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 GFW's Knockouts, Lucha Underground's luchadoras, and even a glimpse at the women on the independent circuit.



Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax

The crowd came alive for Sasha Banks and Nia Jax's clash for the chance to challenge Alexa Bliss at SummerSlam, and with good reason: these two familiar foes tore the house down. Jax started off strong when Sasha failed to get an early flurry of offense in, but Banks managed to stay alive through relentless strikes and a Samoan Drop. Banks had to get creative to get control of the match, improvising a kick into the turnbuckle from a failed sunset slip from the ropes and finally forcing Jax into the Banks Statement for the victory.

Sasha Banks and Nia Jax have faced each other many times, but something about this time clicked in a way that they haven't really before. Perhaps it was the stakes, or perhaps it's simply a testament to how much Jax particularly has improved. It doesn't matter either way. Banks was the right choice to win, and in her hometown no less! She and Bliss should steal the show on Sunday.

Winner: Sasha Banks
Rating: 3.5/5

Emma vs. Mickie James

Emma and Mickie managed to fit a lot of snappy offense into a fairly short and forgettable match that ended with Mickie taking the win with a Mick Kick. The match itself was enjoyable, but the rivalry between the two has come out of nowhere for those of us who don't regularly watch Main Event.

Winner: Mickie James
Rating: 2/5



Becky Lynch vs. Natalya

Before her first title shot in months, Natalya faced a difficult opponent in the first ever SmackDown Women's Champion: Becky Lynch. The two wrestled a very technical match that was reminiscent of their feud from early 2016. Lynch was hot for much of it, but Nattie managed to work her way out of a Dis-Arm Her and lock in the Sharpshooter for the win. She refused to let it go, prompting Naomi, who was on commentary, to make the rescue. Carmella came out to talk trash and end the segment.

With Corbin's failure to cash in, Carmella is the biggest wildcard going into SummerSlam. Whether or not she is ready to be champion is unclear, but her run with the briefcase has been fun and she has takent he opportunity and run with it for all that it is worth.

Winner: Natalya
Rating: 2/5




Sienna vs. Gail Kim (GFW/Knockouts Title match)

Looks like gail Kim still has some unfinished business after interference from her familiar foe Taryn Terrell cost her the Knockouts Championship.

The match was short, but the implications of another feud between Kim and Terrell have me very excited to see how GFW sends Kim off into the sunset.

Winner: Sienna
Rating: 2/5



Ruby Riot vs. Billie Kay

Following an explosive contract signing between Ember Moon and NXT Women's Champion Asuka, Ruby Riot took on Kay after she and Peyton Royce disparaged her sweet tattoos on last week's NXT.

Expert heel work and limb targeting by Kay made things hazy for a while, but Riot fought back with classic babyface fire and earned a win with a beautifully crisp bicycle kick.

Riot and Kay both are left in a state of limbo until Asuka leaves NXT and the championship picture opens up a little, but they are doing well with themselves in the interim.

Winner: Ruby Riot
Rating: 3/5

WWE NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn

Asuka vs. Ember Moon (NXT Women's Championship match)

What a night for women's wrestling. Before I get into the title match, I must mention the incredible bump Nikki Cross took as she was sandwiched through a table by Killian Dain in a moment of glorious sacrifice for SAnitY's victory. She proved instrumental in her faction earning the tag team titles, and with her antics, their reign should prove exciting, even if it is overshadowed by the boys from ROH.

After a bumpy start, Ember Moon's quest to dethrone Asuka become explosive, bringing the Brooklyn crowd to its feet with one of the most masterfully executed and exciting ending sequences I've seen in a long time. Asuka targeted Ember Moon's sensitive left arm throughout the match, and in a stunning display of fortitude, became the first and only woman to kick out from the Eclipse. It was an Asuka Lock that finally forced Moon to tap, leaving the crowd alight with energy and shock, and now begs the question: what next?

If you ask me, this was the true main event of the evening. The crowd, which was exhausted from the exceptional matches from earlier in the night, was dead for the start, but when Ember and Asuka slowed it down,, chants erupted, and the real action started. 

With the Mae Young Classic, and its finale, coming up, NXT might very well be forced to look there to find the woman to defeat the undefeated Empress of Tomorrow. Perhaps...a certain pirate princess?

Winner: Asuka

Rating: 4.75/5

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

Canadian Wrestling's Elite

Match: Jordynne Grace vs. Kelly Klein
Winner: Jordynne Grace

PROGRESS

Match: Dakota Kai vs. Deonna Purrazzo & Jinny
Winner: Dakota Kai

STARDOM

Match: Mayu Iwatani vs. Kagetsu (World of Stardom title match)
Winner: Mayu Iwatani


I purposefully did not choose a match of the week before TakeOver because I had this gut feeling that Asuka and Ember Moon's war in Brooklyn would blow everything out of the water. I was right. Asuka and Ember Moon's wild chemistry was out in spades as Asuka asserted her place as the top monster in NXT and Ember Moon emerged as a fully fledged star.


The streak continues. Asuka is the face of NXT and has shattered records and glass ceilings both. She's not even on the main roster yet, and her legacy has been cemented. And after tonight, the breaking of her streak is not a matter of when...but IF.

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!