WWE Monday Night Raw
Absolution vs. Bayley, Sasha Banks & Mickie James
Paige and Sasha started off the action in what is now an all-too-familiar matchup on the red brand. But Sonya Deville managed to see a lot of ring action this week too, fighting off Sasha Banks to tag Paige for a hot tag that proved decisive in the match. Deville saved a pin attempt and Absolution stole the victory with a Rampaige to Bayley.
Later on in the show, Alexa Bliss came to the ring to declare 2017 her year (accurate) but was then murdered by a kick courtesy of the Empress of Tomorrow: Asuka. Yeah, Asuka knows the Royal Rumble is hers to dominate, and no talking from the champ will scare her into submission.
It still feels surreal to think about there being a women's Royal Rumble. I honestly never expected we'd see one. But WWE has done a great job of building its women, even if their booking of Raw's women's division as a whole has been inconsistent. Individually, however, their women are looking stronger than ever. Even Dana Brooke and Alicia Fox have depth now!
Merry Christmas to us indeed!
Winners: Absolution
Rating: 3/5
WWE SmackDown
Naomi vs. Ruby Riott
Ruby Riott is not here to play.
A quick distraction by Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan allowed her to very quickly pin Naomi and declare herself an entrant in the Royal Rumble. Following the match, she and her squad began to beat Naomi down until Charlotte Flair ran out for the save. The numbers game looked to be in the favor of the Riott Squad until Natalya, Tamina and Lana came out to attack their nemeses. The women fought but the Riott Squad soon retreated.
Strong showing from Riott, who is emerging as an unsurprising superstar in the group she leads. She continues to prove to be reliable and charismatic in her new role, and she's sure to make waves in the Rumble next month.
Winner: Ruby Riott
Rating: 2/5
WWE NXT
Ember Moon vs. Sonya Deville (NXT Women's Championship match)
Okay, so apparently that match from a few weeks back had real implications and consequences? Huzzah! Dilly dilly! Sonya Deville earned a shot against Ember Moon for the prestigious title, and both women delivered an exciting match that let Deville show some tricks in her arsenal before, of course, falling to the Eclipse.
After the match, Kairi Sane emerged and just pointed at the championship. Ember Moon, still in the ring, nodded in response. But wait, there's more!
Enter Shayna Baszler. The Mae Young Classic runner-up, all deadly strikes and unbridled fury, attacked Sane from behind, locking in her chokehold until she was forced off her old rival. She stared down Moon while officials tended to Sane. Later, Moon said she'll take on either one of them any day of the week.
Winner: Ember Moon
Rating: 3.5/5
International Corner:
This section includes recaps of matches from around the world in various lesser-known independent promotions throughout the week.
NOVA Pro Wrestling
Match: Faye Jackson vs. Veda Scott
Winner: Faye Jackson
Atlanta Wrestling Entertainment
Match: Kamilla Kaine vs. Priscilla Kelly
Winner: Kamilla Kaine
STARDOM
Match: Io Shirai vs. HZK
Winner: Io Shirai
MATCH OF THE WEEK:
Ember Moon vs. Sonya Deville
Ember Moon vs. Sonya Deville
Ember Moon is so much fun to watch. She's interesting and engaging int he ring, even though she's still fleshing out her character for everything else. She and Deville put on a fun match, and the Eclipse remains one of the most dynamic and deadly finishing moves in WWE.
WOMAN OF THE WEEK:
Shayna Baszler
Shayna Baszler
SHAYNAAAAA! Forget Rousey, Baszler is the MMA Horsewoman with the wrestling experience and badassery that made her such a force on the independent circuit. Shayna will be right at home on NXT with an audience that will love to hate her as she doggedly pursues gold to wear around her waist.
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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