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
Alexa Bliss vs Nikki A.S.H. vs Asuka vs Naomi
Honestly, this was a pointless match as more attention was given to the antics outside of the ring. As seems to be the case of late, Alexa Bliss brings with her such irritating character development that I am taken out of the match. Yes, Nikki A.S.H. won, but I genuinely didn't feel like I was given a reason to care.
Winner: Nikki A.S.H.
Rating: 2/5
Rhea Ripley vs Natalya
Squash City! But entertaining nonetheless. I wasn't, however, enamoured with Charlotte Flair standing tall before Money in the Bank.
Winner: Rhea Ripley
Rating: 2.5/5
AEW Dark: Elevation
Thunder Rosa vs Dreamgirl Ellie
Squash City!
Winner: Thunder Rosa
Rating: 2.5/5
Riho vs Amber Nova
Squash City!
Winner: Riho
Rating: 2/5
Kilynn King vs Yuka Sakazaki
Squash City!
Winner: Yuka Sakazaki
Rating: 2.5/5
Leyla Hirsch vs Kelsey Heather
Squash City!
Winner: Leyla Hirsch
Rating: 2/5
Tay Conti vs Labrava
Squash City!
Winner: Tay Conti
Rating: 2.5/5
Red Velvet vs Leila Grey
Squash City!
Winner: Red Velvet
Rating: 2/5
Julia Hart vs Hikaru Shida
Squash City!
Winner: Hikaru Shida
Rating: 2.5/5
WWE NXT
Ember Moon vs Dakota Kai
I'm happy that Dakota Kai won, as it is clear she needed the win more, but it is obvious that NXT's women's division has faltered as of late. A GTK was the finish of the match, giving Kai the pinfall victory, but neither woman impressed.
Winner: Dakota Kai
Rating: 2.5/5
Gigi Dolin vs Sarray
Squash City! But I wish Sarray had more to to chew on in NXT.
Winner: Sarray
Rating: 2/5
Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter vs Jessi Kamea & Aliyah
Squash City! If Aliyah is to be moving up to Raw as expected, I wish her the best of luck, because she most certainly needs it!
Winner: Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter
Rating: 2/5
AEW Dark
Diamante vs Harlow O’Hara
Squash City!
Winner: Diamante
Rating: 2/5
Sahara Seven vs Big Swole
Squash City
Winner: Big Swole
Rating: 2/5
Penelope Ford vs Robyn Renegade
Squash City!
Winner: Penelope Ford
Rating: 2/5
Madi Wrenkowski vs Julia Hart
Squash City!
Winner: Julia Hart
Rating: 2/5
AEW Wednesday Night Dynamite: Fyter Fest Night 1
Yuka Sakazaki vs Penelope Ford
Penelope Ford didn't really make an impression on this match, as it was essentially a showcase for Yuka Sakazaki. The Japanese star showed she should at least be considered as a threat to Britt Baker and her AEW Women's Championship.
Winner: Yuka Sakazaki
Rating: 2/5
Impact Wrestling
Tenille Dashwood & Kaleb vs Jordynne Grace & Rachael Ellering
The very definition of average and unremarkable.
Winner: Jordynne Grace & Rachael Ellering
Rating: 2/5
Tasha Steelz vs Havok
This was a standard Knockout's match, but at least that quality in 2021 is better than 2020. Havok looked strong, whilst Tasha Steelz looked better than she has for a while.
Winner: Havok
Rating: 2.5/5
WWE NXT UK
Meiko Satomura vs Amale
This match appeared to be going the way of a squash early on, but Amale found some strength and courage to take the fight to Meiko Satomura. The NXT UK Women's Championship failed to change hands, with Satomura ending the contest with a Scorpion Rising. All in all, this was a solid contest.
Winner: Meiko Satomura
Rating: 3/5
WWE Friday Night SmackDown
Bianca Belair vs Carmella
Carmella is no Bayley in terms of talent, however, she certainly does have an air of arrogance about her that fits well as a challenge to Bianca Belair's SmackDown Women's Championship.
Carmella tried hard, but she fell to a KOD as Belair retained. The Most Beautiful Woman in WWE has managed to score a rematch next week, claiming she didn't have enough time to prepare, in addition to Belair's hair being used as a weapon. This was a fair match, but I hope they bring something more next week.
Winner: Bianca Belair
Rating: 2.5/5
Natalya & Tamina vs Shotzi & Nox
This served it's purpose well to put Shotzi and Nox over, but I could have done without the frankly torturous actions and distractions from Liv Morgan and Zelina Vega.
Winner: Shotzi & Nox
Rating: 2/5
Impact Wrestling Slammiversary 2021
Deonna Purrazzo vs Thunder Rosa
Thunder Rosa was a superb option to take on Deonna Purrazzo, as she has enjoyed one of the strongest 18 months in recent memory. Rosa got the most out of Purrazzo, which means I'm not even angry that she ultimately retained with a Queen's Gambit. This version of Purrazzo is what the Knockout's division needs.
Winner: Deonna Purrazzo
Rating: 3.5/5
WWE Money in the Bank 2021
Asuka vs Naomi vs Alexa Bliss vs Nikki A.S.H. vs Liv Morgan vs Zelina Vega vs Natalya vs Tamina
Whilst not as good as previous iterations, it was still fairly entertaining. Liv Morgan seemed primed to win, only for Nikki A.S.H. to steal the briefcase from everyone involved. What I hated, however, was the silly antics involving Alexa Bliss. This just needs to end as soon as possible!
Winner: Nikki A.S.H.
Rating: 2/5
Rhea Ripley vs Charlotte Flair
Both women beat the living shit out of each other here, with Charlotte Flair triumphing by targeting Rhea Ripley's legs, submitting her to a Figure Eight. I loved the viciousness on display here, but I do feel that this was not the time to put the belt back on Flair. I assume Becky Lynch is coming back fairly soon, but all this means is Ripley may be lost in the shuffle. That aside, this was a fabulous match!
Winner: Charlotte Flair
Rating: 4.5/5
MATCH OF THE WEEK:
Rhea Ripley vs Charlotte Flair
Simply put, this match was utterly fantastic.
WOMAN OF THE WEEK:
Nikki A.S.H.
Winning the women's Money in the Bank briefcase against all odds is a fantastic acheivement, and hopefully this will lead to a future Women's Championship reign for one of WWE's more underrated stars.
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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