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.



Absolution & Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley, Sasha Banks & Mickie James

After Bayley helped Sasha Banks set up a wicked Banks Statement to win their team the match, chaos broke out. In the end, Alexa Bliss and Mickie James reunited their SmackDown dynamic duo to inflict damage on all of their opponents and walk up the ramp celebrating together.

Shoutout to WWE for once again putting the ladies in the main event. As chaotic as things got, they did a good job closing the show. I'm intrigued by James returning to Bliss, but the turn still feels a little lacking in motivation. I suppose we'll see.

Winners: Bayley, Sasha Banks & Mickie James
Rating: 2/5



The Riott Squad vs. Charlotte, Naomi & Becky Lynch

Yeah...six-woman tag...

You know what, screw it, this booking doesn't even deserve another rant from me!

The match itself was as good as a match you've seen a hundred times can be. It still blows my mind that Becky Lynch isn't utilized more on this roster. I'm hoping that having her eat pins is leading somewhere...

Winner: The Riott Squad
Rating: 2/5



Nikki Cross vs. Vanessa Borne

Oh, Nikki Cross, how we've missed you! The wonderful thing about NXT and its limited screen time is that it takes a lot to make me tired of someone. And in the case of Nikki Cross, it made me ridiculously excited to see her and her wild unpredictability once more grace the squared circle.

This match didn't last too long, because all it took was Nikki Cross going crazy and that was all she wrote! Cross picked up a no-brainer victory. Time will tell where that victory takes her.

Winner: Nikki Cross
Rating: 2.5/5



Raw Women's Championship Elimination Chamber Match: Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Bayley vs. Mandy Rose vs. Mickie James vs. Sasha Banks vs. Sonya Deville

Okay, wow, where do we begin? First off, it's really cool to see how much fun the women are having getting to wrestle in cages, rumbles and chambers. Special matches like this allow them to get creative with their respective movesets, and boy did they deliver.

I don't usually care much for the elimination chamber in and of itself, but what WWE got right with this one was focusing on individual stories within the match itself. Sasha turned on Bayley in her desperation to pull away with a victory. Mickie James never got the chance to help Alexa Bliss, who capitalized on entering last. Bliss hit Twisted Bliss from a pod. There was so much to be excited about in this one match.

Following the match, Bliss destroyed the crowd with her words, as one does, and left victorious.

Winner: Alexa Bliss
Rating: 3.5/5


Asuka vs. Nia Jax

Look, I get the whole "let's make Nia look strong" thing. But really, if WWE was going to do that, they shouldn't have had her tap out to Sasha Banks last year. I don't care how much of a fight she puts up against Asuka, who has beaten her multiple times already, having her look so competitive against Asuka only weakens Asuka and does nothing to instill any sort of belief in me that WWE is fully invested in her.

Nia is good, but WWE can't lose focus on Asuka.

Asuka walked away victorious after a rollup preserved her streak, but was subjected to a vicious beatdown by Jax following her victory as Bliss watched from backstage.

Sigh.

Winner: Asuka
Rating: 2.5/5


Bad Reputation

There's three things you need to know about Ronda Rousey's contract signing:

1. She's not spectacular on the mic. WWE would be smart to give her a good mouthpiece or let her fists do the talking lest she lose some of her appeal.
2. Rousey wants to be with WWE. Her fandom is clear. Now, I'd be more impressed if she worked house shows, but hey, you win some and you lose some.
3. She's a star. Like it or not, and no matter how you feel about her personally, she is a household name whose very presence still carries a lot of weight. WWE knows this and will capitalize on her fame as much as possible, even if others have worked harder and longer to get to WWE. It's just business.

WWE was smart to have Rousey demolish Triple H. It popped the crowd and let Rousey do what she does best: beat people to a pulp. We'll see how this all plays out in the coming weeks.



Asuka, Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Alexa Bliss, Mickie James & Nia Jax

Oh tag matches, tag matches, how I loathe thee.

Following a lengthy promo that, of course, devolved into chaos, good and evil collided in a match that...means absolutely nothing. Whatever.

Anyways, the interesting thing about this match was Bayley leaving Sasha Banks out int he cold by abandoning her former (?) friend when she came for a tag. Luckily for them, Asuka was able to secure them a victory by submitting Mickie James. I'm glad to see WWE moving this Bayley/Sasha stuff along. I'm excited to see where it leads.

Winners: Asuka, Bayley & Sasha Banks
Rating: 3/5


Ronda Rousey does Ronda Rousey things

After Stephanie McMahon and Triple H brought Rousey and Angle out to clear the air following Rousey's chaotic signing, Stephanie made the mistake of going for a power play over Rousey. But here's the thing: Ronda Rousey fears no mortal, and Stephanie ended up apologizing to Rousey before Triple H sucker punched Kurt Angle.

....alrighty then.



Naomi vs. The Ruby Riott

Still no discernible plot in sight, but hopefully Fastlane will lead to some sort of storyline aside from rUBY RiOTT wANTs tO WiN MATCHES wITh hEr CheATING SquAD.

Sorry, that was a bit dramatic. Let's start again, shall we?

Ruby Riott controlled most of this match despite trademark resilience from Naomi, but that resilience wasn't enough. Riott won handily, but she and her squad were forced to retreat when Charlotte and Becky Lynch emerged to keep them from ambushing Naomi.

Winner: Ruby Riott
Rating: 2/5



Kairi Sane vs. Shayna Baszler

Look out, folks. WWE might be stealthily setting up a thrilling rivalry for when Ember Moon eventually moves up to the main roster. We know Shayna Baszler and Kairi Sane's history from the Mae Young Classic. They're each other's polar opposites in every way but one: they know how to put on fights.

Sane remained competitive throughout the match, but when she went up to hit her elbow drop, Baszler knocked her down and forced her to submit with her suplex into a rear-naked choke. And woof, that move is just as brutal every time I see it. Shayna Baszler is an absolute beast.

Winner: Shayna Baszler
Rating: 3.5/5



Rosemary vs. Hania (No DQ)

Honestly, the match itself was nothing to tell your mother about. Rosemary won handily, controlling most of the match the kind of dominance we've come to expect from our favorite freak. But what happened after? Now that's what I'm here for...

Taya Valkyrie's back! And she wants some of Rosemary! Valkyrie called Rosemary, and I quote, her "Bitch," and after I picked up my jaw from the ground, she ambushed Rosemary from behind, re-igniting their electric feud. GFW, good on you.

Elsewhere...Laurel Van Ness married her title? I don't know, I was very confused, but she faces Allie next week in a title match, so there's that!

Winner: Rosemary
Rating: 2/5



Duh.

This match has the "historic" factor, but it was also stocked full of storytelling, daredevil physicality and high-flying action. Each performer delivered, and the crowd was entertained. Can't ask for anything better than that!


I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the biggest fan of Rousey, but even I cannot deny her star factor was present in every segment she was in. And she demolished Triple H.

That was just...really cool.

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!