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

In case you're wondering about the time jump from 167 to 169, I was in Des Moines attending a theatre festival and writing reviews! If you'd like to catch a peek, you can find my work here! Also, as a little side-note, Fly Eagles Fly! This Philly fan is about as thrilled as a fan can be, and shoutout to Nikki Bella for siding with the underdogs and coming out on top! Sorry, Sasha Banks, maybe next year!


Royal Rumble Match

There's no organized way to recap the Royal Rumble, but let's start with this: WWE stuck to its guns and put the women in the main event. It let them shine and it let them close the show. That's speaking with your actions, and not just touting a tired slogan or a false impression of equality. The women got their moment, and they did not disappoint the notoriously smarky Philadelphia crowd.

The Rumble paid tribute to the trailblazers who worked in times of pudding matches and endless objectification. We saw the returns of Lita, Molly Holly, Jacqueline, Michelle McCool, Vicki Guerrero, Kelly Kelly, Beth Phoenix, Torrie Wilson and Trish Stratus. Each woman had a moment of action, including a double moonsault from Lita, a Stratus/James standoff, McCool clearing house...it was spectacular.

Asuka winning was absolutely the right decision, but the action didn't stop there. Ronda Rowsey emerged and pointed squarely at the WrestleMania sign, challenging anyone to a match (I guess?) and shaking Stephanie McMahon's hand to close the show.

Winner: Asuka
Rating: 5/5



Asuka vs. Sasha Banks

Sasha Banks has lost some of her luster, and she knows it. And she is determined to take back her swagger come hell or high water. She challenged Asuka, and the two women put on what commentary called an instant classic. I'll have to say that I agree; the women battled with extreme skill and a lot of fun intensity. In the end, Banks went for her submission, but Asuka survived long enough to reverse it into the Asuka Lock.

What a great way to begin edging Banks back towards the dark side. Increasing Banks' desperation against Asuka by shoving failure in her face creates a very engaging story.

Winner: Asuka
Rating: 3/5


So close...

Carmella WOULD have cashed in on Charlotte...but distractions from the Riott Squad caused her to knock the referee out before she could cash in.

She fled. No one wants an angry Charlotte.



Nikki Cross vs. Lacey Evans

So here's the thing: this is the fight I never knew I needed. These two characters are so different from each other, and it was violent from the bell's first ring. Nikki Cross wailed on Lacey Evans, who fought back with as much as she had. But in the end, this wasn't a true contest. Cross had to be dragged away from the violence after she won, and it. Was. Beautiful.

Winner: Lacey Evans
Rating: 2/5

GFW Impact Wrestling

Laurel Van Ness vs. Kiera Hogan

Laurel controlled most of the match, but a mouthy distraction from Allie let newcomer Kiera to roll Laurel up for a surprise pinfall victory.

Well. Okay.

Kiera gets a title shot next week!

Winner: Kiera Hogan

Rating: 1/5

WOMEN'S
ROYAL
RUMBLE!


I'll be honest, I have mixed feelings about giving this to Rousey when Asuka won the Rumble. Asuka dedicated her life to wrestling, has paid her dues and is the future of the company week in and week out. I'm not the biggest fan of Rousey, personally. But I cannot ignore how big it is that she's arrived in WWE. Hopefully, she helps elevate the women around her and doesn't steal their spotlight.

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!