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.


Natalya vs. Charlotte Flair (SmackDown Women's Championship match)

Flair and Natalya made history at Hell in a Cell by being the first women to face each other for every WWE championship women can vie for: the NXT Women's Championship, the now-retired Diva's Championship and the RAW and SmackDown Women's Championships. Their bout, up until the end, was a worthy one for such an honor. Natalya was as technically sound as she always is and Flair's strikes and chops echoed throughout the arena despite a worked knee injury. Flair put up quite the fight, even hitting a stunning moonsault out of the ring, but Natalya retreated, grabbing a steel chair to hit Charlotte, disqualifying herself but retaining her championship.

I can't help but be disappointed with the ending. It makes sense story-wise, but I imagine the crowd that paid for a pay-per-view were unhappy to receive a television-style ending. It lessened the match's impact. That said, the animosity between the two has now elevated, and I look forward to seeing where their feud goes from here.

Winner: Charlotte Flair
Rating: 3/5


Sasha Banks vs. Emma vs. Bayley vs. Alicia Fox vs. Dana Brooke (Elimination match)

Earlier in the night, Mickie James and Alexa Bliss brawled after Bliss continued to, for some reason, insult Mickie James for being in her late thirties. Goodness, I can't believe I only have a bit over a decade to go until I'm elderly! Time sure flies when you're a woman!

The winner of this week's women's free-for-all would get the chance to face off against the debuting Asuka at TLC. All of the women wanted a piece of the undefeated Empress of Tomorrow, so they fought for the opportunity. Emma attempted to ally with Fox, but the Foxy One decided Bayley would make a better ally, while Dana Brooke found common ground with Banks. However, that didn't last long, as Bayley eliminated Brooke. Banks and Bayley brawled shortly, but Fox was the one who took advantage, eliminating Bayley. Banks took out Fox with the Banks Statement after Fox formed an uneasy alliance with Emma, but fell to Emma, who rolled her up with a schoolboy.

Emma and Asuka have faced off before. It was fantastic. Emma is a reliable worker who, when given the opportunity, can put on stellar matches. It's for the best that they are saving potential matches with Banks and co. for other events. Matches like those deserve fleshed out stories.

Winner: Emma
Rating: 3/5



Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch vs. Carmella & Natalya

After a backstage brawl broke out between Charlotte and Natalya, Carmella began talking smack, setting up a match between Ms. Money in the Bank herself and Becky Lynch. Also in the segment, we were reminded that Tamina and Lana still have their eyes on that blue belt.

Despite interference by Becky's most hilarious nemesis James Ellsworth, Lynch managed to make a strong comeback to submit Carmella in fairly short order. This is an encouraging development that serves to remind us all that Becky Lynch, the first SmackDown Women's Champion, can still go and should not be forgotten as 2017 nears its closing stretch.

Winner: Becky Lynch
Rating: 2.5/5



Peyton Royce vs. Nikki Cross vs. Liv Morgan

Looks like the Undisputed Era don't just stick their beautiful heads in the men's business. This week, they interfered in the women's division as Peyton Royce, Nikki Cross and Liv Morgan faced off for a spot in the NXT Women's Championship Fatal Four Way at NXT Takeover: WarGames.

During the match, Taynara Conti was brought in to distract Nikki Cross herself, first by preventing her from making a cover, and then baiting her into a spinning heel kick from Peyton Royce, who got her covered for the three-count. Poor Conti. Nikki is going to destroy her.

Winner: Peyton Royce
Rating: 3/5



Rosemary vs. Hannah Harper

Red Wedding, three-count, the crowd goes wild.

Afterwards, Taya Valkyrie entered...and straight-up misted Rosemary. Bond for Glory has one hell of a match in store if these two women are allowed to go the way they've proven time and time again that they can.

Winner: Rosemary
Rating: 1/5

Sienna, Caleb Konley, & Texano vs. Allie, Dezmond Xavier, & James Storm

I'm not sure if this was an intergender match, but either way, Sienna was a dominating force throughout. She broke up a pin, and Allie didn't let her take all of the glory, hitting a Codebreaker on poor Texano. James Storm picked up the win for the babyfaces.

Allie and Sienna have developed quite the chemistry as Allie has been eased into a more regular televised wrestling role. She's a natural wrestler and is so easy to root for. Sienna, in contrast, continues to be a deliciously detestable heel. If GFW decides to pursue a long-term (I'm talking months and months here) title feud between these two, I would be thrilled.

Winners: Allie, Dezmond Xavier, & James Storm
Rating: 2.5/5

Lucha Underground

Taya Valkyrie vs. Sexy Star (Last Luchadora Standing match)

Hindsight gives this pre-taped bloodbath an added intensity as real-life rivals Taya Valkyrie and Sexy Star went to war in a battle that was high-impact from start to finish. Taya used a baseball bat and brass knuckles to start, while Star had some brass of her own. This wasn't even the tip of the iceberg.

The women exchanged stiff blows and took wild bumps. Taya began to bleed after Star dragged her face against steel fencing and took a nasty bump into some chairs after Star dodged a charge. They smashed into the arena's upper railings. And, of course, they careened through a tower of tables.  Sexy Star managed to stand as the referee counted "eight" and won the match.

This was more a fight than a wrestling match, but both women told a phenomenal story and Valkyrie, especially, took some phenomenal bumps. Lucha Underground once again showed that it's not afraid to let its ladies take risks and be truly badass.

Winner: Sexy Star

Rating: 3.5/5

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

Tokyo Joshi Pro

Match: Yuu vs. Yuki Kamifuki (DDT Iron Man Heavy Metal title match)
Winner: Yuu

New Age Wrestling

Match: Kellyanne vs. Jasmin
Winner: Kellyanne

Westside Xtreme Wrestling

Match: Toni Storm vs. Viper (WxW Femme Fatales 2017 Tournament Finals)
Winner: Toni Storm



i would have given this matcha  higher rating, but it was more of a fight than a match. That said, I wouldn't take anything away from both women, who accomplished so much in the buildup to this match. It was a wonderful, gut-wrenching brawl that was a highlight on an already-stacked show.


Valkyrie, now making her presence known on Impact in a feud with Rosemary, took the biggest bumps of the match. She bled. She battled her way into a loss that still made her look like the biggest star. If that doesn't impress you, I don't know what will.

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! Also, come back next week for a full breakdown of the Mae Young Classic's first round of episodes and matches.