the threat she poses to NXT UK's women's division.

Valkyrie tried to take control of the match multiple times, however Amale was able to fight her off. This lasted until Valkyrie was able to hit a Standing Moonsault for a 2 count, with Amale once again fighting back. Valkyrie managed to get a series of kicks in on Amale before hitting the Split Leg Drop for the pinfall victory.

This was an ok match, but it could have been so much better. If Valkyrie is to be pushed hard in NXT UK, she will need to show her dominance more than she did here.

Winner: Aoife Valkyrie
Rating: 2/5


Candice LeRae vs Dakota Kai

Candice LeRae is one of the more dependable women's wrestlers in NXT, and once again she put on a great showcase. Dakota Kai was determined to head into NXT TakeOver: Portland with enough momentum to allow her to defeat Tegan Nox, and this desire was evident in the way she carried herself during the match.

LeRae worked a lot stiffer in this match than normal, which was a great way of highlighting how much she hated Kai for her betrayal of Nox and Team Ripley at NXT TakeOver: WarGames. This intensity was matched by Kai, which made the match extremely enjoyable. LeRae thought she had the match won with a Gargano Escape, but Kai was able to roll her up for the quick pinfall victory.

This was a great television match, and the post match angle of Nox coming out to beat on Kai was thoroughly entertaining. Kai looked smart, whilst LeRae and Nox were sympathetic faces for trying to overcome Kai and her dastardly tactics.

Winner: Dakota Kai
Rating: 3/5


Santana Garrett vs Bianca Belair

This was essentially a squash match to provide Bianca Belair with some momentum as she heads into her NXT Women's Championship match with Rhea Ripley at NXT TakeOver: Portland.

Belair hit a spear on Santana Garrett, before following this up with a KOD for the swift pinfall victory. This made Belair look dangerous, which is exactly what she needed in order to come across as a genuine threat to Ripley. This match served it's purpose well.

Winner: Bianca Belair
Rating: 2/5



Riho vs Nyla Rose

Riho put her AEW Women's Championship on the line against Nyla Rose, a wrestler who has been carving out a niche for herself as AEW's resident monster wrestler. This put Rose in contention for Riho's title, and it was not an opportunity she was prepared to let go of without a fight.

This match was quite frankly the best AEW women's match so far, with both wrestlers putting in a herculean effort to get fans invested in the outcome. Riho tried valiantly to overcome Rose's power, but Rose proved too much to handle. Despite Riho hitting 3 Double Stomps, she was unable to keep Rose down, who hit a Spear and a Beast Bomb to secure the pinfall and become the new champion.

This was a fantastic match, with Rose finally living up to her potential in AEW. She delivered a scathing post match promo backstage to send a warning to anyone who wants to take the title off her. This was compelling television, with Rose looking like a true star.

Winner: Nyla Rose
Rating: 4/5



Taya Valkyrie vs Jordynne Grace

This match was for the Impact Knockout's Championship, with Taya Valkyrie keen to maintain her vice like grip over the championship. Jordynne Grace has been built up as a viable challenger over the past few weeks, and this match was an opportunity to breathe new life into the admittedly ailing knockout's division.

This match truly felt cathartic, as Valkyrie has been something of a stain within the knockout's division, as her reign has left a lot to be desired. Grace was able to overcome not only Valkyrie, but also John E Bravo, who has been a scourge on the knockout's division himself. Grace hit a Senton onto both Bravo and Valkyrie, which allowed her to secure the pinfall to become the new champion.

This was a strong match which proved there is still life within Impact's knockout's division. Grace is a credible champion who can hopefully breath new life into the division.

Winner: Jordynne Grace
Rating: 3/5



Rhea Ripley vs Bianca Belair

Rhea Ripley entered this match knowing her offer of a match with Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 36 had still not been accepted, which fired her up to prove just how much she deserves that match. Bianca Belair was not prepared to allow Ripley to look through her, aiming to become the NXT Women's Champion in order to take on The Queen herself.

Despite the fact that Ripley and Belair both had periods of control within the match, fans in attendance seemingly struggled to believe that Belair had a realistic chance of winning, which hurt the overall quality of the match. This match was less intense than it perhaps should have been, but Ripley and Belair both put on a good performance. Ripley countered a Sunset Bomb into a Riptide for the pinfall victory.

Flair came out after the match to take out Ripley and announce that she would accept Ripley's challenge, before hitting a devastating Natural Selection. Flair added insult to injury by slamming Belair into the steel steps, which hints at a potential triple threat match.

Winner: Rhea Ripley
Rating: 3.5/5


Dakota Kai vs Tegan Nox

This match was compelling from the moment Dakota Kai took out Tegan Nox as she made her entrance. The hatred was palpable, with both Kai and Nox determined to destroy each other, which seemed like a very real possibility the longer the match went on.

Kai focused on isolating Nox, achieving this through duct taping her to the ring post, only for Nox to escape and turn her attention to Kai's knee. Nox removed Kai's knee brace and attacked it with a chain and a chair, only for Raquel Gonzalez to show up and slam her onto a table. This allowed a shocked Kai to pin Nox to claim the victory.

This was an amazing match that lived up to the hype. Both wrestlers wanted to destroy each other, whilst Nox finally had a breakout performance that connected with fans. The match finish worked as it fits Kai's character, and it will be interesting to see how Gonzalez fits into this storyline.

Winner: Dakota Kai
Rating: 4/5



This was a hellacious match, with violence levels previously unheard of within NXT's women's division. The hate for each other was evident, with Dakota Kai able to steal the victory just when it looked like Tegan Nox had it wrapped up.


Nyla Rose finally won the AEW Women's Championship, and it is an accolade she fully deserves. Her monster character is believable, whilst she shows constant improvement in the ring. There has been a slight negative response online due to the fact Rose is a transgender woman, but that shouldn't even be an issue in today's society. She works hard, and is a fitting AEW Women's Champion. Well done Nyla!

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!