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.
WWE Monday Night Raw
Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler vs Naomi & Lana
I’m glad this match finally happened, if only to end all chances that Lana had of winning Championship gold in WWE. Despite Naomi being a fairly consistent performer, she struggled with timing and communication throughout. This resulted in a poor match, although Shayna Baszler at least looked strong.
Nia Jax hit a Chokeslam to retain the Women’s Tag Team Championship, but it was a fairly insipid end to a mediocre match.
Winner: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler
Rating: 2/5
Impact Wrestling
Tasha Steelz vs Jazz
I did not expect much from this encounter, but I was pleasantly surprised to see both Tasha Steelz and Jazz put on an extremely entertaining contest. This match featured a high level of competition, which is something I have come to expect from the Knockout’s division as of late.
Jazz secured a submission victory with an STF, highlighting how she is still a force to be reckoned with. Overall, this was a great contest to watch.
Winner: Jazz
Rating: 3/5
Susan vs ODB
On the flip side of the positive Knockout’s division, this was the very definition of poor. Nothing really clicked here, as ODB secured the victory.
Winner: ODB
Rating: 1.5/5
AEW Dark
Diamante vs Savannah Thorne
Diamante hit a Code Red to secure the victory, with the match serving as a squash showcase for her talents. Not bad, all things considered.
Winner: Diamante
Rating: 2/5
Abadon vs Katalina Perez
Yet another Abadon squash. I won’t complain though, as Abadon killing her opponents makes for fun viewing.
Winner: Abadon
Rating: 2.5/5
AEW Wednesday Night Dynamite
Britt Baker, Nyla Rose & Maki Itoh vs Hikaru Shida, Ryo Mizunami & Thunder Rosa
Whilst not as good as the women’s matches at Revolution, this was a decent enough offering on Dynamite. Rather than serve to put on a good match, this contest was all about the post match angle. Britt Baker took out Thunder Rosa to set up their Lights Out match next week, and I cannot wait to see the level of violence on offer.
Winner: Hikaru Shida, Ryo Mizunami & Thunder Rosa
Rating: 2.5/5
WWE NXT
Io Shirai vs Toni Storm
Although Io Shirai never looked like losing her title defence against Toni Storm, both women still put on a fantastic match. This was easily Storm’s best match in NXT, however, the drama that should accompany an NXT Women’s Championship match was noticeably lacking.
Shirai won with a Crossface, which was a different finish than I expected. Shirai now moves onto Raquel Gonzalez, a match that promises to be gripping and enthralling.
Winner: Io Shirai
Rating: 4/5
Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez vs Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart
I’m so conflicted with this match, as there is absolutely no justification for taking the newly inaugurated NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship from Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez. If this was the ultimate plan, they should never have been awarded the titles.
The match itself was fun, but the very nature of the title situation clouds any fair review of this match.
Winner: Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart
Rating: 3/5
Xia Li vs Kayden Carter
This was all about Kacy Catanzaro taking out Xia Li. Not bad, but I would have liked to have seen a longer match.
Winner: Xia Li (via DQ)
Rating: 2.5/5
WWE NXT UK
There were no one on one women's matches this week.
WWE Friday Night SmackDown
Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair vs Natalya & Tamina
Let me be frank here. WWE has absolutely NO idea how to book Sasha Banks vs Bianca Belair, which was even more evident as they lost to Tamina and Natalya. Reginald may have caused the loss, but I cannot explain how disappointing the entire situation is.
Winner: Natalya & Tamina
Rating: 1.5/5
Impact Wrestling: Sacrifice 2021
Fire 'N' Flava vs Jordynne Grace & Jazz
These four women are currently putting in some of the most consistent performances in the Knockout’s division, therefore it was great to see this trend continue here. The action was fast paced and off the hook, with Fire ‘N’ Flava successfully defending their titles when Kiera Hogan hit a Fisherman’s Neckbreaker for the pinfall victory. Overall, this was a very successful match.
Winner: Fire 'N' Flava
Rating: 3.5/5
Deonna Purrazzo vs ODB
There was no drama here, as ODB never once looked like winning. As much as I like Deonna Purrazzo, she is struggling to make chicken salad out of chicken shit. She locked in a Double Arm Fujiwara Armbar for the submission victory, but this contest did not make either woman look good.
Winner: Deonna Purrazzo
Rating: 2/5
MATCH OF THE WEEK:
Io Shirai vs Toni Storm
Quite simply the best Toni Storm match in NXT so far.
WOMAN OF THE WEEK:
Io Shirai
Io Shirai once again showed how she is the best performer in NXT, perhaps even WWE.
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE WEEK:
Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez drop the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship
Why take the titles off them at all? Why? This didn't make sense, but at least there is a chance that Raquel Gonzalez can take the NXT Women's Championship from Io Shirai.
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!
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